Page 59 of Sticking Out

Gina glances down, her lashes shading her eyes, and I can’t help but grin. Oh, that girl is definitely getting some and I’m pretty sure I know who’s giving it to her.

She lifts her head slightly, a playful grin on her mouth. “I thought we were talking about Dani.”

“Oh, hell girl, we want all the deets,” Melanie blurts out, all attention turning to Gina and her sex life and I’m grateful all eyes are off me. I probably shouldn’t have said anything about trying. That wasn’t fair to Conner. I’m going to have to speak to him about this. I don’t want to be telling secrets behind his back, and while I asked for this to be between us girls, I know they’re going to tell their husbands. It’s what married couples do.

The server comes back with our drinks and we put in our orders. We talk about work and books and upcoming vacations. The night is lively, the conversation interesting, and I’m so happy to be a part of this amazing group of women.

By the time we’re done eating and the dishes are cleared, Brighton looks at us all, a gleam in her eyes. “What do you say we crash the boys party and beat them at a few games of pool?”

I laugh. “I don’t know much about playing pool.”

“Oh, don’t worry about that.” Josie winks at me. “We have the goods…” She stops talking and fixes her blouse around her breasts. “To throw them off their game enough that we don’t need to be good.”

I cock my head. “Isn’t that cheating?”

“Damn right it is,” Maeve agrees and drops her napkin. “Let’s go bust some balls, so to speak.”

Laughing, we all stand, pay our bills and head outdoors. Since I came alone, I hurry to my car and hop in, a sense of giddiness inside me. I drive the short distance to the bar, and we all meet up at the door.

“Ready?” Melanie asks, and pushes open the door like she owns the place, and I do love the woman’s confidence. Squaring my shoulders, I walk in full of confidence too. The guys all turn our way as we storm the castle, and I look for Conner, but don’t instantly see him. Perhaps he made a trip to the little boys room. I glance down the hall, and find it empty. Scanning the room my gaze zeroes in on the blonde making a fast exit, and that’s when I see Conner coming my way.

But the blonde is the one holding my attention. Was that…Summer?

22

Conner

I pull in behind Dani at my place and kill the ignition. I was thrilled to see her and the girls tonight. I love that they crashed the party and won the rest of the pool games. Honestly, we were all ready to call it a night when they came, but stayed a little longer to have fun with our women.

She steps from her car and I hurry from mine to catch up to her. She stifles a yawn. Maybe that’s why she was quiet tonight. I realize it’s a work night, and she doesn’t usually go out for dinner when she has to get up early, but I’m glad she joined the women tonight. Although I do think it wore her out. Then again, she was worn out before she left. I’ve been keeping her up too late at night.

“Hey.” I put my arm around her when I reach her and give her a kiss on the top of the head. “You tired?”

“I am.” She stifles another yawn. “I’m not usually out this late on a work night.”

“Then let’s get you to bed.”

She smiles, and we head to the front door. I unlock it and usher her inside. She quickly kicks off her heels and moans in delight. Her job doesn’t require heels and she sure looks happy to be out of them.

She walks up the stairs ahead of me, her body tight, and I can’t help but think something is wrong. Is she having second thoughts? Did she find something else out about my brother? I hurry behind her, and follow her into the bedroom. “Is everything okay? You had a good time tonight, didn’t you?”

She peels off her dress, and I fight to keep blood in my brain. “I sort of told the girls that we were trying to have a baby. I ordered a water with lime, and that made them curious and the conversation snowballed from there. I probably shouldn’t have done that.” She crinkles her nose and I relax a bit.

“It’s okay. When it happens they were all going to know anyway.”

Her lashes slowly fall and lift again as her eyes move over my face, assessing me. “You’re not upset?”

“No, babe. Did you think I would be?”

“It’s just, I mean, we were going to say it was an accident, right? Now they know we’re actively trying, and you and me, we’re just so new.”

“We’re not that new, Dani. We’ve been pretty much attached at the hip for a couple years now.”

“Even before that, really. In high school and even when I was married.” She glances down, and after a moment of silence, asks, “Conner, do you think Alec was jealous, or thought something was happening…” She waves her hands back and forth between us. “Between us? I’d never cheat. Things might not have always been great between us, but people who cheat are…are…”

“Assholes,” I offer, and she nods. “No, I don’t think he thought that at all. He knew who we were.” We just didn’t know who he was.

Her shoulders settle in place. “Are you going to say anything to the guys about us trying for a baby?”

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