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“You’re the prettiest girl I’ve ever seen.” My words are a tiny bit slurred, but I can’t help myself. She is the prettiest girl I’ve ever seen.
“And you’re my new best friend,” she replies with a laugh.
“Stasia, this is Izzy,” Keegan says. “My newest employee. Anastasia is married to my brother, Kane. The bozo behind her.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” I say and then look down. “Oh, wow. You’re pregnant. In a bar.”
“I’m very pregnant,” she agrees and pats her belly. “This little one should be coming along in a few weeks. Oh, and it’s kicking.”
“Can I feel?” I ask. “It’s okay if you’d rather not, but I’ve never felt that before.”
“Of course.” She takes my hand and places it over the side of her stomach, and after just a couple of seconds, I feel a flutter under my hand.
“Oh, wow.”
“The little stinker kicks me all the damn time.”
“Do you know if it’s a boy or a girl?” I ask.
“No.” Anastasia looks up at her husband. “Kane didn’t want to know until he or she is born.”
“The surprise is fun,” I say, feeling myself starting to sober up. Shawn comes out of the kitchen with my nachos, Lexi on his heels.
“You’re here!” Lexi exclaims and hugs Anastasia tightly. “I’m so happy you’re home.”
“They’ve been in Ireland for the past month or so,” Keegan informs me.
“We’re happy to be home, as well,” Anastasia says. “I was worried they wouldn’t let me fly because I’m so far along in my pregnancy, but I’ve been perfectly healthy, and the doctor gave me the thumbs-up.”
“When are Ma and Da coming?” Shawn asks.
“Next week,” Keegan answers. “I spoke with Da this morning.”
“They wouldn’t miss the birth of their first grandchild,” Lexi interjects. “We’re all thrilled for you.”
“Even I am, and I just met you,” I say as I finally take my hand away from the round belly. “That’s not awkward at all.”
“Nope. Because you’re my new bestie, remember?” Stasia says with a wink.
Man, I really like these people.
* * *
The nachos were a bad idea.
I moan and turn over in bed, frowning when I hear what sounds like loud whispering on the other side of the bedroom door.
“You knew she was staying here.” That’s Keegan.
“But I didn’t know she was sleeping in your bed,” Maggie’s voice retorts. “You’re not supposed to sleep with the employees, Keegan, no matter how pretty they are.”
Aww. She thinks I’m pretty.
“I’m not sleeping with her,” he says. “Jesus, Mary Margaret, she’s in my bed, but I sleep on the couch.”
I sit up and press a hand to my head. Ugh, last night was fun, but I won’t be repeating it anytime soon.
I stand and open the door, then smile at the three people on the other side.
“Hi.”
Maggie turns. “Oh, good morning. We were whispering so we wouldn’t wake you up.”
“Right. Scream-whispering is super quiet.”
The other woman laughs and then turns to Keegan. “I like her.”
“You must be Maeve.”
“And you’re Izzy.” Maeve shakes my hand. “I’ve heard a lot about you. I’m sorry I haven’t been around. I had a conference in Hawaii and decided to stay for a couple of weeks for vacation.”
I blink at her and then laugh. It’s that or cry. “Seems everyone is getting tropical vacations these days.”
“I highly recommend it,” Maeve says and then gets an elbow to the stomach from Maggie. “What?”
“Anyway, I just wanted to save Keegan’s reputation. He’s not sleeping with me. He’s taking the couch, which I’ve told him repeatedly he doesn’t have to do. I would probably fit there better than he does.”
“I thought there was an air mattress up here,” Maggie says. “I’m so sorry, Izzy. You can come stay with me. I actually have an extra bedroom with a bathroom. It’s just sitting there unused.”
I frown and glance up at Keegan, who still hasn’t said anything. “But would you be okay here by yourself?”
His lips turn up in humor as Maeve laughs her butt off.
“He’s going to be just fine,” Maeve insists.
“You don’t have to go if you’d rather not,” Keegan says. “I’m not kicking you out. But, yes, I’ll be fine if you decide to go and stay with Maggie. I’ll still see you when you come to work.”
I nod, thinking it over. It would be nice to have a little more space, and Keegan would get his bed back.
“I think it’s kind of a no-brainer. You need your bed, Keegan.”
He shrugs a shoulder. “It’s up to you.”
“Are you sure? I can start paying you rent next month,” I say to Maggie.
“Oh, we’ll figure it out. And, yes, I’m sure. We can move you over this morning.”
I smile, starting to get excited at the thought of sharing a place with Maggie. I’ve come to think of the other woman as a good friend.
“Thank you so much.”
“Oh, and these arrived for you,” Keegan says, pointing at two brown boxes. “I’ll make you some coffee.”
