Page 81 of Pretty Relentless

I already know what she’s going to say.

“Don’t be afraid of it. Falling in love is totally scary, but it’s so worth it,” she says with a grin and a shrug. “I don’t know where I’d be without TD. He’s the second-best thing to happento me.” She doesn’t have to explain the first is her son. “I can assume, since you’re not talking about it and neither is anyone else in this town, you two aren’t exactly public with whatever is going on, and that’s okay. You’ll get there. Just remember, this town has a way of finding out your secrets. And unfortunately, if they can’t figure out the specifics, they’ll just make them up.”

I cringe at the thought. “Yeah, I definitely don’t want that.”

She leans in again. “I saw the way Gavin was looking at you on New Year’s Eve. I truly hope he’s everything you’re looking for. He seems like such a sweet, kind guy. I don’t remember him much in school, but I’ve waited on him and his daughter many times in the last few years, and he’s a great dad.”

I nod. “He is, and you’re right about everything else too. He’s just…amazing.”

She grins widely. “I’m so happy for you,” she blurts out, taking me in her arms and giving me a hug.

“Why are we happy for Ava?” Hallie asks as she and Blair approach, their bellies each leading the way.

Ellie doesn’t say a word, not wanting to out me, but I know the two newcomers won’t let it go without me giving them something. Especially Hallie. She’s like a dog with a bone when she wants details, and by the look in her eyes, she’s expecting them from me.

“I met someone,” I announce, feeling a mixture of excitement and nervousness at finally telling someone about my relationship.

“Is it Gavin Pierson? I mean, you’ve always known him, but is he the one you’re seeing?” Blair chimes in, eager for details too.

“Yes, Gavin! He’s so pretty to look at,” Hallie adds. “I bet he’s spectacular without his shirt on. Those quiet, hardworking types usually are.”

And…cue the blush again.

“She’s blushing! That means yes,” Hallie insists, her hands firmly on her swollen stomach.

My eyes widen and my cheeks heat up as I glance between the three woman who have become my closest friends. “How did you all know?”

“Are you kidding? You two were putting off major vibes at my place on New Year’s Eve,” Blair says.

“Totally. I mean, not the type of vibes Logan and I put out early on—”

“No one puts off those vibes. You guys were all ‘I want to kill you, but I’ll screw your brains out instead’ vibes,” Blair interrupts her best friend.

Hallie grins. “Those drunken pissed-off moments were the best,” she mutters in response, a knowing grin on her face.

“Yeah, naked angry banging moments,” Ellie murmurs, making us all giggle.

“Let’s get back to the point here,” Blair chimes in, redirecting the conversation. “Gavin seems great, and we can tell there’s chemistry there.”

Nodding, I confirm, “There is. A lot of it.”

“I knew it! You two were practically smokin’ at the party, and I remember how he was looking at you last summer at my birthday party. He was totally undressing you with his eyes that night, banging you in his mind.”

“Oh my God.” I laugh, lightly swatting at her upper arm. “You’re incorrigible.”

Hallie just shrugs. “I can’t help it. Pregnancy makes my brain think only of sex.”

“It’s true,” Blair adds. “Gabe and I had sex on his desk at work on Friday because he was wearing a blue button-down with the sleeves rolled up to reveal his forearms. I was so turned on, I literally stripped off my pants and climbed on his desk like a beached whale. These hormones are no joke.”

“Truth. I could have sex three times a day and still want more,” Hallie states, making my eyes bug out of my head.

“Seriously?”

Both she and Blair nod.

I glance at Ellie and see hurt laced in her eyes. I’m sure hearing our friends talk about their pregnancies is hard on her. She wants a baby so badly, it must be difficult to see others around you pregnant when you want it too, even if those others are your friends. She’d never begrudge them, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t feel grief by the fact she’s not pregnant too.

“What do you say we get the rest of this stuff picked up and get out of here,” I suggest.

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