“Will you help me do my profile? I’m terrible at this stuff.”
“Absolutely. It’ll be fun.”
Her phone rings with a video call, and she peeks at the screen. “It’s Abby!”
“Answer it. I haven’t talked to her since she and Nick moved to Houston.”
Baylee slides her finger over the screen and angles the phone so we both fit in the little window. “Hey, girl! I’m here with Paige.”
“My two favorite people!”
“Hey, roomie! I miss you!” I shout. Abby was briefly my roommate last year. We had so much fun together. I wish I could’ve stayed with her instead of moving in with Marcus, but if that had happened, she and her boyfriend Nick might not have gotten together.
“How’s the NFL treating you and Nick?” Baylee asks. “And how’s Hazel?”
Hazel is Nick’s adorable five-year-old daughter. Her mom passed away in an accident when she was a baby, and Nick hiredAbby to be Hazel’s nanny last fall. One thing led to another, and now they’re a serious item.
Abby grins. “Nick and Hazelnut are doing great, but it’s been a whirlwind—the draft, packing and moving, getting to know the new team. And it’s so humid here in Houston. I’m dying, especially now that I’m the size of a beached whale.” She shifts the camera, and we get a good look at her baby bump.
“You’re perfect, and that baby is just the right size,” I say wistfully. All of a sudden, I want a baby so bad. And that’s crazy. I just graduated from college. I have lots of time for kids.
Baylee pulls a chair over and sits next to me. “Okay, I need to spill the tea here since Paige obviously isn’t going to. Guess who married her high school crush?” She points at me.
Abby’s eyes go wide. “You married Rhett? The guy whose calls you never answered?”
I can admit now that was immature, but I wasn’t ready to talk to him. “The one and only.”
Baylee puts the phone up to her face and whispers, “And now she’s having all the sex and pretending like Rhett’s not banging her through the headboard every night.”
“Baylee Reyes.” I elbow her but laugh. “It’s true. I’m having all the sex. I’ve never come so many times in my life.”
At that moment, Aunt Syl walks through the back door. She lifts her brow at that statement, then shakes her head. “I’m just gonna pretend I didn’t hear that. Morning, girls. Glad you’re enjoying your husband, Paige.” She disappears into her office.
“Oh, my God,” I whisper as I cover my face.
Baylee and Abby howl with laughter before Abby leans close to the phone. “How in the world did this happen?”
I take the cell away from Baylee. “It’s a long story. I’ll call you when I get home and give you the scoop.” I don’t think Rhett would care if I told Abby, since she lives in Houston, but I’ll run it by him.
“Paige, I’m glad I caught you with Baylee because I need your advice.” Abby motions to her belly again. “I don’t fit into anything. I’m excited to go to all of Nick’s games and events, but I’m not sure what to wear. I don’t even fit into the jersey he got me, and I’m not sure I will after the baby comes. You’re so good with clothes and fashion. Can you help me again?”
“I’d be happy to. And just to be clear, you look gorgeous pregnant, and Nick is going to love you no matter what you wear.”
She smiles. “I know I’m just being self-conscious, but I want him to feel proud when he sees me at his games.”
I know the feeling. “Can you send me the jersey? I can tailor it for you or make a jacket or vest you can wear over something more comfortable.”
“Really? You’d do that for me?” She starts to sniffle.
“Of course. What are friends for?” In retrospect, I probably should’ve gone into fashion. I love sewing and clothes, but those skills are probably even more useless in Wild Heart than my communications degree.
“And please don’t worry about the weight,” Baylee says. “My sister always loses fifteen pounds within days of having her babies.”
“That’s so good to hear.” Abby wipes her eyes. “I love you guys so much. Paige, I’ll pay you for your time. I don’t want you to think I expect this for free.”
I frown. “You don’t have to pay me.”
Baylee shakes her head. “Abby, don’t listen to Paige. Send her money. Whatever you think is fair.”
