Page 43 of Baby Maker

Chapter Nine

Calliope

“This is so much better than some nightclub with sweaty men grinding against us,” Jane proclaims, propping her head up to smile in my direction. “Am I right?”

I nod with a chuckle, releasing a small moan as the massage therapist works out a knot in my shoulder.

“Your muscles are so tight, miss,” Renaldo, my personal masseuse for the evening, notes.

“Have Keegan work on that later tonight,” Jane snickers.

I love his cousin. She’s cheeky and saucy and just the type of woman I adore hanging out with. “Keegan is busy getting his share of lap dances. No doubt he’ll be worn out from all the activity.”

“I love that you’re not jealous. So many women would freak out knowing that some strange woman is bumping and grinding against their man.”

Trust me, Jane, the thought isn’t far from my mind. But sadly, he isn’t my man. At least not beyond Sunday evening. Even if the lines in the bedroom blurred past friendship real damn fast. “I know it’s a rite of passage. No point in getting my knickers in a twist.”

“I’m thrilled that you’re here,” Keegan’s mother, Louise, states to my right. “He’s never brought anyone home before. I was losing hope that my son might ever find the right woman.”

Her words give me pause. “You weren’t a fan of his former girlfriends?”

“What girlfriends? I never met any of them.”

I lift my head higher, but Renaldo eases it back to the table. Relax, buddy. I have some information to collect. “You never met Megan?”

Louise’s eyes widen. “I’ve never even heard that name.”

“I met her once,” Jane interjects with a grunt. “I surprised Keegan one weekend, and he had plans with her. She was vapid and shallow and awful.”

“Tremendous tits, though.” My quick comment earns a snort from both women, and I’m beyond thankful they have a sense of humor that walks on the dark side. “Sorry. Me and my cheeky humor.”

“Keep it up. You’re just what my son needs. A woman to keep him on his toes.” Louise maintains her gaze on a distant point, but I see the sadness in her face. “Keegan has long sworn off relationships. I blame myself.”

“How so?”

“His father left when he was very young. I know he worries that he will be just like his dad, no matter how much I claim the contrary.”

“Not every man wants marriage and a family. Some are happy being single.”

“I worried that was the case with Keegan. But then you two arrive and he’s so different. I’ve never seen my son as happy as he is now. Thank you, Calliope.”

“I have nothing to do with it.”

“You have everything to do with it. I see the way he looks at you. You’ve changed him. For the better.”

* * *

“Shit.”

I stir from my slumber at Keegan’s hissed curse, flipping on the light and blinking at the clock. It’s after two. Someone had fun. “You okay?”

Keegan releases a sigh, offering up a remorseful smile. “I was trying so hard not to wake you.”

“It’s fine. How was it?” I sit up, leaning back against the cushions and trying not to laugh as a halfway inebriated Keegan removes his shoes.

“Terrible. The liquor was overpriced, the women were belligerent and demanding, and my cousin is puking in the toilet as we speak.”

“Good times. I’m so sorry I missed it.”

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