"I resent them so much," I gripe, cradling my sensitive breasts.
"As president of the itty bitty titty committee, I resent you for saying that," Lexi glares playfully in my direction. “I’m about to give birth any day now and my cup size has barely budged. This isn't even fair."
Jessa sighs happily. “You’re going to be so cute with a baby bump, Penny.” She's across the room browsing through the bridal shop's new arrivals. She pulls an ivory-toned princess-style gown off the rack and stands in front of the mirror with the dress pasted to her body.
I smile and bite down on my bottom lip. "I can’t wait to have a little bump to show off...Actually, I can’t wait to experience all the firsts," I confess.
God, I'm just so excited about this. Sure, I’m in my thirties and a little late to the party. But that just makes this time even sweeter for me. I’d like to think I have more patience than younger mothers. More wisdom. More appreciation for the important things in life. I will be a good mom for this child.
"We're so happy for you..." Iris throws her arms around me and gives me a squeeze.
“Tell us about the baby daddy,” Jessa coos. She swaps the princess-style dress for a lacy mermaid-cut gown from another clothing rack. “How are things between you and Walker?”
I lift one shoulder and rifle through the candy bag on the counter in front of me. “Same as always. Me and Walker are just friends.”
Friends who made a baby together. That’s normal, right?
I keep my attention on the candy bag, trying to ignore the looks my friends share. I'm so tangled up inside. I can’t handle them calling me out on this.
Though deep down, I can’t help the feeling that, after all the nights Walker and I have spent together, just friends won't be enough for me from here on out.
He seems to be reading my thoughts from across town because within minutes, my phone rings and it's him. My pulse pounds loud enough to drown out the girls’ chatter as I step aside and answer.
"Hey..." I speak into the receiver.
"Hey..." I hear something tender in his voice.
In the heavy silence that ensues, my heart beats faster. My cellular memory instantly evokes the warm sensation of his breath at the base of my neck first thing in the morning, the way his fingers feel locked with mine when he’s fucking me from behind, the way he unconsciously pulls my body up against his in his sleep. There's a pang in my stomach knowing I'll never experience those things again. Now, the memories are all I have left.
Please don't feel these feelings, I beg my heart again.
The guttural sound of an engine fills the line. "Are you on the tractor?" I ask to fill the lull in conversation. At my question, each and every one of my girlfriends swing their eyes my way. Their cheesy grins are identical. They've figured out who I'm talking to.
The engine cuts off. "Yeah, I'm just finishing up the day. I'm about to go home and grab a quick shower." And now, of course, I'm imagining him wet and naked and bending me over under the spray. Shit. "What are you up to?" he asks casually. "Do you have plans tonight?"
I glance over at my shameless audience. They stare unapologetically. I angle my back to them for a little privacy. "I'm just hanging out with the girls. I wanted to give them the news. I'm going home soon."
He smiles and I can hear it through the line. "Good," he says. "Because I've got plans for us?"
"Plans?" I furrow my brows and now I feel myself smiling, too.
"Yup. You're gonna go home and you're gonna put on one of your fancy dresses and I'm gonna pick you up in an hour," he announces, all bossy and sexy.
"Why's that?"
"I made reservations at Le Sous-Sol, Penn."
"You did? Why?" Walker is a notorious homebody. This is totally out of character for him.
“Because my best friend is pregnant and, tonight, we're gonna celebrate," he announces.
My breath hitches and I don't even know what to say.
"One hour, Princess," he repeats. "Be ready." The line goes dead.
Slowly, I spin back toward my friends. My cheeks are blazing. "He's taking me to dinner," I tell the girls.
Lexi wiggles her eyebrows. Iris gasps out loud. From across the room, Jessa holds up two big, pouffy wedding dresses. "Take your pick, girl. 'Cause I hear wedding bells a-ringing."
29
Walker
I'm starving." I hear Penny's stomach grumble vigorously above the low music. Again.
She peers around self-consciously at the restaurant's elegant patrons. Le Sous-Sol is where all the tourists go when they're looking for a fancy-pants French dinner. Now that it's almost summer, the visitors have started trickling into our quaint coastal town. Business is in full swing for the service industry establishments around Crescent Harbor.
"Gosh, sorry. This is embarrassing," she whispers, her teeth sinking into her decadent bottom lip. "It's just another one of those pregnancy things, I guess."
"Yeah, you're hungry. Good thing you're at a restaurant, huh? You don't need to be embarrassed. Fuck these uptight assholes." When I say that, she grins.
Leaning across the table, I squeeze her hand. It's meant to be an innocent, comforting touch, but I feel something electric. From the way Penny's breath catches, I'm wondering if she feels it, too.
Her eyes quickly shift back to the menu and she focuses intently on selecting a meal.
Her belly growls again. We both look up from our menus and make eye contact over the cluster of candles in the middle of the table. We share another private grin and instantly, some of the heaviness in the atmosphere dissipates.
I'm wearing one of those sweaters she bought me. Another fucking turtleneck. At first, I didn't really like them but now, I guess they don't look that bad. And I like the way Penny looks at me when I wear them. They're definitely not going to become my every day style but tonight is a special night and I want to do everything to make Penny happy.
When I reach up and pull the turtleneck away from
