Page 18 of Curvy Girl and the Bad Boy Cowboy

Max squints at me like I'm speaking a foreign language.

"Other responsibilities? What does that even mean? Since when do you have responsibilities?"

I take a deep breath, meeting my best friend's confused gaze. "Since I found out I'm going to be a father."

Max actually stumbles backward a step, his eyes comically wide. "You're going to be a what now?"

"A father," I repeat, and saying it aloud to someone outside our immediate circle makes it feel even more real. "I'm having a baby. Well, not me personally, but—" I gesture toward Naomi, who offers a small wave.

"You're serious?" Max demands, looking between us. "This isn't some weird joke?"

"Dead serious," I confirm. "It's time for me to be an adult, Max."

For a moment, Max just stares at me, then at Naomi, then back at me. The two firefighters with him exchange glances, clearly entertained by the whole scene.

"Holy shit," Max finally says. "I can't believe this is happening. Ethan Covington, a dad." He shakes his head in disbelief, then breaks into a wide grin. "I'm sad to lose my best wingman, but I couldn't be happier for you, man."

I stand up, and Max pulls me into a bear hug, complete with the hearty back-tapping that men do when they're having feelings they don't want to talk about.

"Is it a boy or a girl?" he asks against my shoulder.

"Girl," I reply, surprised by the pride that swells in my chest.

"God help us all," Max laughs, releasing me from the hug but keeping a hand on my shoulder. He leans in closer and whispers, "So the girl at the table—she's the mother?"

I nod, glancing back at Naomi, who's watching us with an expression somewhere between amusement and uncertainty.

"Damn," Max murmurs, not quite quietly enough. "Don't let go of a woman that gorgeous, Ethan. And don't fuck this up."

"Working on it," I assure him, then step back. "Max, this is Naomi Harper. She owns Sweet Somethings Bakery. Naomi, this is Max Davidson, Cedar Falls' second-best firefighter."

"Best," Max corrects, extending his hand to Naomi. "Pleasure to meet you officially. I've had your cinnamon rolls, and they're life-changing."

"Thank you," Naomi says, shaking his hand. "I've seen you around town, of course."

"Well, now we're practically family," Max says with his easy charm. "Since I'm this guy's brother in everything but blood."

"We should probably let them finish their lunch," one of the other firefighters suggests, pulling on Max's arm.

"Right, sorry," Max says. "But listen, we need to celebrate! Not tonight, obviously, but soon."

"Sure," I agree, knowing that 'celebrating' with Max will look very different now.

"I'll call you," Max promises, walking backward toward the door. "And congratulations, really. Both of you."

After they leave, I sit back down, feeling strangely lighter. Telling Max makes it more official, more public. There's no backing out now—not that I would want to.

"So that's your best friend," Naomi says, taking a sip of her milkshake. "He seems... enthusiastic."

"That's one word for him," I laugh. "He's a good guy, though. Loyal to a fault."

"And apparently very surprised by your news."

"Yeah, well..." I shrug. "I haven't exactly been father material in the past."

"You could have fooled me today," she says softly.

I meet her eyes across the table, momentarily stunned by the vote of confidence. "Really?"

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