Page 36 of Baby, It’s Hot Inside

Instead, my father bought me an erector set, because he wanted me to grow up to be an architect. That Christmas taught me two things: first, I would probably always be a disappointment to my father. Second, you can’t let anyone else dictate what you do with your life or Christmas won’t be the only thing that gets ruined.

What I know now that I didn’t understand then is that my dad just wanted me to be successful enough to support myself financially so that I would never have to rely on a man. Me? I just wanted to take care of other people and help them feel pretty. I’ve always believed that everyone is beautiful in their own way. I just want to help people see that.

Do I make tons of money? No. But I make enough to support myself, so my dad and I are both happy.

But that early lesson about my dad’s expectations for me? Sometimes, it still stings. Sometimes, I wonder if even back then he knew something I didn’t. If he sensed that my path to love, family, and domestic stability wouldn’t be smooth. Or exist at all.

If he had known, I sure wish he’d given me a head’s up. I could have used some warning on that front. My love life has been a shit show for more than a decade now, ever since my high school sweetheart, Matt Hardin broke up with me.

The kicker? Matt didn’t actually want to break up with me. His best friend, Luca Daniels, the asshole to end all assholes, convinced him that I wasn’t good enough for him.

Way to be a dick, right?

How was that even Luca’s business?

Now, don’t get me wrong, it’s been a few years since graduation—more like a decade—and it’s not that I’m still bitter. I look at Matt now and see his thinned hair and his paunchy belly and I wonder if things would have been different had he stayed with me, instead of marrying Sylvie Smith.

But that’s just one of those things I’ll never know. Thanks to the aforementioned Luca Daniels, who unfortunately doesn’t haven’t thinning hair or a paunchy belly. Nope, he’s still as hot and delicious looking now as he was when we were seniors. Even more so, if I’m being honest. And though I want to hate the guy, I can’t even do that because I’ve seen how he treats his younger sister, Savannah—who just so happens to be my closest friend and fellow hair stylist.

I work in her salon. She’s much younger than I am. In fact, she’s closer to my little sister, Roni’s age. Still, Savannah and I work together every day and you can’t be that close on a daily basis—especially in a town the size of Saddle Creek—and not become friends. Maybe the fact that her brother and I don’t get along would be more of a problem, but he’s a big FBI agent somewhere and doesn’t grace us with his presence very often.

So aside from Savannah’s wedding earlier this year, I haven’t had to deal with seeing Luca’s stupid handsome face all that often. Ugh, why am I even thinking about him?

The truth is, I just need a little break from Saddle Creek and all the things. Things that I don’t particularly want to think about right now.

Like the fact that if I have to see one more pregnant belly, I just might scream. Okay, that’s probably not completely true. It’s more likely that I’ll fall to pieces, and no one wants that. Least of all me. Especially this close to Christmas.

I just thought that by now in my life I’d be married with a couple of kids under foot and instead I’m not even dating anyone. Haven’t in years. So there’s no hope of a baby unless I want to do that on my own, which I consider periodically.

Which is obviously why, two days ago, Savannah, my dear sweet friend and one of the pregnant bellies, pulled me aside at the back of the salon.

“Jackie, you have not eaten any Hot Fries in nearly two weeks, and I’m concerned.”

In any other circumstance, I probably would have found her legitimate concern about me giving up my favorite snack humorous. Most days it seemed like I was on the edge of an emotional breakdown. And I refused to make Savannah feel bad about her baby or her perfect marriage.

“I got a bad batch a while back and just lost my taste for them for a while.” I shrug. “It’s truly nothing to worry about.”

Her hand goes to her rounded belly. Savannah’s curvy, like me, so maybe some might not even realize that she’s growing a baby in there. But a plus sized bump is still a bump, and the truth is, I’m jealous.

She gives me a sweet grin. “Ren booked this baby moon cabin trip for us, but I just don’t want to go. I’m still having morning sickness and the thought of sitting in a car and driving up to the Arbuckle mountains in Oklahoma makes me want to cry. So, I’m gifting you the trip. I’ve already rescheduled your clients.”

I stare at my friend, disbelieving her words. No one has ever given me a trip, even one that will be just a few hours north of where I live. “Are you serious?”

“Absolutely. Mrs. Lyttle was annoyed, but I assured her that I could cut and curl her hair just as well or she could wait until you returned.”

I snort. “I’m guessing she’s waiting.”

“Oh yes, I’m far too inexperienced to know what I’m doing with hair like hers. The texture is complex.”

“So true, so true. You could never figure out how to cut and style hair that’s thick and wavy. So complex.” I stare at my friend for a minute. “Are you sure about the cabin though?”

“Absolutely. You need this. Go and rest and enjoy yourself. I’ll email you all the details.”

Now I am half an hour’s drive away from the cabin and snow is falling sparkly on my windshield. The flakes are tiny and not sticking yet, but I know there is more in the forecast.

My phone rings over my SUV speakers, and I press the button to answer.

“Tell me again when you’ll get back?” my sister asks.