by Taryn Quinn
“We were, and thanks. Now I’ve got to convince her to marry me. You have any tips?” My voice sounded conversational—I hoped—but in my head, I was screaming like a teenager in a slasher flick.
How had I gotten to this place so fast? Other than being madly in love with her forever and madly in denial.
Sex had officially hurtled me into reality. I adored that woman.
John scratched his beardy chin. A lot of the men in town were already going into our hibernation looks for winter, myself included. “I’m not here to judge,” he said slowly. “But isn’t this sudden?”
“Not really. I tried to do the math in my head, but the best I could come up with was that I’ve been falling for her since about six days after we met.”
“That’s one hell of a long, slow fall.”
“We reached the crash landing part. And since I’m sure, why dick around?”
More scratching. “I see the logic in it, but how does she feel?”
“Why do you think I need some tips? She hasn’t been totally bowled over by my rampant charm,” John coughed into his fist, “or my simmering sexual prowess yet.”
“Dani’s the one who says things are gross, not me. Today may be a first.”
I grunted.
“As for tips, tell the truth. Listen. And never forget what makes her eyes cross.”
“You are very wise.” The baby let out another cry and I stood, motioning to John. “Come meet my daughter.”
John didn’t have a flair for theater, but his expression was comical. He sat back down again without even making it all the way to his feet. “Explain.”
“Something happened last winter.”
“I can guess what. And that baby isn’t Gina’s and she’s still sleeping with you?”
“Not only that, she loves her already. She’s so good with her. Sami loves her too. I swear, you can just see it.”
He frowned. “I know you and Gina have been close for a damn long time. But add a baby into it…” Slowly, John shook his head. “Well, maybe you’re latching onto a ready-made family so you don’t have to do this alone. Which is hard as hell. Take it from somebody who knows.”
“Yeah. That’s all true. I’ve leaned on Gina a lot, but it’s not like that, man. She’s my best friend.” I exhaled. “She’s just everything. And I want everything with her.”
John clapped his hands on his thighs and stood. “Whelp, I’ve been replaced.”
I had to laugh. “You’re a good friend.”
“I know, I know. Too soon for labels.” He pretended to wipe away a tear. “I’ll get over it. I just need some time.”
“Wiseass.” I gave him a shove as the occasional cries from the baby turned into full-blown sobs.
Sadie met us in the hall, her golden brown eyes wide and worried. “It’s okay, Sadie. She’s fine. Just probably needs a diaper change.”
John slid me a sidelong glance. “You seem surprisingly okay with all this father stuff.”
“It’s been almost two weeks. I’ve adapted. Started to anyway. Seems like there are levels.” I jogged up the stairs to the nursery-slash-office and found Sami in hysterics. “Oh, c’mere, sweetie. It’s okay. It’s okay,” I murmured, scooping her up into my arms while Sadie paced worriedly. “See, your little girl is fine,” I told her, leaning down to show her the baby.
Pink, screwed up face and all.
I rocked and sang softly to her—this time “Carry On, Wayward Son”—as I walked back and forth until she began to calm down.
“She’s really beautiful,” I said a few minutes later, assuming John was just watching quietly. But it was odd for him not to say anything at all. “I know you can’t tell right now, but once I get her cleaned up, you’ll see.”
I turned toward the doorway to see a collection of faces in the hall. All my friends had arrived when I hadn’t been looking, probably let in by John. Not that they wouldn’t have made themselves at home without his help. The shocking part was how quiet they’d been climbing the stairs.
“Hey, Moose. Hi, August. Caleb,” I said with surprise. “You’re still alive.”
“According to the tabloids, yep.” He gave a halfhearted wave.
Off to the side was my brother, standing next to a sheepish-looking John. “Hey, Mase. I figured you’d blow me off as usual.”
“This promised to be more entertaining than your usual poker nights. Besides, I thought you might need a skilled carpenter.” He side-eyed John and Moose. “No offense.”
