“Ms. Reston rattled you, didn’t she?”
“You liked her.” Which Chance didn’t quite understand, since Cordy had been ready to cry back there. Maybe it was because Ms. Reston had put him in his place.
“Yeah. We need to find a seat.” She looked over his shoulder, and her eyes widened in horror. “Oh no,” she whispered. Her hand tightened on his forearm.
Chance turned to face the room, his body tense. What the hell had Cordy looking like that?
The tables were set up so two couples could share, and there were only two seats left. The seats they’d have to take.
The other couple at the table stared back at them, just as shocked. Because they were Jaycee and Gareth Tyler.
Chance had played football with Gareth. Jaycee had been a year behind him in school. These two had known Chance his entire life and knew there was no way he’d be settling down withCordy Johnson. They also knew the whole story with Reed. And Jaycee loved to gossip.
They were the absolute worst people to run into right now. And they’d have to sit with them.
“Oh shit,” Cordy murmured.
Chance couldn’t agree more.
six
Cordy had never dreamedthe awful situation staring her straight in the face could happen.
Jaycee and Gareth stared back at her, and Cordy swore she saw the wheels turning in Jaycee’s head. Gossipy, scandalized wheels.
Everyone else in her other classes had been strangers—after all, Fordsville was two hours away, and the hospital served three separate counties, so what were the odds?
Getting caught here with Chance Kessal was the worst thing that could have happened. With his reputation, Jaycee must think all kinds of things, none of them good.
This was going to get back to the Saxons. Cordy went stiff with fear. How much worse would they hate her if they believed she was moving on from Reed withChance?
The postcard from Estonia flashed through her head. She could be there right now, with no one knowing who she was or judging her. She’d have Iggy, who was all she really needed.
Then the baby kicked, reminding Cordy her old way of life wasn’t an option anymore. She’d promised Reed to stay until the baby was born, and she wasn’t going back on it.
Chance clasped her elbow. “We’ve got to bluff our way through this. Tell them we’re friends, and I’m helping you out. The name thing is a joke.”
Cordy was still tempted to turn around and leave. Nothing about this pregnancy had been easy, not a single thing.
This was supposed to be a magical time, with her and Reed preparing together to welcome their child. Instead, Cordy felt like she was fighting for her life every single day.
“We can do this,” Chance said. “We have to do this.”
He was right, at least about themhavingto do it. Cordy needed this class. It was the very last one, and honestly, she was more than a little terrified of giving birth. Mom had never talked about Cordy’s birth, and some of the stories she’d read online had been…
Cordy shuddered. This class would tell her everything she needed to know to get through labor. And she needed Chance to get through this class.
So she put on her customer-service smile and walked over to Jaycee and Gareth.
“I didn’t think we’d know anyone here.” Cordy made it sound like this was the best thing ever. “So glad to see you guys.”
“Yeah.” Jaycee’s eyes were wide. “I never expected you would be here.” She looked right at Chance as she said it. “Jack Smith? Why is that on your name tag?”
“Private joke.” Chance pulled out a chair for Cordy. “Good to see you.”
“I didn’t even know you were… friends,” Gareth said.
“Of course we are,” Cordy said.
