Page 16 of Crazy Imperfect Hearts

“I’m not one to give advice exactly. After all, I’m married to the ex-quintessential love ‘em and leave ‘em playboy of Calloway Creek. But Regan…four times. And he was with Lissa for a lot of years. If he couldn’t go through with it with her, I fear he never will.”

It’s exactly what I thought she’d say. I turn to Ava. “Your turn.”

“I second all that. He’s almost worse than a manwhore. At least with a playboy, you know what you’re getting and shame on you if you expect anything else. With Lucas though... he’ll suck you in and say all the right things. He’ll give you hope of thatfairy tale relationship all women dream of with the nice, super-hot, rich guy… right up until he breaks your heart. So actually, shame on anyone who would touch that man with a ten-foot pole. Shame onyou, Regan. What were you thinking?”

My eyes flit between them. “Is that it? Are you done?”

“There’s really not much more to say,” Maddie adds. “If you don’t know exactly who Lucas is, that’s on you.”

“It was a one-night stand, guys.”

The looks on their faces tell me they’re about to explode with anger.

“Don’t get your panties in a twist. It wasmyidea… more or less.”

“Oh my god,” Maddie cries.

“It’s not that big a deal. We’re adults and have every right to—”

She grabs my arm. “Not that.” She looks down. “Either my water just broke, or I just peed myself in surprise.”

I fly to my feet and hold out a hand to help her up.

“Wait.” She bats it away. “I want details.”

I flash Maddie the eyes of a crazy woman. “Are you insane? You’re in labor.”

“This could take hours. You had a hookup with Lucas Montana. That’s… so unlike you.”

I shake my head. Her terse expression tells me she’s not going to move until I talk. Behind her head, I put my thumb and pinky to my ear like a phone and mouth, “Call Tag,” to Ava.

Then, knowing a tiny human needs to get out of her, I give Maddie the abridged version.

“I think it was turning thirty-five. It was freeing somehow, knowing I could have a night with zero expectations. And you know what, it was exactly that. We did it, I kicked him out after, and we haven’t so much as talked, texted, or seen each othersince. And I’m totally fine with it. There you have it. Can we get you to the hospital now?”

She brushes me off again. “So that’s it? Wham bam? You’re thirty-five and now you’ve gone all cougar on us?”

I belt out a maniacal laugh. “Yeah, that’s me.” I hadn’t even thought of Lucas’s age. With all he’s been through, he certainly doesn’t seem younger.

“You got your eyes set on anyone else?” Ava says. “I think all Jonah Calloway’s boys are out of high school now.”

I swat her arm. “It’s not like I’m becoming the Mrs. Robinson of Cal Creek. It was a one-time thing.”

“Maybe,” Maddie says, still ignoring the inevitable. “Or maybe turning thirty-five set off some kind of ticking clock inside you.” She rubs her bump. “Ever think of that?”

“Me? Have a kid?” I snort-chuckle. “As if. I’ll leave the baby-rearing to everyone else and enjoy my life as a single cat lady, thank you very much.” I touch Ava’s arm gently. “It’s going to happen for you, I just know it will.”

She nods sadly. This must be so hard for her, especially with Maddie about to deliver.

“Woman!” Tag booms, racing up from his haphazardly parked SUV. “What the hell are you doing sitting here gabbing with your friends when my son clearly wants to come out and meet his mom, dad, and sister?”

“Girl time is important,” she says.

He shakes his head, laughs, then sweeps his wife into his arms like she’s a feather, and lumbers to his car.

“Call us when we can come meet the little guy!” I shout after her.

She gives me a thumbs-up over Tag’s shoulder.

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