“Well, I’m glad you’re all here. I’d like to introduce you to Samantha Mae Brooks. She’s almost two-and-a-half months old, and she’s my daughter.” At their silence, I cleared my throat. “Sorry if you heard through the grapevine already. I hid it until the last minute.”
Caleb nodded. “Understandable. If I got news like that, I’d be in denial too.”
“I wasn’t in denial exactly.” I blew out a breath. “All right, I was. It was a big shock. But now she’s here, and well, I love her. I’m so glad she’s mine.”
“Congratulations, man,” Moose said while August nodded in agreement. “She’s so cute. Will be a heartbreaker someday.”
“No, she won’t, because I carry a gun and I’m adding on a basement to lock her in so she can’t date.” I grinned as she reached up to tug on my whiskers. That was a new trick of hers. “Oh, and she’s also a genius. So, for the rest of you dads—sorry, suckers. Mine’s smarter than yours.”
Moose smiled. “Brayden could say ‘Da’ at five months. Come talk to me when she beats that.”
“Hmm.” Pushing that tidbit aside, I gave them my most encouraging smile. “Since you’re all here, you can help me set up something.”
August rubbed his hands together. “Oh, a crib, maybe? A Ladybug Treasures original. The line’s really taking off,” he added. “I’m going to be putting even more items in our shop.”
“That’s great. You do amazing work. I probably will contact you for one of those soon. Let’s go into my bedroom.”
Caleb shook his head. “Nah, man, I don’t really do the orgy thing. But good for you.”
I ignored him as I stepped into the hall and led the way to the master suite. Once I was inside, I shifted my now quiet daughter to my other arm and pointed toward the glass sliding doors to the deck.
“You’re all going to help me with a very important task. It’s baby’s first photo shoot time.”
“Say what?” Mason glanced at the deck. “You called all of us over here to help you arrange the kid on a bearskin rug?”
“It’s a pelt of fake snow, ass. And no, I wanted to tell all of you in person. If this works out,” I continued with a faint note of desperation, “any of you can use this deck for photo shoots too.”
Caleb put his hands together under his chin. “Really, can I?”
August whacked him on the back of the head. “Sure. We’d be happy to help.” He glanced at Moose, who nodded.
“Yeah. Okay.” John smiled. “Suppose it’s the least I can do.”
Mason rolled his eyes. “Let’s get this over with.”
Eighteen
I stroked the velvety ear of the little brown bunny sticking out of my baby basket. The laughter from the bar floated out to the parking lot. After a shaky start, it was now a sunny and semi-warm day in the Cove. The water lapped at the newly renovated pier and boat launch on the lakefront view of Sharky’s new property line.
My sister had done a damn good job of remodeling and expanding her little business in the short time she’d returned from the city. Erica and Jake had even married on that brand new dock in front of friends and family. What good was it to have the primo outdoor wedding venue if you couldn’t do it up right for yourself?
As with most people in Crescent Cove, they’d done things a little backwards, but Erica had been determined to get herself in a wedding dress before she was showing. Jacob Mills had been all about the fast-forwarded timeline. If he’d had his way, he’d have married her the
first day she stepped back in town.
Another best friends to married story for the annals of Crescent Cove. Even if they’d had a good chunk of time apart. Did that make it easier?
Was that why Jared and I had fumbled so very badly? The blurred lines between friends and…more had been moving for so long we hadn’t been able to see when it had actually changed.
I hugged the basket as I crossed the gravel parking lot. Minty green tulle with jaunty yellow balloons decorated the front door and porch. Frankie had obviously been involved. No one else in our family knew how to tie those kinds of bows or how to get that sort of material harnessed into a semblance of one.
My long navy wool coat flapped around my legs as I picked up the pace. I couldn’t screw around outside any longer. I was late. And I had to face that room of baby things. It wasn’t like I wasn’t surrounded by it at Jared’s place, but…
Everything felt a little bigger with the proof of an imminent newborn right here in the basket in my arms. The bunny, a caramel-colored blanket I’d finished crocheting in the summer, with the matching bear lovey, as well as enough bath time basics to open a small store.
