Page 34 of Playboy

With his lips against my ear, he lets out a low, deep laugh that rattles me all the way to my toes. “Bullshit.” He pulls back and stands. “Want me to check it?”

With a thick swallow, I give him a single nod. I don’t think I could make my feet move if I tried right now.

He disappears into the bathroom, and when he reappears, he’s got the simple white stick in his hand. Face set in a completely neutral expression, he says, “We’re pregnant.”

THIRTEEN

DANIEL

Isit weird that I wanted it to be positive? That I felt this ridiculous pressure in the center of my chest as I leaned forward, knowing with complete certainty that I was ready for this?

Yes. That’s probably delusional. And there’s no way in hell I’ll mention a word of it to Hannah. It’s clear from her expression that she does not feel that way.

Not at all.

“We’re what?” She pulls herself from her stupor and jumps up, reaching for the test. “Are you sure you read it right?”

The wordpregnantin the little window is a pretty good indication that I did, in fact, read it right, but I won’t be a dick about it. She’s freaking out, and she has every right to. I give her a few seconds to digest the knowledge as she gapes at the most life-changing string of letters in the English language.

“Holy shit,” she whispers.

I cough out a laugh. “Yeah, looks like there’s more than one hockey daddy on the team now.”

Eyes flashing, she snaps her head up, her jaw still hanging open.

Okay, maybe that joke didn’t land. But I can’t help it. Might as well ride it out. Uncomfortable, I grin. “Can I call you mommy?”

“Daniel.”The word is chock full of exasperation.

Yeah, I get it. Clearly, I should shut up.

With a step closer, I grasp her hip, and when she sucks in a breath in response, I waggle my brows, all tease. “I’ve heard pregnancy sex is fantastic.”

The air escapes her in a whoosh.

Oops. Shoot me now. Please. Put me out of my misery. Why I am I like this? Why, when I get uncomfortable, does my mouth take over and say stupid shit? Shit that makes Hannah look at me like I’m nuts.

“I’m sorry.” I dip my head so we’re eye to eye. “I’m just trying to make you smile.”

She bites her lip, attention drifting down and to one side. “Because you’re freaking out, right?”

I shake my head. “Don’t worry about me. Let’s focus on you. This is happening toyou. So what can I do to make this better? Besides woo you with my awesome jokes.”

“Maybe tell less of them,” she says, her voice quiet and a little too serious for my liking. Slowly, she pulls away from me and paces to the other side of her room.

“So we’re having a baby,” she says as she strides back my way. Though if I had to guess, she’s not talking to me. It’s more like she’s talking about me. “You’re a hockey player, and I run PR for a baseball team. Neither of us has a job that allows us a whole lot of free time?—”

“Hannah.”

“I’ve got five dads—” she turns around and looks at me,finally. “Did you know that?”

“Did I know that you have five dads? Um, no, I wasn’t aware.” Who the fuck has five dads? And how is that possible? Thosewords swirl in my head very, very quietly, just in case she can read minds. I have no intention of making this worse for her.

Her gaze roves the room, never settling. “One mom who didn’t want to be one and five dads. I’m close with four of them.” Her eyes finally flit to mine. “You’re close with your dad, right?”

I dip my chin. “Yeah. He’s my best friend.”

Shoulders lowering a fraction, she nods a little manically. “Good. That’s good.” Then she shakes her head, her lips turning down. “Actually, Millie always talks about how fucked up your family is.”

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