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We arrived at the resort where the signing will take place, checked in, avoided bringing my mother, and now, we’re lounging in the grass by the lake. My baby bump is officially impossible to miss. “I think my boobs are bigger, too,” I mutter, glaring down at the little triangles working overtime to keep me covered.
“You’re four months pregnant, Magnolia; of course, they are.” Joss levels me with a look that signals I’m being weird. “Tyler should be here any minute,” she comments after checking her phone.
He’s a nice guy. Cute, funny, attractive to most, but he does nothing for me. Not like Cage. Nobody has ever affected me the way he does. I haven’t heard from the man since we spoke the morning my mother arrived, and I have no idea when he’s coming by. Which is why the doubts have made me more of an emotional mess this week. I’ve spent the past four mornings crying in the shower. Some of that is the ridicule from my mom, but mostly, it’s the uncertainty of seeing Cage.
“Great,” I mutter when Joss looks up at me.
“Don’t worry, I’ll be the buffer,” she laughs. At first, Joss thought it was cute that Tyler would hit on me during the photo shoot for her cover, but then his persistence extended beyond the day we spent together. I never gave him or anyone from that day my number, but somehow, he’d gotten it.
“I’m sure this”—I rub my stomach fondly—“will keep him at bay this time.”I hope.The calls and texts had been daily at first, but about a month ago, they turned into weekly. I wish they would stop altogether. I don’t know that there are many more ways for me to turn him down nicely.
“Hopefully,” she murmurs as her phone chimes again.
“Everything okay, Joss?” Her frown doesn’t bode well.
“Yeah…” She pauses before scowling down at the device. “Yes, everything’s fine.” Her bright smile comes off as forced, and I wonder what just happened.
“Are you hungry?” I ask her suddenly. “I’m starving.”
“When aren’t you?” Her laughter tinkles this time, and I know whatever that was, has been pushed to the back of her mind. “Fries?” She points to the small food shack.
“Would it ruin my image if I said a burger, too?”
She throws her head back and lets out an infectious laugh that grabs the attention of a few men at the bar. “Chocolate or strawberry shake?”
“Both?” They both sound delicious.
“You got it.” As she stands, I notice some of the men watching her. Joss is beautiful. Short, curvy, killer smile and kind eyes. She’s the kind of girl you want forever with—the epitome of a girl next door. But my best friend believes she’s damaged goods, so she won’t put herself out there.
It doesn’t help that she’s head over heels in love with a man that relocated her far away from her cult family a few years ago. I understand she bears the scars from her old life, both emotionally and physically, but I wish she’d get that happily ever after she’s been chasing in her books.
A shadow blocks the sun as I watch Joss, and it’s not until I glance out of my peripheral vision that I notice a man in board shorts and an unzipped life jacket and realize he’s here to speak with me.
“Uhm, hello?” I’m blinded by the sun as he takes a step aside and sits down on the end of my lounge chair. Drawing my legs up, my knees raise, hiding my bump.
“You’re looking mighty lonely out here,” he says, a brow arched as he places a hand down, just short of touching the bottom of my ass.
“Nope. My friend went to get us some food.” I point to Jossilyn as she’s ordering.
“Pretty girl like you shouldn’t be out here all alone. Unprotected.” The hairs on my nape lift at his choice of words. There’s something about his accent as well. It’s familiar, but I have a hard time placing it.
“I’m not.” I repeat my words slower this time, “My friend is right there.” His gaze flicks to Joss, and the smirk on his face tells me all I need to know.
“How’s she going to protect a pretty thing like you?” Scooting back a little farther, I’m surprised when his hand encases my ankle.
“I don’t need her to.” I kick his hand off my leg and stand up. “I can protect myself.” His eyes are immediately drawn to my belly. The quirk of his lips puts me on edge. Wrapping an arm across myself, I grab our bag and head over to Joss. This asshole ruined the entire afternoon.
“I think maybe we should eat in our room.” My eyes shift to find the creep still sitting there, staring at me.
“He hassling you?” She looks ready to spit fire.
“Sort of,” I mutter, my bravado fading, and I feel vulnerable again.
“Why don’t you ladies have a seat here to eat? We’ll flick off any unwanted assholes.” The girl behind the counter glares at the man I ran from.
“Sure.” I slide onto the empty stool next to Joss as we wait for our order.
“What was he saying to you?” I glance at her when he finally stands up and starts walking back to the boats.
