Page 23 of Pretty Relentless

“These pregnancy cravings are wild, and I can’t stop eating. That’s why I volunteered to do food,” Hallie says with a laugh.

“Ava!”

I turn to find Ellie entering the kitchen from the hallway. She’s wearing a bright blue fitted sweater with a sleek pair of black pants and looks absolutely stunning. “Wow, that outfit is gorgeous.”

TD walks by. “I know,” he practically growls, winking at his wife as he goes.

Ellie blushes a deep shade of red. “He’s incorrigible,” she mutters, shaking her head.

“He just knows what a smoke show wife he’s got,” Hallie states, never one to shy away from speaking her mind.

“Damn right he does!” TD hollers from the fridge as he retrieves a beer.

“What would you like to drink, Ava?” Blair asks, waving her hand to the counter by the fridge like Vanna White.

I’m not much of a drinker, but a glass of white wine does sound good right now. Plus, it’s early enough in the evening I’llhave plenty of time to flush my system with water before I drive home. “White wine, please, but a small glass.”

“Coming right up,” Blair says, grabbing a wineglass and filling it halfway. “If you don’t like that kind, there’s a few more bottles we received as wedding gifts in the cabinet.”

I take a small sip. “This is great, thank you.”

I wave a quick hello to a few other guests I recognize and take a seat at the counter beside Hallie. “How are you feeling?”

“Not too bad,” she says, dipping a chunk of Hawaiian bread into spinach dip. “Twenty-four weeks already. On one hand, it’s flying by, but on the other, it feels like I’ve been pregnant for years with no end in sight. I can literally feel my ass getting bigger every day, and by the time I actually make it to the delivery, I’ll be as big as a house. Logan will probably run for the hills soon.”

I scoff at her in shock. “What? That man is completely in love with you. No amount of weight could ever make him stop looking at you like you hung the moon and the stars.”

She rolls her eyes. “That’s because I’ve got some epic level of horny going on. He just loves the sex he gets twice a day.”

My mouth drops open as I lean in. “Seriously?”

Hallie nods. “Totally. We’ve had more sex on his desk at work in the last month than I could count. Like, daily. These hormones are wild. He puts up with my crazy because he gets it so often.”

Logan appears out of nowhere and kisses her neck. “I love every bit of your crazy, Cupcake.”

“You just love my vagina.”

He snorts a laugh. “I do enjoy that part, yes, but I love you. Your vagina’s just a spectacular bonus.”

“Jesus, what did I just walk in on?” Gabe grumbles, his hand stopping halfway to the chips as he slowly retreats. “I’mgoing to go give myself amnesia now.” Then he spins around and practically runs away in disgust.

Hallie laughs. “I love grossing out my brother.”

Logan kisses the tip of her nose, and I look away quickly. The moment feels intimate and private, despite being in the middle of the kitchen, surrounded by friends. “I think he enjoys returning the favor.”

She makes a gagging noise. “Please don’t talk about my brother and…that.”

“Can I talk about it? Because your brother does this thing with his ton—”

“No, no, no, no, no!” Hallie bellows, sticking her fingers in her ears to try to keep from hearing intimate details about her best friend and her older brother. “What the hell is wrong with you?”

Blair giggles. “Nothing. It’s quite nice.”

My entire face feels like it’s on fire as all eyes turn to me. “So, what’s been going on with you lately? Seeing anyone?” Hallie asks, a not-so-subtle glint in her eyes that has the hairs on the back of my neck standing up.

“Uhhh, no,” I reply hesitantly, just as a knock sounds on the front door.

“I’ll get it!” Blair hollers, bolting for the front entrance.

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