She didn’t have to specify who she was talking about, all the girls inquired about Cal on a regular basis.
I fought the urge to roll my eyes. I didn’t dare, for fear of my very hormonal friend. Why on earth everyone was so interested in my love life, or lack thereof, was beyond my comprehension.
“I may have,” I said vaguely. I bit back a groan at the look of pure joy that lit all their faces at this news. “You guys need to give it up already. We were never... anything. He’s been in Vegas, I’m sure he’s got a woman down there—or a few,” I added. Even I heard the indecision in my tone.
“I seriously doubt it, Jilly.” Connie shook her head. “You could never see it. The rest of us,”—she gestured toward Scarlet, Piper, Ettie, and Sophie—“we all see it. The man has it bad for you. Always has. And Christ, he’s hot.” She sighed dramatically.
“He may be my father-in-law, and even I can admit he’s hot, but I think your hormones are in overdrive, preggo,” Scarlet cut in teasingly.
Connie rolled her eyes, her hands on her belly. “Speak for yourself,” she replied pointedly. With Scarlet, Connie, and Sophie all pregnant, the Knights had their hands full.
So did those of us whose hormones were within the normal stratosphere.
“I just love how he looks at you.” Ettie sighed blissfully.
“Maybe you should go out with him,” I muttered dryly, watching as Mason and Maddox toddled over to the box of toys Piper kept in the store.
“I don’t think my man would like that very much.” She laughed.
“You have a point,” I agreed with a smile.
“Plus, you’re the only one he wants,” Scarlet added knowingly. Scarlet was married to Cole, VP of the Knights MC and Cal’s son.
I groaned, dropping my face into my arm on the counter.
“Let’s let poor Jilly out of the hot seat, shall we?” Sophie cut in.
“Yes, let’s,” I replied, my voice muffled as I continued to bury my face.
“I have to go home anyway.” Scarlet spoke up. “Cole took Gracie to the park this morning and I want to see her before she goes down for her nap. I’ll torture you another day,” she teased, wrapping an arm around my shoulders and squeezing briefly.
I smiled good-naturedly, watching as she grabbed her bag and with a final wave headed out into the sunshine.
“Gracie needs a nap and so do I.” Connie yawned.
“You feeling okay?” I asked. The nurse in me wanted to ask while the friend in me had to.
“I’m fine, just tired,” Connie assured me. “I don’t need another worrywart on my hands,” she added dryly. “Wes would bubble wrap the planet if he could.” She rolled her eyes as she spoke of her husband.
“Same with Axel.” Sophie sighed.
“I think it’s sweet.” I smiled.
Connie snorted. “Tell me how you feel when you join the club.” She winked.
“Not this again,” I groaned.
“Fine,” she agreed, all too easily. “God, I never thought I’d be too tired to give you shit about Cal. I must really need a nap.”
“You must. Why don’t you go do that then?” I replied with exaggerated sweetness.
Piper burst out laughing at our antics as Connie wrapped me in a hug. “Talk to you ladies later.”
“Later,” Piper replied, still laughing as I waved.
“You need help with anything, Pipe?” Sophie asked. We frequently pitched in around the store. All of us knew how to ring customers up and had the inventory down pat.
“I’m good,” Piper replied. “Eve will be here shortly to take over,” she added, referring to her fiancé, Ryker’s, mom, who frequently worked at the boutique with her.
