Page 21 of Girl Going Nowhere

She smiles. “I know. You’re prideful and stubborn. I both love and loathe that about you. Just let us do nice stuff for you without complaining. Plus, your ass looks amazing in that dress. I’m glad I got it for you.”

My assdoeslook good. “This place looks like it cost at least twenty-five-dollars a plate for two pieces of lettuce and some drizzle of dressing.”

Emily rolls her eyes, weaving our arms together as she tugs me toward the hostess table. “Do me a favor and don’t look at the menu. Because then you’ll be even sadder when you realize it’sonepiece of lettuce and drizzled dressing on top of it.”

I groan. “Not funny.”

She bops my nose. “I thought it was.”

*

I see himsitting with two older men, all wearing business casual attire and stern faces. Whatever conversation they’re having, it looks serious. And based on Rafael’s tight expression, he’s not enjoying himself.

“Did you hear a word I said?” Emily asks, sighing as she sets her wine down.

Forcing my gaze away from the man my hand became well acquainted with a day ago, I offer my friend an apologetic smile. “Sorry. I thought I saw somebody I knew…”

Her face pinches with doubt. “Who could you know here other than Hector and me? Oh! I did hear that they’re shooting a movie nearby. Maybe it’s an actor from there. Who are you looking at?” She turns in her seat to scan the room.

“Never mind,” I say quickly. It’s obvious she disapproves of my flight escapades, so telling her that Rafael is here would be a bad idea.

She groans. “It’s him, right?” The annoyance in her tone has my body locking as her eyes trail in the direction of Rafael’s table. “The white-haired guy who looks constipated?”

I don’t know if I should be relieved or insulted that she thinkshe’sthe one who caught my attention. Not that I haven’t dabbled in older men before. Just notthatmuch older. The guy she’s staring at is old enough to be my grandfather.

When she faces me, there’s a frown curling her lips. “I guess it makes sense that you recognize him. He’s been in the headlines for buying out a minor league baseball team here, but he’s wedging a foot into the door of the majors. I know you pretend like you don’t keep up with baseball since you know who, but…”

Why is Rafael talking to him then?It leaves a heavy feeling in my stomach. He must be another athlete. Realizing I must have a type, I frown.

She reaches over and squeezes my hand. “If it makes you feel better, it doesn’t look like their conversation is going well. But did you see that hottie talking with him? He’s totally your type.”

If she only knew…

“Yeah, he’s cute.”

She rolls her eyes. “Anyway, I was telling you that Hector and I had the kid talk.”

My eyes widen. “Really?”

Her head nods lightly. “It’s time. We’ve discussed it before, but both of us have been so busy with work. He’s been trying to take on fewer cases, and it isn’t like my job is that demanding. We’re in a good place, so I want to try.”

“Emily, that’s amazing.” We always thought she’d be the first to have a family, but life has a funny way of throwing curveballs.

No pun intended.

“Does Hector still want five kids?”

Her nose scrunches. “I told him I’d consider three. Max. He seems to think he can change my mind, but he’s forgetting that I have to carry them. My body will never be the same.”

Men.They get the easy end of the deal. All they need to do is pump a few times and let us handle the rest. “I’d like to see him push out a watermelon-sized baby from his penis. I bet he’d change his mind really quick after that.”

We both grin at each other.

My eyes wander back to the table Rafael was sitting at, but it’s empty. Eye twitching, I scratch it away and refocus on my best friend. “Does this mean Maia will have a little friend soon?”

“Hopefully. But…” Her throat bobs as she stares down at her empty dessert plate. “We’ve been trying for months, and so far, nothing. I had a mild breakdown last month about it and went to see a specialist.”

I gape at the new news. “Why didn’t you tell me?” I think about it, feeling my shoulders drop. “Is that the appointment you mentioned a few weeks ago? You barely said anything about it. I thought it was an annual checkup.”

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