Page 70 of Books and Hookups

“That wasn’t very nice,” Savannah chided Tessa.

“It was an experiment,” Tessa said. “And we all saw the results. Youlikehim, Lucie.”

Feeling like a cornered animal, I lifted my chin. “We’re friends.”

“Friends with combustible sexual chemistry,” Tessa said.

“Which we’re not doing anything about. Anymore,” I amended. “I told you he’s ten years younger. It’d be irresponsible of me to confuse him and let him think anything permanent could happen between us.”

“You’re worried about ten years?” Tessa rolled her eyes. “Ask Carly how her thirteen-year age gap is going.”

“I don’t have to ask,” I muttered, carefully not looking at Carly’s glowing skin that I knew was caused by love and good sex on the regular, not by expensive cosmetics. “But it’s different with the baby. I don’t want him to feel trapped for the rest of his life because of a mistake.” Guilt panged in my abdomen. Why hadn’t I gotten that Plan B like I’d said I would?

“Fucking hell,” Tessa said. “Did your dress justmove?”

“Is the baby kicking?” Savannah asked, her palm hovering over my belly. “Can I touch you?”

“Sure.” So what if it was the baby and not guilt that had kicked me in the gut? I still wouldn’t trap Danny into a relationship at only thirty years old.

Savannah laughed. “Right here! Come on, you two, she’s kicking my hand!”

Carly set her hand where Savannah’s had been. She grinned up at me. “That’s so exciting! We’re going to be aunts to a pro soccer player! Come on, Tessa, you want in on this?”

Tessa edged back. “I’m not going to touch Lucie’s stomach. I wouldn’t have done it before she was pregnant, and I’m not doing it now.”

I frowned at her. “It’s okay. I hate it when the cashier at the bodega rubs my belly, but I don’t mind when my friends do, especially if you ask first.”

She crossed her arms. “It’s a boundary thing. I don’t like people touching my body. So I’ll refrain from touching yours.”

Interesting.I’d have to try again to get an interview with Tessa. She never talked about her money or her past, which I found wildly intriguing. I’d refrained from unleashing my investigative journalism skills to dig up her story since it felt creepy to do that to a friend. Maybe if I plied her with Danny’s potent cocktails, she’d open up.

Danny emerged from the back with the stepladder, and Tessa went to supervise the decorations. Savannah, Carly, and I got drinks at the bar, and the room filled with friends and Danny’s family. What? So I’d asked Danny to invite them. They were sweet, even his cousin Tina with her lipstick kiss on Danny’s cheek. And they each brought me a little something: a bouquet of flowers or a tin of homemade cookies or a box of chocolates.

I wasn’t where I’d dreamed I’d be at forty, with a less-than-stellar career and an unplanned baby on the way, but I was…happy. I couldn’t blame booze for the warm, bubbly feeling in my chest. I was surrounded by people I liked on my birthday, people who hugged me and complimented me and told interesting stories.

I felt a prickle on the back of my neck. Danny was standing next to me, and we were laughing at something his uncle Rangi had said when I glanced over my shoulder and saw the last two people I’d ever expected to show up at Barb’s dive bar: my parents.

My father frowned like he’d entered a classroom of unruly freshmen. My mother wrinkled her nose. Shit! I’d texted her about the party out of a sense of obligation, but I hadn’t thought they’d actually come.

“Excuse me,” I muttered. I strode toward my parents, not sure if I wanted to protect them from the other guests or protect the other guests from them.

“Mom. Dad.” I kissed their cheeks. “What a surprise.”

“Of course we came to see you on your birthday,” my mother said. “We’re on our way to another party, but we had to stop by. Didn’t we, Marvin?”

“Who are all these people?” he asked, eyeing Uncle Gio, who’d had more than his share of prosecco and was doing some kind of kicking dance with a scarf tied around his expansive belly.

“They’re my friends,” I said. “And…family.”

My heart rate slowed when I sensed Danny’s solid shape at my side again. When I looked up at him, he was grinning.

He stuck out his hand. “You must be Lucie’s father. It’s nice to meet you, Dr. Knox. I’m Danny Carbone.”

When my dad shook Danny’s hand, I released the breath I’d been holding. Until he opened his mouth.

“So, you’re the one who did this to poor Lucie.” He skewered Danny with a glare.

“I, um—” Danny began.

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