Then there was Jared taking things into very public territory both with the stunt he pulled at Thanksgiving dinner, as well as what had happened right before the tree lighting ceremony. Never mind the betting pool.
It was a lot. Both good and bad.
The good part was definitely because a certain someone had kept me up far too late. Then wouldn’t let me go this morning.
Everything felt a little looser and brighter inside me. My long sex fast had been broken thoroughly. While I’d had more than one inappropriate thought about Jared over the years, it had nothing on the reality of him.
And us.
Together.
In all the ways.
The bad consisted of the nebulous future. I needed to take it day by day for now. Even if the future, and maybe the lack of one, was staring at me with large plastic eyes.
A big sign next to the door told me to take a rubber ducky before entering. The number on its butt was for the door prize drawing.
Again, that had to be my sister, Frankie. I just wasn’t that creative.
As I opened the door, more laughter and the ever annoying “Baby Shark” assaulted my ears. It would be a very good day in this world when that song was retired. I tucked my basket at the back of the gift table as I waved and smiled at the dozens of women wandering around the food tables.
My mother and Frankie were confabbing with Kayla over an empty chafing dish. My sister was sitting on a huge rattan chair that looked like it was a reject from school picture days. More tulle had been wrapped around the top part of the head rest and there were enough yellow and green balloons tied to it that I wondered if it was going to float into the rafters.
The cushion had been recovered in a baby pattern that could only mean it was a Kinleigh and August’s Attic refurb. And sure enough, Kin was pushing a matching footstool under Erica’s feet.
Erica huffed out an exasperated breath as people fussed over her.
My aunt Mindy kept trying to force a bottle of water into her hands, eventually giving up to sit by my abuela. Us Ramos women were the ultimate in stubbornness.
Kinleigh brought over a cup of punch.
“No, déjame levantarme!”
I winced and came forward. “All right, guys, give her a little space.”
Erica flailed like a beached whale, and I slid the footstool out of her way before grabbing her forearm to haul her up.
She rubbed the side of her belly. “Imma cut this baby out soon.”
“Now, now.”
Erica put her finger in my face. “Until you have a two-hundred-pound fetus bouncing on your bladder, I don’t want to hear it.”
That would be nearly impossible in my lifetime, but I stuffed down the immediate pang of longing and pasted on a half-smile. “You’re beautiful and definitely not carrying a freakishly large baby.”
“Says you,” Erica muttered as she finally got free of her special chair.
I waved off Kinleigh who was trying to come forward to help. “C’mon, Ric. Let’s empty the tank, and I’ll buy you a deviled egg.”
Erica bit her lower lip. “You saw deviled eggs?”
“I sure did.”
“Okay, deal.” She slid her arm through mine. It took an extra five minutes to get to the bathroom from her slow shuffle and sea of Ramos relatives.
Finally, Erica held up her arms. “I’m going to pee all over you people if you don’t let me by.”
And just like that, the Red Sea parted. I laughed and followed her into the bathroom.
Erica rushed into the stall and slammed the door. “You finally get out of the sheriff’s bed, hermanita?”
I leaned against the counter. “Oh, don’t you start.”
Erica let out a whoosh of relief. “I swear, if I go twenty minutes between trips to the bathroom, it’s a miracle.” The toilet flushed and she came out, waving me out of the way. She washed her hands and took the paper towels I handed her.
She cocked her hip on the counter. “You look well…rested.” She lifted her chin and narrowed her eyes. “You’re using double protection, right?”
I stared at my toes. “Don’t worry, I’m aware of the baby water in this town.”
And oh, how I wished it would actually happen in my case. But non-fully functional ovaries didn’t work well, especially when they were also getting bombarded by cysts. Luckily, I hadn’t had the cyst problems in almost a year, but a lot of damage had been done.
Maybe too much.
