Page 34 of A SEAL's Heart
My best friend knows me too well. I grew up with Paige, and we both left for college around the same time. She came back to Hope a few months ahead of me, and by the time I got back, she was pregnant.
Still, it’s so new with Ed that I don’t want to share it yet. “I’m not ready to talk about it.”
I take a sip of my coffee while Paige eyes me intently. She raises an eyebrow. “You’re not going to spill to your best friend?”
“We all have out secrets.” I give her a pointed look.
“Touche.”
Paige has never told me or anyone who the father of her baby is. Her brother tried to force it out of her, swearing he’d hunt the guy down and make him own his responsibilities. All I could ever get out of her was that it was a one-night stand, and she never even knew his name. I’ve known Paige a long time, and despite her bravado, I’ve never known her to have a one-night stand. Either she’s protecting someone, or something drove her to do something wild and Noah was the consequence.
“The difference is I’m a hard-ass bitch who doesn’t mind telling people to fuck off and mind their own business. You, on the other hand, are too sweet to keep a secret.”
“You’re not a bitch, Paige.”
“Yeah yeah, let’s own our strength and frame it as a positive. I’m a strong, outspoken woman who doesn’t mind telling people to fuck off and mind their own business.”
She smiles sweetly, showing the dimples in her cheeks which contrast with the tough-girl image she portrays.
Noah pulls away from her breast, and she holds him in one arm while she does up the clip on the left side of her maternity bra. She unhooks the right side of the bra and transfers him to her other arm.
The young server comes over holding two plates of food. “Two quiches.”
The bra falls open, and there’s a flash of nipple before Noah latches on. The kid freezes when his eye catches sight of Paige’s milk-heavy boob.
He slides the plates onto the table and turns away.
I pull the plate toward me and push Paige’s to within arm’s reach. “He forgot the cutlery.”
“Do you think something got him flustered?” Paige smiles sweetly.
I grab cutlery from the counter and slide a set toward Paige. She picks up a fork and, using one hand, begins to eat.
I do the same, hoping the topic is closed. “Who are you seeing today?”
She peers at me over her plate, not taking the bait. Her face lights up, and she points her fork at me. “It’s Ed!”
“Shhhh.” I peer around the cafe as if he might be in here or one of his buddies. The last thing I need is for Ed to think I’m gossiping about him.
I pop a forkful of quiche in my mouth so I don’t have to answer.
“It is. Isn’t it?” Paige smiles triumphantly.
That’s the thing about having a best friend as smart as Paige. I can’t hide anything from her. “Just don’t tell anyone. Don’t tell your brother.”
“Dude.” She looks mock offended. “I know how to keep a secret.”
That’s an understatement. The secret about who the father of Paige’s baby is has everyone in Hope speculating. If it was anyone else, I’d think they were doing it for the attention. But with Paige it’s because, like she said, it’s no one else’s damn business.
“So how did it happen? Is it happening again? Are you dating or just fu…” I narrow my eyes because I don’t like the use of the F word when thinking about what me and Ed did. “…making love?” Paige finishes.
“It’s casual.” I sip my coffee, trying to appear like casual is fine. But I can’t get anything past Paige.
“Oh honey, you don’t do casual.”
“I can. It’s what we agreed. He can’t offer me anything, so…” I shrug. “I’m just going to take what I can get from him.” I think about the way he took me last night, and a smile creeps over my face.
Paige frowns at me. “He told you he doesn’t want anything. How? Is he talking again? Has your therapy worked?” There’s an excited edge to her voice, and I appreciate her excitement about my work.
