Page 71 of Playboy

What the hell does she know about what’s good for kids?

“It’s fine.” I imbue all the firmness I usually save for Jasper Quinn into my tone. I find it’s best when dealing with my mother too. She doesn’t take hints. “The doctor says I can travel for the majority of my pregnancy without any problem.”

Her lips turn down in concern. “And then what will you do?”

My heart clenches. Could it be possible? Does she actually care about my well-being?

“I can come and stay with you then. Maybe Liam and I will bond over our first grandbaby.”

My stomach rolls. Never mind. There’s no concern for me in that calculated tone. “Oliver is the first grandbaby.”

“Well, he’s not mine.” She waves a hand.

I sigh. “Right. Listen, I have to go.”

“Okay. Think about what I said. I’ll give Liam a call and see what he thinks about getting together when I visit with you.”

Right. Then, when Liam shows zero interest in her, she will show zero interest in coming to visit me. That’s fine. Easier, even.

Once I’ve ended the call, I cradle my stomach again. “I won’t be like her. I won’t be like her.” It’s my mantra. One I haven’t uttered in a long time. In college and during my ridiculouslyshort marriage, I chanted it almost constantly. A few months into the marriage, when I gave up on the institution, is when I realized I was exactly like her.

I’m not cut out for marriage. But that doesn’t mean I’m not cut out to be a mom. I’ll be better.

I won’t be like her.

“We never see you anymore,”Sara whines. Lunch on the seaport was a must after so many days spent traveling. The last thing I wanted to do with the couple of days I have in Boston is spend my lunch hour in Langfield Corp’s lunchroom. Beckett Langfield doesn’t half-ass anything, so it’s the nicest lunch facility in corporate America, I’m sure, but if I see any of the baseball players in the next hour, I may rip their eyeballs out. The guys are in rare form this season. With a bunch of rookies on the roster, the mid-season itch is strong.

And Jasper. Fucking Jasper. Every time I give that kid some rope, thinking he can handle the responsibility, he goes and tangles himself up in it like a stupid dog.

“Baseball season,” I mutter as I stare longingly at the sangria Lennox and Sara ordered. They offered not to drink, but both Ava and I waved them off. Millie didn’t order a drink at first, and for a moment I wondered if she’d be making an announcement soon, but when the server brought the sangrias, she asked for a mimosa, so I guess I’ve just got baby on the brain.

“How was Canada?” Lennox asks Ava.

She and War just returned from a three-week visit to Canada. He wanted to show the kids where he’s from. After that, they made a stop in Nebraska to see Ava’s parents.

This is the first time I’ve seen the girls since I announced my pregnancy. It’s safe to say I missed them something fierce.

With a fifty-two series schedule from February through October, it’s just the way it is. There’s little time to stop. Though the pregnancy has made it harder to handle. I’m tired all the time and cranky because I miss my bed and my friends.

And if I’m honest, I miss Daniel.

Thank god next week is the All-Star break. Four baseball-free days. I might sleep for three of them.

“It was so good.” Ava is glowing. I’ve literally never seen a prettier pregnant person. Her wavy red hair is like a halo highlighting her rosy cheeks, and her green eyes are bright like she’s getting lots of rest and sex. She’s probably having all the sex with her hot hockey player husband.

I’m jealous as fuck of my best friend.

Normally, I’m all for my friends having great sex lives. I’m never jealous. If I want something, I go out and find it.

But now that I’m barely having sex, that green-eyed monster keeps rearing its ugly head. I can’t very well just call Daniel for a hookup when I’m in town, can I?

Though I normally don’t give a shit about rules, I find that, with him, I overthink far more than I ever have.

I sip my water, and when I set it back down, every eye at the table is on me. Oh. Oops. Clearly I spaced out and missed the complete breakdown of Ava’s trip. And by the expectant looks on all the girls’ faces, one of them asked me a question.

“Hmm?” I ask, feigning like I didn’t quite catch it.

Millie giggles. “Lennox asked how you’re feeling.”

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