Page 77 of Hardy

“You’re spending a lot oftime with him.”

“I know.He’s a nice guy,and he likes my company.”

She heard Fighter snort in thebackground.

“You do know Baker likesyou.”

“Sure, we’refriends.”

Fighter gave another chuckle.He wasflicking through children’s books, and Rose was losing her temperwith him.

“No, I mean that Bakerlikes you.He likes you like a man does a woman,” Rose said.Hercheeks started to heat as Millie looked at her.

Understanding dawned, and Rose saw theembarrassment begin.

“I didn’t know.”

“Do you likehim?”

“I like him, but he’s awidower.”

“Widowed men can move on,too.”

“I get that.It’s just, he’s sadall the time.He’s not moving on from his wife.I don’t want to bethat rebound thing a lot of guys do.”Millie rubbed at her temples.“I’ve got to tell him not to come around again.”

“No, shit, don’t do that.Baker likes you.I’m wrong.Forget I ever saidanything.”

Rose signed the check, and quicklychanged the subject.She couldn’t get out of the shop fast enough.Fighter followed, and he was still laughing at her.

“Shut up.”

“Do you see what I meanabout her being clueless?”

“I can’t believe I justalmost screwed things up for Baker.He’s going to be so mad atme.”

“Nah, he needs to get his headout of his ass, and make a decision where it comes to her, asotherwise he’s going to lose her anyway.”

Rose couldn’t argue with him.The rest of the day went by without event to her.She made her wayto the clubhouse to hang out, and because Hardy said he’d meet herthere.They were going for their second scan.The first one hadn’tbeen all that great.Her baby had told the doctor that he or shehad a head, and was growing right.That was about it.She hopedthis time she’d know her baby’s sex.

When she entered she saw Sallywassittingat one of the tables working through her work book.Steven was atthe same table, reading a book.

“What’s going on overthere?”Rose asked Fighter.

“Steven is good at history itwould seem.Sally’s useless at it, and so Whizz has him tutoringher.”

“Wow,” Rosesaid.

Sally had quickly found her place in theclub.The shadows in her eyes still tore at Rose’s heart, but therewasn’t anything they could do.

“Time,” Stevensaid.

Sally put her pen down and handed thesheet to Steven.She was doing a test, not actuallystudying.

Rose made her way to the back of thekitchen, and she paused.Lash had Angel on the kitchen counter,with her legs open.She didn’t know what to do.Clearing herthroat, she averted her gaze.“Can I make myself a sandwich?”Roseasked.

“Sure.I’ve got to head outto the building site.Will you be okay to get Anthony from school?”Lash asked.

“Yes.”

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