Page 10 of Craving You

“When you say you threw caution to the wind, does that mean you didn’t use any…”

“Of course we did! I’m not stupid, Sloane! I’ve been on birth control since I was seventeen. But you know nothing’s one hundred percent accurate.”

“I guess.” They ate in companionable silence for a few minutes before Sloane asked, “Are you going to call him? Do you think you’ll tell Mom and Dad first? Have you thought about how you’re going to tell them that your dirty weekend guy got you pregnant?”

Rolling her eyes, she snapped. “His name is Max, okay? It’s incredibly offensive when you talk about him like he’s some nameless nobody. And for the record, I plan on telling Max before Mom and Dad. That just seems fair.”

“Fine, but just think about this—are there ever any secrets in this family? Don’t you think that picture of you is going to be the topic of conversation around the family? If Billie shows everyone her wedding photos, everyone’s going to see the one of you and Max. Then Uncle Ronan will say something to Dad, Dad will say something to Mom, and…”

“And I’m going to have to answer a ton of questions,” she said with a sigh. “I’m just going to play it by ear. I have no idea what’s being said and until I do, I’m sticking with my plan.” She took a forkful of penne. “Oh, and Billie said there’s a town festival coming up.” Turning her head, she grinned. “With a kissing booth.”

Sloane’s eyes lit up. “So…if I go up for the festival, will you go with me?” she asked, handing the phone back to Hailey.

She stared at the photo again and her heart did a little flip. He was so sexy and handsome and if it weren’t for logistics, she had to wonder where they’d be right now.

“Hales?”

“Sure. Plus, for all we know, I might be spending more time up in Sweetbriar Ridge once I tell Max about the baby.”

Frowning, Sloane nodded. “I guess that would make sense. And you had been saying how much you’d like to move there.” Her shoulders sagged. “Part of me thought I’d talk you out of it at some point, but it looks like that’s not really an option anymore.”

Reaching across the table, she gently squeezed her sister’s hand. “Sloane…come on. Don’t be like that. We don’t know how any of this is going to go and, believe me, this isn’t the direction I thought my life would go. But…”

She was interrupted by the sound of the doorbell.

“Were you expecting anyone?” Sloane asked.

“No, but I ordered some new yoga blocks. I’m sure it’s just FedEx. I’ll be right back.” Wiping her mouth, she stood and made her way to the door. “The spa always gets them for me to use in class, but I’m a little picky about the ones I use myself.”

“That makes sense.”

But when she opened the door, there were no boxes or delivery guy, but her mother was standing there looking more than a little peeved.

“Mom? Hey! What are you doing here?”

Her mother responded by holding her phone up, practically in Hailey’s face. “Hailey Shae Donovan! What in the world were you doing with the groom’s brother at Billie’s wedding?”

And before she could answer, her mother stormed past her into the house.

“Okay, I guess we’re doing this,” she mumbled before closing the door and following her. “I don’t understand what the big deal is. So I kissed the groom’s brother? So what?”

Sloane coughed so hard she almost choked.

“For goodness’ sake, Hailey!” her mother admonished. “You were at a family wedding, and you look like some…some…hussy the way you are wrapped around that man! What were you thinking?”

That I wanted to rip his tux off…

But instead, she replied, “I was thinking that an attractive man and I were dancing and flirting. It’s not like we asked the photographer to take pictures of us, Mom. Jeez.” Sitting back down, she motioned to the table. “Why don’t you grab a plate and join us? Sloane brought more than enough.”

Their mother glared at both of them and you could have heard a pin drop. Hailey glanced across the table and saw how Sloane was trying hard not to laugh.

“Fine. But we’re not done talking about this!” And as her mother went to get herself a plate, she kept mumbling about how they were the talk of the entire Donovan clan and how everyone knew her older daughter was a floozy.

“Tell her you’re pregnant,” Sloane whispered. “That will make the whole floozy thing seem like it’s no big deal!”

“Are you insane?” she hissed, kicking her under the table.

“Ow!”

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