Page 130 of Playboy

I shake my head, hands trembling. When she pushes her stack of books toward me, I have to shake them out.

I don’t know how he did this—I don’t even know what is happening right now—but I’m going to enjoy every crazy minute of it.

I sign all one hundred books—yes, every damn one—and after at least a hundred pictures, the last one being one of Daniel and me and my book—a photo he tells me is totally going in the photo album—I’m finally seated by the bar, my feet resting on a chair in front of me, with a jug of water by my side. I’ll probably have to get up and pee ten more times before we leave, but I can’t seem to get enough water today.

“Oh, I forgot to tell you.” Sara leans against the bar next to me. “Lennox told me she knows the cover model.”

My jaw drops. “No fucking way.”

Lennox shakes her head, but she’s laughing. “I told you not to tell her.”

“Tell her what?” Ava asks as she shuffles over. I slip my feet off the chair so she can sit, then settle them in her lap once she’s settled.

Millie lifts her chin, eyeing us from across the room. With a kiss to Gavin’s cheek, she waltzes in our direction. “What did I miss?”

Sara holds up her copy of my book. “Lennox slept with this guy.”

Ava’s eyes go wide, Millie squeals, and I practically drop my water. “Youwhat?”

Lennox glares at Sara, the pink-on-pink outfit taking away from the serious look she’s wearing. “Do you have a death wish? If Aiden hears you, he’ll burn this place down with all the pretty books in it.”

Sara pulls the book to her chest, lip stuck out. “But he’s so pretty.” She turns him around, petting the man’s eight-pack.

“Unfortunately the drapes don’t match the carpet,” Lennox mutters.

“The what?” Ava shouts.

Every one of us freezes and looks at her. The only time I’ve ever heard her voice reach that volume was the night she found the ridiculous contract for her marriage in War’s office.

“The outside doesn’t match the inside,” Lennox says, enunciating each word.

“Huh?” Millie’s face scrunches in confusion. “Can you speak English rather than Lennox-and-Aiden talk.”

My pink-haired friend grins. “His dick isn’t nearly as big as Hannah described it in the book.” She flicks the cover of Sara’s copy. “And he had no idea what to do with it. There were no three orgasms on the beach or on any woman’s desk, I assure you.”

I chuckle. “What can I say? The book is always better.”

As the girls laugh and chatter on, I look around at my real life. I can’t say I’ve ever read a book that’s as good as the story I’m living. With a hand splayed over my belly, I silently tell my son how lucky he is to have such a good daddy.

“He’s pretty amazing.” Sara nods at Daniel.

He’s standing across the room with his father and Gavin, holding Nash, completely comfortable with a baby in his arms.

Chest expanding, I sigh. “He is.”

“Have you discussed what comes next?” Lennox asks.

It takes effort to tear my attention away from him so I can look at her. “Next?”

“Yeah, like marriage?” Ava breaks into a slow grin.

“Just because you propose to every hot man with a baby in his arms,” I tease, “doesn’t mean I need that.”

Millie’s golden eyes swim with earnestness. “Have you talked about it?”

Only if writing about it in my column counts. He hasn’t mentioned anything about marriage since that night in Vegas. That conversation was so emotionally charged, I can’t hold him to the comment.

It’s too soon anyway. It’s not like there’s any rush?—

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