Page 37 of Rhett

“We’re guessing two weeks.”

I frowned, not liking the fact that she was guessing about something so important. “Make sure you check in with your doctor. But it’s normal to give birth before or after your due date. In fact, your pregnancy should continue two weeks past your due date to earn the official label of post-term pregnancy.”

“You sure know a lot about pregnancy.” She rubbed her stomach in circles. “Are you a doctor or something?”

“I’m a certified nurse midwife.”

She grinned. “We sure need one of those in the Ridge.” She swung her head toward the station. “Oh, that’s the phone. I better go answer it. See you two at the festival.” Given her condition, I was surprised at how fast she disappeared into the station.

Imani urged me along, and it didn’t take long for us to arrive at our destination.

She grinned at me before opening a nondescript black door. “This is where we’re meeting my bestie Nyx for lunch. Sinner + Do Smokehouse is a farm-to-table restaurant with the most delicious food in town. Next to mine of course.”

Crossing the threshold, I scanned the large open space with couches and tables on both sides leading up to a bar along the wall.

“This sure isn’t small-town dining,” I remarked, panning my eyes across the area, stopping on the large plush U-shaped communal couch anchoring the space. “It has a swanky, big-city vibe.”

“There’s more than meets the eye in the Ridge. We have a little bit of everything here, from small-town feel to upscale, doing-it-like-a-baller vibe.”

A monstrous man swooped out of nowhere, looking like Thor except with black hair. “Hello, Imani,” he said with a thick Irish accent.

“Hi, Donovan.” She reached up to hug him, then stepped back. “When did you get back in town?”

“This morning,” he replied, but his eyes were glued to me like I was a tasty steak he wanted to gobble up.

A voluptuous brunette wearing skintight leather leggings and a red corset that pushed up her ample cleavage approached us with a huge smile. “Scoot, Donovan. Greeting guests is my job.”

“Hi, Odessa,” Imani said. “Donovan. Odessa. This is Nova.”

“Hello, Nova,” Odessa said. “Welcome to the Ridge.”

“Aren’t you a beauty?” Donovan remarked with eyes locked on mine. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“Good or bad?” I grinned.

“I tend to ignore the bad shit.” He winked.

Odessa rolled her eyes. “My brother is a horrible flirt. Go away, Donovan.” She pushed him, but he didn’t budge. “Okay. Then we’ll go.” She gestured to Imani and me. “Follow me.”

When we trailed behind Odessa, I whispered to Imani, “Seriously, what’s in the Ridge water? Why are all the men smoking hot?”

Imani laughed. “You ain’t seen anything yet. Wait until you go to the festival. There will be man candy galore, and all of them will be flirting outrageously with you.”

Odessa stopped at a booth where a woman with dark skin and short, natural hair sat. “Your server will be here shortly.” She winked at us. “Enjoy.” Then she walked away.

“Hi, Nyx,” Imani said, sliding into the booth. “This is Nova.”

Nyx waved at me. “Hey, Nova.”

“Hi,” I said, taking a seat, sandwiching her between Imani and me.

A server rushed over to our table, filling our glasses with water.

“What took you so long?” Nyx complained. “I’m starving.”

“Josie accosted me about her biscuits… again.” Imani took a gulp from her glass.

Nyx rolled her eyes. “Her biscuits, aka hockey pucks, are terrible.”