Page 73 of While We Waited

Sophia shrugs. “What? She’s been in love with Caleb forever. I figured they’d have a gazillion babies by now.”

“We’re friends,” Maya mumbles.

“I’m friends with Lucas. But I also enjoy getting all sweaty and naked with him. If you get what I mean.” Chloe waggles her eyebrows.

“Ahem.” Paisley clears her throat. “We have business to attend to.”

“We do?” My brow wrinkles. “And why are you standing behind the bar? Chloe never lets any of us stand behind the bar. I don’t remember any meeting planned let alone one with you behind the bar.”

Maya giggles. “Because you have love on the brain.”

“The term is sex on the brain,” Chloe corrects.

“Nope.” Maya motions to my face. “This is the look of a woman in love.”

I’m not in love. I agree I’m falling for Hudson but I’m not there yet. Love is scary and I’m not ready to face the fear.

Sophia leans close to study my face. I swat her away.

“I concur. She’s in love.”

“Another one bites the dust,” Chloe sings.

Maya sighs. “This is the best. My friends are all falling in love.”

“I’m not in love,” I argue.

“You’re not in love? Really?” She rolls her eyes. “You’re having his baby.”

“It was a mistake. I didn’t realize my IUD needed to be replaced.”

“You’re living with him.”

“Because he insisted. He wants to keep me and Sprog safe.”

“You went on a date with him last night.”

I gasp. “You weren’t supposed to tell.”

She snorts. “And you’re not supposed to keep important secrets from us like how Hudson wants to have a relationship with you and built you a nursery.”

“He built you a nursery?” Paisley asks.

“He built the baby a nursery.”

“In his house,” Maya says. “Where he wants you to live with him because you love him.”

I scowl at her. I don’t love Hudson. Do I think the man is sexy? Of course, I do. Every woman and quite a few men agree with me. It’s why he was voted sexiest man in the NFL.

Do I think he’s sweet? How can I not? He wants to take care of me. He cooks for me. He makes sure I don’t have to clean.

Does my heart pound whenever he’s near? To an alarming degree.

Holy smugglers. I love Hudson. How did this happen? I’m supposed to be protecting my heart from him. I won’t survive if he leaves me. It’ll be worse than when Mom died and I barely survived her death.

“Here.” Paisley sets a beer down on the bar in front of me. “You look as if you could use this.”

“I’m pregnant. I can’t drink alcohol.”

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