My Ex's Baby (Crescent Cove 8)

Music and laughter chased the wind as whoops and catcalls came from The Haunt. I followed the sounds like a beacon. Anything to get away from the tumultuous feelings from next door.

I’d totally lied to him. I regretted every second right now.

It had been way easier when I’d had no idea how good we were together. It had been so much easier to live in the denial I’d been steeped in for all these years.

Yeah, years. There was no sense lying to myself now.

“Kin, wait.”

But I didn’t wait. I practically ran down the alley to the sidewalk and lost myself in the street traffic flowing in and out of the restaurant. I followed a river of people into the usually dimly lit horror fan’s wet dream.

Except this time The Haunt was lit up with wild purple and orange lights strung around all the scary replicas. Michael Myers had a bat perched on his shoulder wearing a veil. Jason Voorhees and Freddy Krueger were dressed like a bride and groom and had been moved behind the cake. Obviously, Rylee’s handiwork. No one else would have the balls to touch them.

Macy had lost her veil—now on Jason’s hockey mask—and her train was hitched up on her hip with a rainbow-colored scrunchie. Her shoes were gone and she was getting dipped by John Gideon in front of everyone.

My heart squeezed as I came to a halt just outside the circle gathered around them.

I’d never seen Macy so at ease with public affection in my life. But she was kissing him in front of all of our friends. Rylee and Vee were whooping it up, and the war cry Ivy let out reminded me of the crazy blond from the end of Dirty Dancing.

There was no doubt as to why Macy had ended up pregnant as quick as humanly possible when Gideon put that ring on her finger. The whole restaurant was flooded with their sex pheromones.

Looked like the honeymoon would be just as hot.

My chest was tight.

Suddenly, I wanted to leave. To go to my safe little shop where I knew every corner, every piece of clothing and trunk, every couch and chair, every crystal and jewel. Not stay here where it was so full of laughter and love.

All the things I couldn’t have. Probably would never have.

“Kin, there you are.” Ivy snagged my arm and pulled me forward. “Where have you been?”

“I—”

“Never mind. You’re here now and it’s time for all the single ladies to line up.”

“No. I really don’t need—”

“Oh, but you do. All us married mamas have to live vicariously through you and Gina and Gabby. Even Macy’s girls from the café are here.” She pushed me forward. “Go.”

Instead of a garter and bouquet, there was a stuffed bat and cat sitting in a place of honor on a small table beside the remaining cake shrapnel. Evidently, they’d fed the entire town with the huge gothic haunted house cake that Vee had designed with Tabitha over at Sugar Rush, the town bakery.

And I hadn’t gotten a single piece.

Clapping sounded in time with the song being pumped into the room. Macy climbed up on the chair someone had dragged over to her and Gideon.

“All right, people. I’m ready for my damn honeymoon, so let’s get this crap over with.”

The room booed when she held up the black stuffed bat.

“What? You think I’m letting you animals watch my husband feel me up for a garter? Get real.”

More booing.

I couldn’t help but laugh even as I was getting herded into a group of women. Gina hooked her arm through mine and dragged me in closer.

“I say we escape.”

Gina grinned. “No way. I’m looking for my luck to change from this eternal single status.”