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“This is their child. I’m only staying there so they can spend time with Lucky.”

“I was with them last night and they didn’t mention anything. Maybe they’re ashamed to tell me they made a mistake in the past. Silly boys.” Melanie scrunched up her nose and looked bothLucky and I over. “I’m not the type of woman who would let a baby mama and her brat scare me away.”

Harley shoved her purse strap over my shoulder and reached for her earrings.

“I’m going to kick her ass. Hold my stuff.”

“Come any closer and I’ll have the sheriff arrest both of you.”

“Harley, let’s just it go.” I didn’t want Harley to get into trouble because of me. Even if I would’ve loved to smack Melanie just once myself. “I’m not interested in fighting for three men I don’t want.”

“You just remember they’re mine. It’s already disrespectful that you moved in with three taken men but know that if you cross a line and try anything with them, I’ll be sure that everyone knows what a homewrecking slut you are.” Melanie flicked her fingers at us. “Now, shoo. Get out of my store.”

I had to practically drag Harley away. That didn’t mean she wasn’t still running her mouth. That was Harley, though. She was a loyal friend to the end and even though it wasn’t in her personality to start a fight, she’d finish one for a friend.

“Gladly! I’m surprised anything stays alive in here anyway, with your awful personality. I hope every flower you grow or touch for the rest of your life is just a little smaller than acceptable.”

I barely made it out onto the sidewalk before I laughed.

“Sick horticulture burn, babe.”

She straightened her shirt and took her purse back.

“You have to take her men.”

I snorted and then had to bounce Lucky because the sound scared him.

“Harley!” I laughed as I bounced.

She looked back through the windows of Petal and flipped Melanie off.

“Take her men and then watch her grow old, alone, with just her tiny blooms and even tinier personality.”

“Down, girl. I’m fine. You don’t need to go nuclear for me. Promise. Now, let’s go get something to eat and never talk about that horrible woman again.”

Iwasfine. I hadn’t come to Devil’s Den to steal anyone’s men. I had a three-month-old, no job, a little brother a few months from starting college, and new stretchmarks I was in no hurry to show off. Melanie could keep her men.

I wasn’t going to think at all about how it bothered me a little. Or about how I’d been having dreams over that night at Club Devil.

CHAPTER 23

Reagan

Lucky’s screams woke me the next night. Before I could get untangled from my blankets to get up, my bedroom door opened and Mills came in. He glanced at me before focusing on scooping Lucky out of the bassinet.

“Go back to sleep. I’ll take care of him tonight.” He pressed Lucky to his bare chest and gently bounced him the way he’d seen me bounce Lucky. He’d also started quietly talking to Lucky over the past few days and he did it then. “Hey, buddy. What’s all the noise for? Huh? Your momma was trying to sleep, you know.”

Something in my chest cracked at the moment I was experiencing. It was the first time one of them had stepped in to take care of Lucky in the middle of the night. Seeing the giant of a man cradling our tiny son was alluring in a way I’d never expected.

Lucky wasn’t as charmed as I was. He’d stopped screaming but he was still fussy and seemed intent on voicing his anger, through any other sounds he could make.

I stood up and moved closer. “He’s probably hungry. He was so tired earlier from his big day on the ranch with y’all that he barely ate any dinner.”

Mills reluctantly handed Lucky over and watched me move back to my spot at the head of the bed. He didn’t so much as blink while I slipped my tank top down for Lucky to feed. “Can I stay?”

My stomach fluttered. I had to clear my throat to be able to speak clearly.

“Sure.”