Erica nudged my chin up. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah. Just a lot of craziness right now.” I definitely wasn’t putting that on my sister. Not when I could see the fatigue lines around her eyes and mouth. So, I went with the default crazy subject—Jared. “Sleeping with your best friend is weird. Especially when he’s the sheriff and people are nosy as hell and insane stuff keeps happening.”
She crossed her arms, resting them on her impressive belly. “Go on.”
I lowered my voice. “We got pulled over by his deputy.” I laced my fingers together. “It wasn’t good.”
Erica tipped her head back and her laughter echoed around the bathroom. “Oh, girl. You will have to get used to that. Do you know how many firemen have interrupted us at this point?”
“This was just Christian, but ugh. So embarrassing, especially since he actually gave me a speeding ticket the same day.”
My sister’s laughter doubled and bubbled up with tears at the corners of her eyes. “No.”
“Oh, yeah. Thanksgiving—that’s why I was late.”
“And you were all hookered up.”
I put my hands on my hips. “I was not hookered up.”
“Nena, you were definitely wearing a ‘Let’s Get It On’ outfit. And if the energy in the room wasn’t lying, I bet you did.”
“Whatever. Anyway.”
My sister snorted.
“Anyway, it’s weird. Intense. Amazing.” I blew out a breath. “But weird. And I don’t know where it’s going and it’s just a mess.”
“Look, we all knew you two would get your shit sorted eventually. Personally, the eventually was way longer than I thought it would be. I lost—”
“You did not put money in that betting pool!”
“Oh, I did. I figured you’d cave on your birthday.” She gave me a little shrug. “Both of you are too stubborn for words.”
“I can’t believe you.”
“I’m not sure you’re aware of the vibe you two give off.”
I held up a hand. I really didn’t need another person speaking to me like I was oblivious. Even if I was. “I’ve been told.”
“Yeah, well, enjoy it. Ride it. Do whatever you want with all that energy.”
“But—”
Erica pointed that finger at me again. I really hated that finger. “You need to learn to have a little fun. Both you an
d Jared need to loosen up. Enjoy one another, and Dios, wear a condom or seven.” She rubbed the side of her belly. “This Crescent Cove magic is no joke.”
Like that was going to happen.
“Well, let’s get you back to that princess chair.”
She rolled her eyes. “Bless Kinleigh, but that chair is nuts. We’re totally keeping it in the storage room for future parties though.”
I laughed. My sister, ever the marketing queen. “Well, you can park your butt in it first, and then we can open all those gifts.”
Her dark eyes sparkled as her smile widened. “That’s the best part. I peeked in a few of the bags. So many cute little booties.” She pinched her fingers together, leaving the smallest space. “Such teeny-tiny baby feet. It sure doesn’t feel like they’re tiny when this little boy or girl is trying to kick its way out of my ribcage.”
“I’m impressed you didn’t cave and find out the baby’s sex.”
“Jake is too. But this whole thing has been a surprise, so what’s one more, right?”
“You’re amazing, Ric.”
She grabbed my hand. In a flash, her soft smile turned a little feral. “I’m not. I’m so scared. Every day, I take out Tía Lucia’s rosary just to calm myself down. Do you know the last time I used a rosary?”
I held both her hands in mine. “It’s okay. You’re supposed to be a little scared. My indomitable older sister.” I pulled her in for a hug. The Ramos women liked to seem like they didn’t have any faults or fears. I was pretty sure we all just liked to hide them.
The door to the bathroom opened, and Frankie stuck her head in. “Is there a powwow going on and I wasn’t invited?”
Erica opened one of her arms. “Get in here. With all the people swarming around at Thanksgiving, we barely got to chat.”
Frankie rushed to us and we hugged tighter. “Are we crying about something,” she whispered to me.
I laughed and sniffled. “Just reminding our dear sister that she’s fearless.”
“Of course she is.” Frankie turned to Erica. “Married a fireman and having a baby and a business. That’s fucking fearless.”
“See?”