“And, it will be funny to have photo evidence of Hawk drooling over you. Any time we see the two of you together, he’s like a little puppy. And I need that for blackmail.”
Jessie laughed, but Mae’s face never broke from her serious glare.
“I don’t know. It’s one thing to take a few pictures in front of a mirror for him to have, but hiring a photographer and going out somewhere to take pictures feels like a hassle to me.”
“Well,” Adrienne sighed. “You still have time to decide! And heck, you don’t have to hire anyone. I’ll take them for you for free!”
“I’ll think about it. Thank you both for being so sweet.”
Mae gasped, her eyes on the rack in front of her. “Oh, Jessie! This was meant for you. Look!”
Jessie walked over, her heart beating wildly in her chest as she looked down at the fabric Mae’s fingers were running over. Because on the beautiful pale blue fabric, tiny flowers and little bumblebees were embroidered in a haphazard pattern. It wasperfect.
“It’s stunning. But Bee is a girl. And…” She brought her fingers up to the tag, willing it to be on sale, even though she hadn’t seen a single sale tag yet in the ridiculously overpriced boutique. Her eyes nearly fell out of her head at the price. “Four-hundred dollars!”
“You would look fabulous in it, Jess. Didn’t my brother give you his card for today?”
“Oh my god, Mae. I would never spend that much money on a dress. I can’t… I can’t breathe. We shouldn’t have even touched it! And he gave me his card because I need to pick up maternity clothes.”
“That dress is maternity clothes,” Adrienne giggled. “Besides, you would look incredible in it. And I bet Hawk would have fun helping you out of it after you gave him a little fashion show.”
“You two are the worst. I’m going to find some granny panties and nursing bras. Which is what Hawk and I discussed me buying today. That’s all we’re here for.”
Jessie looked at the dress one last time before turning and walking away from her smiling friends. She knew Hawk would have no problem with her spending that money, but she couldn’t.
Once she made her way into the lingerie section of the store, her fingers traced over the cutest black satin teddy. There was a slit in the fabric just below the bust that would show off her belly…
“You definitely have to get that!” Adrienne giggled as Jessie let her hand fall down to her side.
“You scared me! Where’s Mae?”
“Still over by the dress rack. She was smiling all satisfied and looking at her phone, so I figured she was texting with Stone and I’d come find you. I swear, that was made for you.”
“Hawk would love it. He’s crazy about my bump, which is so sweet.”
“Are you kidding me? The way that man looks at you is fucking hot, Jess.”
“Yeah, well, I’m sure that new man of yours looks at you the same way.”
“Oh my god. It’s unreal. I feel so lucky.” Adrienne ran her fingers over a lace bra on the next rack over. “But long distance is so hard.”
“I can’t even imagine.”
She stepped closer, her voice dropping to a whisper as she looked around the store. “Thank God for phone sex. I wouldhave died by now. He’s a talker, and oh my god. The things he says with that mouth.”
Jessie’s face flushed as she thought about the last time she’d been with Hawk. Now that she was feeling better, and had hit a stride, Jessie realized she wanted to go back to that fast and furious, overheated and desperate connection they started out with.
“Ahhh, I see the wheels turning in your head. Hawk’s going to be a happy man tonight, isn’t he?”
Jessie nodded, her hands wrapping around the silky fabric before snatching the hanger off the rack and marching towards the register.
“I, for one, am thankful we’re about to partake in some walking,” Jessie groaned as she stretched out her back. They’d dropped Adrienne off at her house to get ready for her shift at the diner before heading over to the park. It was a gorgeous day out, and Jessie was ready to forget her guilt over spending Hawk’s money. Some time with the girls would be perfect. “I indulged a little too much at lunch.”
“You aren’t feeling sick, are you?” Mae asked, her concern immediately making Jessie emotional. God. She was so ready for her body to be done with all those extra coursing hormones.
“No. Not at all.” She raised her wrist and smiled. “I’ll never get over Hawk researching these things, and actually finding something that worked for me.”
“He was a mess while you were feeling so sick. I think we all felt like we could finally breathe when he said it worked.”
