Sinning in Vegas (Vegas Morellis 2)

Carly glances down, shaking her head. Her long blonde hair is down today, and as she shakes her head, some of it falls in her face.

“Say something,” I prod. “Please don’t be mad. I didn’t mean for this to happen. I have no idea how it did.”

Carly looks back at the screen, attempting a half-ass smile. “I’m not mad, Laurel. Just processing. Sorry.” Attempting to rally, she says, “How do you feel about this?”

“I don’t know, how do you feel about it? I thought you would be more responsive.”

“It’s not my body, kiddo, it doesn’t matter much how I feel about it. Or how he feels about it,” she

mutters. “Sorry, I’m trying.”

Boy, would she not like Sin. That makes me sad, too. I’m trying not to think about him while I’m with Rafe in the interest of giving him a fair shot (and, well, because Sin refuses to do more than fuck with my head and toy with my body—no relationship is on offer). My heart won’t let me keep him out for long, though. Even though I had a nice night with Rafe once we were in bed last night, and a nice morning with him so far, I can’t help feeling a little guilty for it. It doesn’t matter that Sin was a jerk, it doesn’t matter that he told me himself to focus on what I can have and give Rafe a chance. It doesn’t matter that he can go from so hot in the hallway, setting my body on fire even though my brain should know better, to so cold at the table afterward, like the interlude in the hall never even happened.

“Laurel?”

My gaze jerks to the phone and I realize I missed whatever Carly said. “Huh? Sorry, I spaced out for a second.”

“Are you happy?”

I stare at the phone, unable to conjure an answer. That’s a loaded question, and I don’t know the answer yet. I’m certainly not the most miserable I’ve been this week, but I can’t say I’m the happiest, either. I was the happiest in Sin’s bed, and despite whatever that was in the hall last night, he assures me I won’t be going back there.

My happiness doesn’t depend on him though, regardless of how it feels at times. So I hope it’s not a lie when I tell her, “I will be.”

With a tremulous smile, she nods. “That’s what matters.”

“Please don’t be disappointed. I know it’s off-plan, but I’ve got back-up plans for my back-up plans. You know me. I’m not leaving anything to chance. I’ve got this under control. I’ll still finish school; I’m just going to do it with a baby. But on the plus side? Ironic onesies.”

Carly laughs a little. “I’ll start shopping around for them now.”

“Plus, baby shoes are really cute.”

“Incredibly cute,” Carly agrees. “And the fluffy little sleepers? We’re gonna have to go shopping as soon as you find out what you’re having.”

“Mia bought me a starter pregnancy wardrobe already.”

Her smile droops. “You told Mia before you told me?”

“Not on purpose! Rafe told Mateo, who told Mia—then there was a minor kidnapping situation, nothing to be alarmed about. I had to see stupid Alec again.”

Carly frowns, confused. “What?”

“Don’t worry about it,” I tell her, waving it off. “The point is, I actually did go back to Chicago and I was going to fly home from there, and when I got there, everyone already knew I was pregnant. His doing, not mine.”

Carly messages her temples. “I’m getting a Morelli migraine.”

“Well, you’re married to one and I’m pregnant with one, so we should probably stock up on maximum strength aspirin,” I tell her.

Glancing warily from me to Rafe, she asks, “So, are you guys together now?”

“No,” I say, at the exact time Rafe says, “Yes.”

I blink, looking over at him. He quirks an eyebrow. “We’re testing the waters,” I offer, though I’m not sure if I’m talking to him or Carly. I definitely wouldn’t have been able to go to sleep after Sin cornered me in the hall last night if I’d been with Rafe, and I would expect him not to be buying other women presents if he thought we were official.

“Testing the waters,” Carly repeats.

“To see if we would work in a relationship. Together would mean commitments have been made, and the only commitment I’ve made is the one to have this baby. Other than that, I’m still figuring things out.” I hesitate, but then I decide there’s little point holding back. “If things don’t work out in Vegas, I’m sort of thinking about taking Mia up on her offer to let me stay at the mansion while I finish school.”

“Nope,” Carly says.