Page 36 of Pucking Secret

I turn off her bedroom light and the three of us make our way back downstairs. As Skyler and Grace settle back in the living room, I pop into the kitchen to grab a bottle of wine and three glasses.

“Woohoo!” I declare as I come into the living room. “Big girl time!”

Grace and Skyler pump their fists and quietly cheer. I laugh and open the bottle to pour us each a glass, then I settle into the cushioned chair next to the couch.

Grace tilts her head as she gazes at me, “How are you doing, Stace?”

I know she’s not just asking me about my general wellbeing. Immediately, my mind goes back to the kiss. I’ve been able to think of little else since. It was just so… hot. I get tingleswhenever I remember the way his lips moved over mine and the feel of his hands holding onto me. His big, strong, warm hands…

Releasing a sigh, I say, “I’m fine, just… confused.”

Skyler arches her brow and looks between the two of us. “Confused about what?”

I hesitate and share a look with Grace. Skyler doesn’t know that Owen is Millie’s father. I haven’t told anyone other than Grace, Grandma, and my Mom. I haven’t told a soul about the kiss. I’ve debated telling Grace since it happened—getting some advice about what I should do—but I haven’t had the courage to do so. What if she tells me I’m foolish for even letting it happen? Remind me of how badly he hurt me and how much of a mess I was?

Still, if I can’t talk to my friends about this, how am I going to figure out what I’m supposed to do? I’m too wrapped up in it all—too wrapped up in him. I need a new perspective.

“It’s okay,” Grace says, as if she can read my mind. “You should tell her. You know you can trust her.”

She’s right. I know she’s right. Sucking in a deep breath, I nod and turn to Skyler.

“I need you to swear that you won’t tell anyone what I’m about to tell you. You can’t even tell Carson.”

Skyler raises her brows in surprise and looks to Grace, who gives her an encouraging nod.

“Okay,” Skyler says, meeting my gaze. “I promise.”

I believe her, but I still hesitate. I’ve guarded this secret for so long. The words are hard to summon up.

“Okay,” I finally murmur. “Here’s the thing… Owen, um… well, he’s Millie’s father.”

Skyler’s jaw drops and her eyes go wide behind her glasses.

“What the fuck?” she exclaims. Grace and I quickly shush her. The last thing I need is Millie waking up and wanderingdown into this conversation. “Sorry,” she whispers. “But… what?!”

“I found out I was pregnant right before Owen left for Canada. The night before he left, actually. I tried to tell him - left him a voice message and went to his house and he was just…gone. Then I left Wisconsin and came here to Denver to have Millie before anyone else knew I was expecting. I thought Owen knew about her and was just running away from us, but now…” I think about his reaction when the other guys told him Millie was mine. How shocked he seemed. “I don’t think he actually knew I was pregnant.”

“What?” Grace gasps. “But I was there when you left him the voicemail.”

“What if he never heard it?” I reply. “A lot was going on. Maybe the message didn’t save, or he changed his number without ever listening to it. I’m telling you, Grace, when he found out about Millie the other day, he did not act like he had any idea she existed at all.”

Grace looks stunned, which is totally understandable.

“Holy shit,” she murmurs.

I nod. “Yeah, holy shit. I’ve thought about trying to talk to Owen about Millie, but I’m scared. I’ve researched his stepfather and the Weston family, and they’re powerful with lots of money. He or his family could easily take her from me if they demanded custody, and I don’t have the resources to fight him, nor the financial means to move to Canada.”

Skyler stares at me, stunned. When she doesn’t say anything for several moments, I start to worry that this is going to prove too much for her. That she won’t be able to keep this secret after all.

Finally, she releases a long breath and says, “Holy shit… that’s… a lot, Stace.”

“And that’s not all.” I take a deep breath before admitting, “We, uh, kind of… kissed.”

“What?” Grace and Skyler exclaim nearly in sync.

“When?” Grace asks.

“Where?” Skyler adds.

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