Page 83 of The Brutal Arrangement

She smiled. “No. I mean, gas is gas, and that’s never comfortable. But when things are shifted in there” —she indicated her stomach— “it’s bound to feel funky sometimes.”

Footsteps pounded from the hallway and Maxim ran into the room, a guard behind him. “What’s wrong?”

“Oh, my God!” Sloane laughed again as she tossed a stuffed teddy bear at him. “Nothing!”

“Lucy, what’s going on?” He frowned at me.

“Hey!” Sloane said, not giving me a chance. “Ijust told you nothing is wrong. You won’t listen tome?”

“You try to downplay things,” he scolded.

She sighed. “I just know my body and what is likely to be a worry or not.”

“Lucy?” Maxim asked.

I shook my head. “Just gas pains,” I said, sticking with her story.

He rolled his eyes. “Itoldyou those vegetarian tacos wouldn’t feel so great later.”

I tried not to laugh.

Once he was gone, she leaned toward me. “He’s wrong. Those tacos were delicious and I regret nothing.”

I waved the air. “Maybe follow it with a mint next time.”

She cracked up, grinning, and just seeing her funny and not offended by my blunt remark warmed my heart. I didn’t want to be so nervous about making and keeping a friend, but Sloane seemed all right.

We went through the catalogues and then browsed on her laptop, too. Time passed, and I didn’t care how long we went over the numerous baby websites.

“Have you ever thought about having a baby?”

I laughed. “Um, is that even a relevant point?”

She frowned at me.

“I know you know that I know Damon expects to knock me up.”

She blinked. “Uh…”

“Women marry into this family to give them heirs.”

She winced. “Well, I know that was Maxim’s big issue.” She shrugged. “You and Damon were a little different.”

“Alittledifferent? I swapped with the bride he was supposed to get.”

“That’s true.”

“But to answer your question, of course.” I cleared my throat, feeling almost shy about this. “I’ve always looked forward to starting a family. With my dad gone, I was so sad that I was all my mom had. I had these dreams of marrying and giving her at least five grandkids. And maybe she’d meet someone and remarry.” I sighed. “When she got her diagnosis, that dream sort of fell apart.”

“I’d say it completely fell apart,” she remarked dryly, with sadness lacing her words.

“Yeah. But my dream of being a mother never died out. I just didn’t have the time to think aboutmyfuture.” I’d been too busy making money to focus on hers.

“But now?”

I smiled. “But now I’m married.” It still gave me such a jolt of joy to think that and not cringe now. My life was so different with Damon and me together and in sync.

“I can’t wait for you to be pregnant too. We can commiserate!”

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