Page 98 of The Complication with the Best Man

He returns his attention to Harper. “I told you I’d be up to meet the baby as soon as I knew you were in labor. Did you doubt me? I’m a man of my word.”

She chuckles. “It’s so good to see you.”

“So where is the little guy?” He looks around, spots Hollis in the glass bassinet, and makes his way over.

Harper has told me a little bit about his and Shelly’s struggle with infertility, and when he looks at Hollis, I can see that while Jack is happy for us, this also causes him some pain.

Harper must see it too because she says, “Where’s Shelly?” She looks behind him toward the doorway.

Jack turns to face us and swallows hard, then looks away from her, shoving his hands in his pockets.

“Jack, what’s wrong? Is Shelly okay?”

“She’s back in LA.”

“She couldn’t make the trip?” Harper’s head angles to the side.

“I’ll tell you, but please don’t tell anyone else in the family. I’m not ready to deal with all their questions yet.”

Harper takes my hand, clearly knowing her cousin better than I do.

“Shelly and I have separated.”

Harper’s other hand flies up to her mouth. “Oh, Jack, no.”

* * *

If you enjoyed our Lake Starlight series, start where it all began with Harper’s parents story, Lessons from a One-Night Stand. (keep scrolling for sneak peek)

In our much loved series,The Baileys, you follow the lives ofnine orphaned Bailey siblingsas they tumble into love. But between theanonymous town gossip blogand theirmatchmaker grandma, finding their happy ever after isn’t always a smooth or straight path.

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Sneak Peek

The handsome guy on stage with his jaw hanging wide open, shock and awe in his eyes?

That’d be me. Austin Bailey. Eldest brother of the Bailey clan, guardian to my younger siblings, biology teacher extraordinaire, baseball coach, good neighbor, and all-round pretty great guy.

Before we dive into the fact that karma just raised its middle finger at me, you should hear how my day began.

Today started like every other day. I woke up, got ready, prepared breakfast for my ungrateful twin sisters, Phoenix and Sedona, then we all hopped into my Jeep to head to school.

Of course, Phoenix didn’t eat the pancakes. Her exact words, if I remember correctly were, “They taste like cardboard. Can’t you just follow the recipe?”

Sedona ate the pancakes, but as soon as we pulled into the parking lot of Lake Starlight High School, where they’re seniors, her appreciation for me ended. “Park in the back, I don’t want to be seen stepping out of this monstrosity.”

I’ve learned that there’s no pleasing a teenager, especially a female one—no offense, ladies, but her comment still irks me. How is my Jeep embarrassing? It has a snorkel so when I off-road, I don’t have to spend my money on a new engine and can instead afford to buy her whatever new outfit she wants. She should be grateful, thanking me. But she’s seventeen. Pleasing her is impossible.

I purposely park in the first row and honk my horn to announce our arrival, because pissing off Sedona is one of my top five favorite things to do.I’ll miss that come next year.

Phoenix’s stomach rumbles as she exits the car. Sedona has already raced off to the nearest entrance as if that creepyITclown is following her.

I stroll toward the door, reloading my emails on my phone, hoping I received the response I’ve been waiting for and that it contains good news. Elijah, my star pitcher, cuts me off.

“Coach, I need some advice.” He runs his fingers through his long hair.

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