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Nova suggested, “Taking walks made Sleepy Eye feel like home.”
“Okay, I’ve already been thinking about taking the dogs for walks once my foot heals. York said Junior doesn’t know how to handle himself on a leash. I can practice with him.”
“When I lived in that neighborhood,” Nova said, sounding a little homesick, “I would sit in the backyard around nine in the morning with the girls. With everyone at work or school, it was so quiet and comfortable there. If you’re ever feeling overwhelmed, that might help you settle down.”
“Quiet is good. Well, until York and I have a baby.”
“Do you plan to have a baby right away?” Kat asked.
Sighing, I mumbled, “Everyone is getting pregnant. I shouldn’t be a follower. But I’ve had baby fever ever since I fell for York.”
The women shared an expression that made me feel like I was starring in the “Invasion of the Body Snatchers,” and they were looking to bring me into their hive mind.
“Do you plan on getting pregnant soon?” I asked Maria.
The twins shared one of their identical smiles before Maria explained, “Farley and I are thinking of trying after the wedding this summer.”
I looked at Nova and asked, “Will you be sad if I get pregnant and steal your thunder?”
“No, because I got pregnant and stole Lula’s thunder.”
A smiling Lula patted her sister-in-law’s nonexistent baby bump. She then gave Ivy’s flat belly a loving caress. The pregnant mama vibe filled the room.
After finishing my egg roll, I admitted, “I should probably be able to walk unaided before I start carrying a small human in my body.”
The women again fell into their hive mind. As they watched me, I felt them filling my head with pictures of babies. I even started imagining a tiny York cradled in my arms. The baby felt so real that I swooned.
“I’ve never seen any of York’s baby pictures,” I mumbled and sighed. “I still don’t know so much about him.”
“Solving those little mysteries is fun,” Ivy said and grinned wistfully. “I didn’t know anything about Clint when he moved me into his condo. Our first year together was great. Everything was new. Even the stressful stuff was fun. Our relationship didn’t pan out in the normal way, but I loved every minute.”
A year ago, the room’s current vibe would have irritated me. Though I had been nursing a crush on York, I was far from craving commitment, let alone offspring.
Now, I felt like I was surrounded by kindred spirits. With these lovestruck foxes filling my head with thoughts of weddings and babies, I was ready to visit Baton Rouge and begin building a life with York.
YORK
Exile stood with Clint and Rock at the grill on the back patio. The yard was decked out with colorful string lights and balloons. Several tables were organized across the grassy yard. Jim Croce’s voice came from the outdoor speakers.
As Clint handed me a frosty beer, Rock eyed me. The Crimson Guard VP hadn’t hidden his disdain toward Goldie spending time in Baton Rouge. A few days ago, he interrogated me about my house’s security. He also demanded proof that the former Black Rainbow members wouldn’t start trouble. When I only sighed, Rock nearly lost his shit. However, Goldie found my disinterest in pleasing her VP to be incredibly sexy. I was even rewarded with a blowjob that night.
“This thing must feel insane,” Rock said, emphasizing the last word. “You went from a secret relationship to engaged in two weeks.”
“Not really,” I lied, refusing to admit the last two weeks were a fucking roller coaster for me. “I always wanted more from Goldie. Finding her alive that night lit a fire under my ass.”
Rock wasn’t much bigger than me. But something about his build made him feel larger. His buzzcut dark hair made his strong features extra intimidating. His light green eyes would normally be considered soft on a man. With Rock, they radiated hostility even when he wasn’t angry.
“Can Goldie and Elle ride safely in your town?”
“I can’t be sure,” I said and shrugged. “Of course, Goldie couldn’t ride safely in this town, either.”
Rock snarled at me, while Clint nodded. I wasn’t falling for their good cop-bad cop routine. The only reason Clint wasn’t genuinely hostile about Goldie’s move to Baton Rouge was he wanted a local friend for his sister. Otherwise, he didn’t trust Baton Rouge any more than Rock did.
“I hadn’t planned to ask at your engagement party, but since we’re being hostile,” Clint said, “let me be a dickhead.”
“Have at it,” I replied. “It’ll give your VP a break.”
Rock glared at me before scanning the area filled with people.
