Page 114 of Pucking the Team

“Merde!” Eduardo said from my side. “Don’t let Wolf hear you say that, he’s already drawn up the kid’s contract for The Vipers.”

“Is it a boy?” I asked.

Mae laughed and steered me toward the hair and makeup ladies. “I have no idea, but Wolf is convinced that it is, and quite honestly, it’s easier to go along with that and let him figure it out if he’s wrong.”

“I’ve always imagined myself with a girl,” I said.

“You have?” Eduardo asked, his eyes widening.

“Really?” Mae said.

I laughed. “Don’t be so surprised.”

“It’s just…” Mae said, and her gaze roamed down to my toes and back up again.

“That you didn’t think I’d want to ‘mess up’ my body?” I shrugged. “That I’d be worried about my career so would bypass having kids?”

“Well, yeah. I had so many warnings about starting a family and what it would do to my career and my following and I’m a singer not a supermodel.”

I sat in the makeup chair and crossed my bare legs, bobbed the toe of my sneaker. “I want kids, and it was what my body was actually made to do. Being photogenic enough to make a living is a side gig.”

Eduardo chuckled. “I love the way you see life.” He set a kiss on my brow. “I’ll go find some food for you.”

“Thanks, I’m starving.”

“I know.”

The makeup artist smiled her hello and started on my foundation. I closed my eyes.

“Pippa Bentley, we meet again.”

I opened my eyes. “Matthew? What are you doing here?”

“I said I’d do your shots, help Mae out. If she doesn’t have to pay a photographer it means more cash for the charity, right?”

“That’s so good of you.” It was always nice to see Matthew. “I thought you’d gone back to New York.”

“Tomorrow. Todd was happy to hang out here, show me his old haunts. Besides, last bit of freedom before we have to start changing nappies and warming bottles. You never know, we might get a baby, or babies!”

“Well, I’m super glad to be working with you again.” I smiled.

“Same here.” He nodded at the set. “And they’ve done this great, haven’t they?”

“Yes, I like the vibe. Very Mae. Very her brand from what I’ve heard about it.”

“Hey.” Eduardo appeared holding a wrapped package. It seemed to be a bagel. “Matthew, right?”

“Yeah, good to see you again, mate.”

They shook hands.

“You here for the day with Pippa?” Matthew asked, narrowing his eyes at Eduardo and nibbling on his bottom lip.

“Oh no.” I unwrapped my breakfast. “I see an idea forming. What’s going on in that devious mind of yours, Mr. Foster?”

Matthew laughed. “I was just thinking, perhaps.” He waggled his finger at Eduardo. “For a couple of shots you wouldn’t mind stripping off your t-shirt, donning a Stetson, and being all brooding and gorgeous over by that old wagon thing.”

“You hitting on me, man?” Eduardo put his hands on his hips. “Wanna see me strip?”