I chuckle to myself, knowing the answer is funny enough, because it could be seen as odd to many people that two ex-spouses live together. “We get along. I’ve been napping so much, plus driving over to Olive Owl to help plan some events for my uncles, and I’m still teaching a few yoga classes, too. Carter still has sheriff duties and his campaign for mayor. In the end, we don’t see one another as much as I thought.”
Hailey plays with the fork for her brownie. “Sounds like that kind of disappoints you.”
“I mean, it helps us avoid major topics. Not ideal, but it makes my life easier.”
Hailey smiles warily at me. “Hmm, I would say you both need to circle back to the issues.”
I glance down to my belly. “You’re right. I’m already getting fat.”
Both women lean to their sides and look under the table before scoffing a sound. “You’re really not. I can’t even tell that you’re with child,” Esme comments.
“Yeah, I agree. Besides, it’s not fat when there is a baby in there. They are two different things, so screw your logic back on your head, please.”
I have a lopsided grin. “Perhaps a solid point.”
Hailey smirks to herself. “I think you should take a step. Dive into discussion. He seems to want that.”
“How would you know?”
Esme joins in on the wicked-look front. “Because he walked in and noticed you instantly, and now, he has this broody kind of thing happening.”
I instantly steal a glance over my shoulder when I see Carter taking a cleansing breath where he’s standing in his uniform, holding his hat by his side. He’s always been a traditional man and never wears hats inside. He steps in our direction, unsure but also pleased by my presence.
I swing my gaze back forward and feel a flutter inside of me as if I’m a girl with a crush.
“Ladies,” he greets us.
My lips roll in while my friends say hi. I feel his eyes razor into me, and I smile politely. “Hi. I didn’t see you this morning.”
“I didn’t see you last night, either.”
Esme and Hailey nearly choke on their drinks, with Hailey even needing to pat her chest.
“For the love of… Will you two get your minds out of the gutter,” I chide them.
Carter’s upper lip twitches, and he’s keeping his entertained grin under wraps, because he doesn’t seem to mind the assumed thoughts of half of Foxy Rox.
“Of course, sorry,” Esme says seriously, but she can’t keep a straight face.
Carter moves past the little hiccup in our conversation. “I just came in for coffee. I wasn’t expecting to see you here.”
“Me neither. Here.” I slide my plate to him. “Have my muffin, you love blueberry.”
Because I know all of his likes and dislikes in and out of the bedroom. The way he hates when I try to lead. Or the fact that he loves to pin me to a mattress. Of course, he has this whole no-shower-alone rule… when we were together, that is. And out of the bedroom, he watches hockey, hates dry grass, has an odd troll obsession, and let me once convince him to try yoga.
“Thanks.” His sweltering gaze causes my clit to pulse. I’m so doomed when the extra sexually needy part hits in the second trimester. “Oh, uh, I got you some more of those candles you like. The ones that don’t have a smell, just sit in those crystal healing rocks or something like that. I was out on the county road. That lady who has that store that’s only open at odd times was open.”
That makes everything inside of me lift with joy, and I release a short laugh. He always thought it was crazy. When we were married, I had way too many candles all over the house, even I can admit that. “I’m sure you had a blast walking in there,” I tease.
He lifts his hat up, and his brows lift then drop. “Well, she was relieved that I wasn’t stopping by for law enforcement reasons, and when she saw I was clueless, she helped me out.”
“I can only imagine.”
“Anyhow, I should get going. Need my coffee and to head to the station.”
Maybe it disappoints me a little. A low-key conversation is exactly what the doctor ordered, it seems. I don’t mind a single bit. I could carry on, even if down to my toes, my body is heightened from him being close.
“Okay. See you at home,” I tell him.
