“If you say it’s better than sex, I’m telling Rye he’s not doing it right,” Jenna said with a devilish smirk. “Now let me try that. Your moaning is making me lust for more.”
“Nothing’s better than sex, not even sleep,” Kate said with a yawn. “Which is why I’m always exhausted. Rye likes midnight romps.” She grinned even as she tipped her container toward Jenna. “They’re growing on me.”
Jenna dragged her spoon over the top and popped the bite into her mouth. “Whatever, sexed-up girl. I need some because, as good as ice cream is, it’s all I’m getting.” She tossed her spoon aside and scowled.
“Cam’s been treating Jenna like she’s blown glass,” Kate said. “The doctor cleared her—she’s healthy. But Cam’s still concerned.”
“I bounced back, and he’s not bouncing me.” Jenna pouted.
“Well, Cash is six months old…” Kate said.
“You can’t survive without hot sex,” I added. My face flamed as both Kate and Jenna turned toward me, eyes wide, spoons poised over their cartons.
“Erm…” I glanced back, making sure Brandon wasn’t within earshot. In fact, I didn’t see him at all. He’d remained at the front of the store, keeping an eye on things. Jenna and Kate burst into peals of laughter.
“I guess the rumors floating around out there about Nash are true,” Jenna said with a wink.
I shook my head. “I wouldn’t know about rumors, which is all they are—rumors. But I do know he and I are…compatible.”
“Eh. Cam and I used to burn up the sheets. And sometimes the shower or the floor or—”
“That’s my big brother you’re grossing me out with right now,” Kate complained. She pointed her spoon at Jenna. “Shut it so I can enjoy this ice cream in peace. And just make him love you up already.”
“I happen to like the wilder moments myself,” I muttered. I clapped my hand over my mouth, aghast.
Jenna and Kate peered at me. Jenna set her container down and rose from her seat. She was tall, willowy, and no one would know she’d recently had a baby.
“What’s gotten into you?” she asked.
I touched my fingertips to my flaming cheeks. “I don’t know. It’s like I can’t help but blurt things out.”
Kate narrowed her eyes. “What about ice cream? Why don’t you have one?”
I pressed a hand to my stomach and groaned. “The mere thought makes me want to hurl.”
“Huh,” Jenna said. “Sounds like your hormones are out of whack. Must be all the crazy-hot sex with the crazy-hot love.”
I gasped. “It’s making me…loose.”
Kate cracked up. “Nah, honey. It’s making you human. It’s good to share with your girlfriends.”
She linked her arm through mine. “And I’m your friend, as is Jenna, which is why we’re going to have you pee on a stick and sip on a bubbly water.”
“Pee on a stick? I can’t be pregnant.” I shook my head. “I have to get married first.”
Jenna patted my shoulder. “The order of things doesn’t matter. You and Nash worked through all that.”
My lip trembled. “Not really. Nash still doesn’t want kids. At the very least, not anytime soon.”
“Darling, you didn’t get here on your own. These boys’ll knock you up faster than you can shiver with pleasure,” Kate said, tossing her red ringlets back. “They’re a potent bunch.”
“You’re—” I asked.
She smirked. “Nope.” She winked. “But it’s not for lack of trying.”
“Right.”
“So, point is, take this, pee on it, and we’ll do the honors of letting you know what’s what,” Jenna said. “Jumping June bugs, I am excited about this. Cash may get a playmate!”
I clutched the box holding the pregnancy test as Jenna and Kate continued to banter. I leaned against the closed bathroom door and read every tiny word of the instructions before I opened the test.
Once done, I locked the cap in place and set it on the back of the toilet. I washed my hands. A knock rapped.
“You done? We thought you might’ve drowned or something.” Jenna stood in the doorway, frowning.
“I…”
She slithered around me and scooped up the test. She hooted, waving the small pen-shaped hunk of plastic.
“Yay! We’re going to have another little one to snuggle.”
My breath turned choppy, painful. “Um…”
Kate crowded into the small room, jumping up and down, her hands on my shoulders. “You’re having a baby,” she screeched.
The room spun and my knees started to buckle. Jenna caught me under the armpits with a grunt. “Shit. Help me, Kate. She’s going down.”
I didn’t faint, but reality turned darker and swirly. I blinked and found myself leaning against the sink cabinet, Jenna and Kate close by with concern lighting their eyes.
“Are you…not happy about a child?” Kate asked. Her voice was gentle.
“I…”
I scooted to the floor, laid my forehead on my pulled-up knees, and sobbed. I heard the women shuffle and then both their heads rested on my shoulders.
“It’s okay to be overwhelmed,” Jenna murmured. “Cam pretty much took me over, the delicious ass.”
Kate made a gagging sound. “Still my brother.”
“Still hotter than sin. Dammit. I am going to jump him tonight,” she said with a sigh.
“Gross.”
“Ladies, focus,” I choked out. “My father is selfish and terrible. Brad was even worse. Like, actively hostile to raising Nash. And again: Nash doesn’t want kids. We…we haven’t talked about a family since I flew to Charleston, and—”
“Well, that sucks. And the timing isn’t ideal. I get that. But Nash loves you, and he’ll love the baby you two made, too,” Kate said, her voice firm.
I accepted the tissue she passed me. “What if he thinks I got pregnant on purpose for that godawful trust fund my mother set up? What if—”
Kate popped up and helped Jenna to her feet. “I think you’re about to get your answers,” she mumbled.
I lifted my head and saw Nash leaning against the wall. His long legs were crossed at the ankles, and he shifted his shoulders to let my friends pass. My lower lip wobbled as he closed the door and squatted in front of me.
His brown eyes swirled with storms, and his face was pale. “I don’t like seeing you like this,” he said.
“On a bathroom floor?” I asked even as I sniffled.
He handed me a tissue, and I set about mopping my face.
“That, too.” He swiped at my cheek.
I closed my eyes and breathed out, trying to calm my racing thoughts. “I’m scared.”
“Because?”
I blew out a breath and met his gaze. “That stick has a plus on it.”
His grin turned wicked. “You needed the test? I’ve been waiting for you to tell me.” He bit his lip. “I figured out you didn’t know in Turks and Caicos.”
“Wh-what? You’re saying you knew and didn’t say anything? Nash, I was totally freaking out!”