Page 94 of Crazy Imperfect Hearts

“Not that reporter lady, the one who keeps trying to get an interview with you. She definitely looks at you with fuck-me eyes.”

He chuckles and leans over to take a sip of water from the bottle on his nightstand.

While staring at his back, I feel a strange twinge deep inside me. For a moment—just one brief second—I wonder if that feeling is jealousy. I shake it away as quickly as it came. Becausethat’s ridiculous. Anything I’m feeling right now would simply be a product of my hormones.

I start to get up but realize I’m sore in places I didn’t even know had muscles.

“I don’t think I can move,” I say, resting my head against a pillow.

“Then stay.” He clears his throat, and I could swear he mumbles, “Bad idea, Montana,” right before taking another drink.

“Stay?” I bring a hand to cover my heart in mockery. “And violate our contract with a forbidden overnight visit?”

I’m joking. But internally, something shifts.Would Iwantto stay?

Maybe morning sex with Lucas wouldn’t be the worst thing. But it’s an epically bad idea on so many levels.

“I wouldn’t want to have to explain myself to Ryder. Speaking of which, did you know he’s trying to clean up my ledgers? I think you and he are cut from the same cloth. He’s much more organized than I am. How we share the same DNA surprises me.”

“He’s always had a good head for business. I knew that about him even back in college.”

I turn on my side and face him. “You should stop sending me stuff. It’s getting harder to explain it to him. He knows I don’t make a ton of profit at the shop.”

“I’m just trying to make sure my kid is eating healthy.”

I rub my belly. “I’m getting all my fruits and veggies. I’m eating so well I’ve actually lost weight instead of gaining.”

Shocked, he rises back up on an elbow. “Regan, that’s not healthy.”

“It’s perfectly fine. I’ve talked about it with Dr. Russo. I’m not losing weight on purpose. I’m just eating better. And then with all the morning sickness I had, and growing a baby burnsextra calories.” I pat his hand. “Don’t worry, I’m sure the weight will come back soon enough.”

He traps my hand. “Promise me you’re taking care of him. M&M is counting on you.I’mcounting on you.”

There’s deep concern in his eyes. And there’s something else.Love. He’s already acting like a father. He’s protecting his child.

“I promise I’m doing everything I can to keep us both healthy.”

He nods in relief. “Good.”

His hand falls away from mine and I swallow at the brief moment of emptiness I feel. Then I curse my hormones.

“Do you know I offered Ryder a job at the winery?”

I shift in bed. “Really? He didn’t say anything.”

“Probably because he turned me down.”

“Why would he do that? I know he’s been trying to figure his shit out while he waits for the divorce to go through, but why not make some money in the meantime?”

Lucas shrugs. “He says he has a plan and he’s trying to come up with a way to make it happen.”

“Plan? For what?”

“He wouldn’t say.”

“And I can’t ask.” I lean into the pillow and stare at the ceiling. “Otherwise he’d know you and I are talking.”

“We should tell him. Isn’t it safe to tell people now?”

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