Page 105 of Cop Daddy Next Door

She took a sip. “Oh, right. Well, you know you never actually get a million dollars from a publishing deal. It takes forever to pay out and then there are taxes—”

“You’re only giving me half the story.”

“Oh. Sorry. I forget that you can’t download my brain sometimes.”

That was a horrifying thought, but my life would be much easier if I could.

Probably.

“I got tapped to do a graphic novel for a romance author. The one with the magic double peens? Yeah. They want to branch out to do graphic novels. Maybe even anime. Wouldn’t that be wild?”

Polly came back to check on us and asked if we needed anything.

Van took a bite of her bacon as I tried not to fall out of the booth. “Could I have some more water?” she asked. “Maybe a big glass of milk?”

Polly nodded. “Sure. Be right back.” She frowned at me. “You okay, Mav?”

Van patted my hand. “He’ll be okay in a minute.”

“Okay, then.” Polly shrugged and turned on her heel.

I put my fork down. “I’m sorry. Did you say million? Just checking one more time.”

She nodded. “With an option for a sequel if it does well.” She picked up her fork and stabbed at her pancakes. “These are amazing. Want a bite?”

I shook my head. “I knew you were incredible from your website, but holy shit, Pocket Plus.”

“I know. This is my first seven-figure deal. It’s pretty crazy.”

Her first seven-figure deal as if there might be more. She wasthattalented.

“Wow. I’m so happy for you. And for me, that I know you.”

“Even in the biblical sense.” She snorted then picked up the butter for another layer on the bottom pancake. “I didn’t want to jinx it. You’re the first person I’ve told. Well, other than my agent. He said he’s sending me flowers so don’t get jealous, okay?”

“He can send you all the flowers he wants if they come with that kind of check.”

“Right?” Her blue eyes sparkled. “We should go home and have sex. After a nap.”

I laughed. Life with this woman would never be boring. “Sounds like a plan to me. And this time, I won’t fight you if you want to pick up the check.”

TWENTY-THREE

Halloween in CrescentCove was a thing to behold, and not just because Macy—and her team—at Brewed Awakening had perfected a candy spider that melted like a flavor shot into hot coffee.

And not just because the damn thing looked freaking real sitting in the foam before it disintegrated.

“C’mon, you’re not trying my spider? I figured you of all of the chicks here wouldn’t wuss out.” With a shrug, Macy nudged the creation back her way. “Fine. I’ll get high on my own supply.”

My regret was real. “If only I could.”

I frowned down at my surprisingly delicious cup of caramel apple cider, debating with myself.

Did I dare share my news? I wanted to, even though it was early. I was still nervous. But my doctor’s visit and some research online had smoothed me out a bit. I was perfectly healthy, and a lot of women who had early miscarriages never miscarried again. My twin had just given birth to a beautiful little girl. That had to be a good sign.

And I was doing my due diligence by forgoing most caffeine. That had to count for something.

I darted a quick look around to make sure no one in the busy coffee shop was standing too close. Not that I’d keep this under wraps for long.

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