Small Town Curves: A Pregnancy Romance

“Not true.” He looked away because we both knew it was true, and only half the reason he’d agreed. “I needed a way to earn money without leaving Olive and the kids so often.”

“And I was sick of living half a life between security gigs. This works for both of us, and it’ll work beyond our wildest dreams if you let it.”

Liam held up his hands in defeat. “You already won this round, Miles.”

“I know, and it feels so damn good. Maybe this will get Olive and her friends to back off?”

Liam barked out a laugh. “Unlikely. The better the business does, the more ideal of a husband you’ll make, and none of them will let you stay single for long.”

His reminder of my single status sent my gaze searching for Shannon, she was laughing with an old man in a straw boater hat on his head. “They can’t force me to do anything or anyone, I don’t want.”

“No, they can’t. But these women have their ways. Eva and Oliver were sworn enemies when they met, he was actively trying to discredit her work and her company. And now they’re married.”

“Anecdotal evidence.”

“I fell in love with a woman I’d gotten pregnant after a one-night stand. Tara and Chris were matched by Time for Love, decided they didn’t want to date each other and still ended up together.”

I shrugged off his words and ignored the niggle of doubt that crept in. “Statistically insignificant.”

“You’re in denial man, but that’s okay. You know why?”

“Because I’m right?”

Liam laughed. “Because it’ll be so much fun when it happens to you.”

“It won’t,” I insisted with confidence. “You know I’m not looking for that.”

He nodded. “And I know why, but one bad relationship isn’t a pattern. It was a lesson I had to learn before I fucked things up with Olive.”

“It’s not the relationship, not really, it’s the trust. The lack of trust. I’m not willing to put myself through that again. Not now.”

Liam shrugged. “Yeah, it’s going to be fun to watch. I better stock up on popcorn.”

“Not too much, old man, we have to be fit to train these guys and your pregnancy weight will slow you down.” Liam glared at me and I laughed, standing when Shannon was free of her elderly admirer. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a beautiful woman to flirt with.”

“Before you know it, you’ll be buying a house together and shopping for baby-proofing tools.”

“Bite your tongue,” I told him and strolled over to where Shannon wiped crumbs off an empty table. “So?”

She looked up with an amused smile. “So.”

“What kinds of things do you like to do?”

Shannon shrugged. “I’m an adventurous woman, Miles. Feel free to surprise me, I love surprises.”

Women always said that, but in my experience, they liked surprises up to a point. “Anything?”

“I’m open to anything, yes.”

“Except me falling for you?”

She giggled and nodded. “Absolutely. Surprise me good, Miles.”

“I fully plan to do just that, Shannon. See you soon.” I joined Liam out on the street, a rush of excitement coursing through my veins at the idea of a night with woman like Shannon. We wanted the same thing, a fun, short-term, casual distraction.

“Be careful, Miles. Small towns tend to have long memories. Very long.”

I shrugged off his words, knowing one important thing. “Shannon’s stay in Pilgrim is temporary, and that’s fine with me.” More than fine.

“If you say so.”

Shannon

“I can’t remember the last time I had a night out with the girls.”

Mara and Sophie had showed up on my doorstep and informed me that I was joining them, along with Tara and Joss, for a girls’ night of gossip and greasy food at Mayflower, the kitschy bar with the pilgrim theme.

Sophie looked at me from her seat at the round booth, brown eyes lit with sympathy. “You don’t have many girl friends in California?”

“Yes and no. I have women that I hang out with, but going out is usually a hunt for a husband, a rich husband most often, and I’m not looking for that.”

Joss frowned and rubbed her belly with one hand, reaching for a mozzarella stick with the other. “You don’t want a rich husband?”

“I’m single and I’m not looking to change that, but I do have a date with Miles this weekend, if that helps me feel like one of the girls.” I liked these women, they were kind and didn’t engage in mean-spirited gossip, so I wanted to fit in as much as I could while I was here.

“Miles? Liam’s hot friend?” Tara smiled when I nodded. “So why go on a date at all if you’re happy being single?”

“Marriage and babies isn’t the only reason to date. I like hot guys, good company and orgasms. It doesn’t have to be more than that.” I shrugged at the bewildered looks I received from everyone but Sophie. “In my experience, few men are worth risking your heart for. Or your bank account.”