Page 78 of Crazy Imperfect Hearts

Ava looks up from Teddy and cocks her head. “But he came in for coffee Saturday morning. There are two other coffee shops closer to his apartment.”

“Maybe he just likes yours.” I hold up my cup. “It is the best.”

She eyes me curiously. “But he said he doesn’t kiss and tell.”

“Maybe he was kissing someone else?” I say, trying to sound uninterested. “I hear Olivia Weston is back in town.”

Now both of my friends are eyeing me suspiciously.

“What aren’t you telling us?” Maddie asks. “You have a strange look on your face. And you seemed so set on that whole friends-with-benefits thing with him. What’s up, Regan?”

“Nothing. It’s nothing. I just changed my mind.”

It’s not a lie. Ididchange my mind. I’m just choosing to leave out the part where Lucas Montana may or may not be about to be my baby daddy. My heart skips a beat wondering if he already is. If not, it won’t be for a lack of trying.

Four times in four days. And if the size of his cock is any indication, he may pack more of a punch in the spermdepartment. I almost smile remembering what he told me about being tested and having ‘scored’ well.

This really could be happening.

“That right there.” Maddie points to my face. “What is going on with you that you won’t—”

“Hey ladies!” Serenity sings, walking up arm-in-arm with Amber.

My eyes automatically go to Amber’s flat belly that reveals nothing.

Nikki and Dakota cross the parking lot heading our way.

“Willow!” Amber calls, waving her over.

“Amber’s definitely knocked up,” Ava whispers into my ear.

I grab her hand and give it a supportive squeeze. I know that every pregnancy in this town, every baby, is like another shard being driven into her heart. I feel guilty about what it will do to her if and when I have my own news to announce. I think Ava believes she’s safe with me. That because I’m not married and don’t have a boyfriend, I’ll likely never get pregnant. And I’ve pretty much told them I’m not the mother type. She probably thinks that if it doesn’t happen for her and Trevor that at least she’ll have me.

Guilt over what I’m doing crawls up my spine. Maybe I should tell her. Prepare her for what might happen.

Or what might not,I remind myself.

And that’s reason enough not to say something about it.

When all of us are settled around the picnic table, and we’re expectantly looking at Amber, she beams with a smile. “I have exciting news.”

“I knew it!” Dakota exclaims.

Amber shakes her head. “I’m not pregnant, if that’s what you were thinking.”

“Oh,” Dakota says, her brows knitting together, as are all of ours. All but Maddie’s.

“But we are having a baby,” Amber says. “I was waiting to say anything until we were sure. We’re adopting.” She bounces up and down. “Eeek! I can’t believe it. And it’s a boy. He’s due next month.”

All jaws hang open with the exception of Maddie’s, who obviously knew. It’s not the news the rest of us were expecting. Then again, this is Amber Thompson. As an adoptee herself, and already mother to one adopted child, this shouldn’t come as a surprise.

“Well?” Amber says. “What do you think?”

Simultaneously, everyone stands and moves to take turns hugging her.

Questions and comments get rapid-fired.

“We’re so happy for you!”

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