Page 16 of Small Town Firsts

She lets out a small moan of delight after the last bite and pats her stomach. “Mmm, oh my God, that was so good.” It was innocent enough, butgoddamn. That sound.

Friends, Cash. You want to be her friend. Down, boy.

Pregnant or not, Myla Rose is hands down the most gorgeous woman I have ever laid my eyes on, and combine her looks with sounds like the one she just made . . . I have a feeling that I’m going to be constantly reminding myself that she’s just a friend.

After our dishes are cleared, we all pay our tabs and head out to the parking lot. As the guys leave, Azalea pulls Myla Rose aside. I can’t make out all of what they’re saying, only a few words here and there coupled with a lot of hand gestures. “Myla . . . Come on. I . . . candle burning.”

I take a few steps closer to hear them better. “We don’t even have a damn candle, Azalea,” Myla Rose complains.

“Fine, I left my curling iron on. I need to go back, and—” the car next to me roars to life, drowning out the rest of her words.

I stand off to the side, awkwardly, unsure as to whether I should wait. Just as I’m about to turn and go, I see Myla give a sharp nod, and Azalea smiles in what appears to be victory.

They both start walking my way, and Azalea calls out to me. “Cash, would you mind giving Myla Rose a ride home? I was going to, but I need to run back to the salon, and I just hate to drag her back with me. She’s got a full day tomorrow and needs to rest.” Her voice is saccharine sweet—too sweet—and I think I know what’s happening here.We’re being set up.

“Sure thing. I wouldn’t mind one bit.” Azalea beams at my easy cooperation and sends Myla Rose to me with a little nudge.

“Are you sure, Cash?”

“One hundred percent. C’mon.” I take her hand, and there’s that jolt again. I swear, every time we touch, it’s like lightning is running through my veins. I hold her door open for her and help her into the truck despite her insistence that she can do it on her own.

Once she’s buckled, I plug her address into my phone and crank the engine. “Thank you so much for doing this. I don’t know why AzzyJo is actin’ so damn crazy.”

“I’m pretty sure your friend is trying to set us up.” I use our time at the stop sign to gauge her reaction to my words.

She snorts out a laugh and shakes her head. “You may just be right. In which case, sheiscrazy.”

“Why would that make her crazy?”

“Oh, come on.” She laughs again, but this time it’s brittle-sounding. “Why wouldanyonewant to get set up with me?”

I grip the steering wheel a bit tighter. “Why wouldn’t they?”

She gestures toward her slightly rounded belly.

Suddenly, it clicks. Her self-doubt and hesitation. I guess in all fairness, she has a pretty good point. Whoever she did date would have to be okay with a package deal.

“You think because you’re pregnant, no one will want to date you?”

“I mean, isn’t that obvious?”

“I think the right man will love you and your child. Don’t assume you’ll be alone, Myla Rose, and don’t settle for anything less than you deserve.”

“Sure, Cash, okay.” I can tell she thinks I’m feeding her a line, but I mean every word I just said.

Changing the subject, I ask her about the full day Azalea mentioned. “Oh, nothing special. I’m just taking the day off to pressure wash the house.”

“By yourself?”

She huffs. “Yes, by myself.”

“You sure that’s safe?” I ask her as I idle behind the old Land Cruiser parked in her driveway.

“Yes, Cash, I’m sure it’s safe. I’m not magically rendered incompetent by a baby growing in my belly.”

“Never said you were. What time you plan on getting started?”

“Around eight, if I want to beat the heat. Which I really,reallydo.”

---