Page 24 of Tempting Bo (Montgomery Dreams #2)

KENZIE

I won’t lie, there's a lot of working through things to be done here.

Bo and I did a lot of talking last night. We did a lot of not talking, too, but I think both were important. I needed the grounding, the reminder that he wants me, just as much as I needed to hear the more concrete, planned out promises of what our lives would look like together.

I feel better.

I don't feel good enough to stop nausea from rioting in my gut at the sight of Savannah. Even worse is seeing Hailey and Mrs. Ward sitting at the same table and sharing forced smiles. I almost turn around and walk right back out of the cafe.

I've lost my appetite, anyway.

“Oh, Kenzie, honey!” Hailey calls from her seat at their little table. “What a coincidence! Come join us, we're just chatting.”

My heart aches in an entirely different way than it has through this whole escapade with Bo.

Hailey has always been like a second mom to me, and to see her chumming it up with the Wards makes me feel sick.

Bo said something last night about her trying to get close enough to get proof of Savannah’s lies, but it's hard to look at, even with that knowledge.

It's even harder to force a smile to my face and walk over like I don't want to throttle Savannah here and now.

“Hailey, good to see you! How've you been?”

I’m sure she can see the confusion and hurt on my face, but she just stands and pulls me into a tight hug.

“Just play along. Trust me,” she whispers into my hair before letting me go. “Oh, same old story here, just busy with the farm. This is Savannah Ward and her mother, Andrea Ballard. We’re just having an early lunch and making some plans to go house hunting.”

I grit my teeth and wave to both of them. The introduction burns—as if I don't know exactly who these conniving assholes are. Savannah’s mom pretends like she doesn't know anything, smiling blandly at me, but Savannah herself doesn't even try to hide the nasty sneer she sends my way.

My palms itch to smack it right off her snotty face.

“Kenzie’s a long time family friend, she and Bo actually grew up together!” I flinch at the mention of Bo’s name, but Hailey just squeezes my arm and keeps rambling. “Actually, since Bo couldn't make it, why don't you join us, Kenzie? You know Bo’s tastes better than anyone.”

From anyone else, the words would be flat out cruel to hear. From Hailey, they just leave me confused and overwhelmed. Why would she invite me along to something like this?

Play along . Her words echo in my brain, and I refuse to let my faltering smile wane. She must have something up her sleeve if she wants me to be here.

“Yes, Boden seems increasingly difficult to get a hold of,” Andrea says stiffly. “Surely he's not trying to keep the mother of his child at arm’s length?”

She looks over at me disdainfully as she speaks, and both shame and rage flare bright in my gut. So that's how she wants to play it, huh?

Well, I can be a vindictive bitch just like anyone else.

I was in theatre all four years of high school. Time to put my acting chops to work.

“Oh, not at all,” I say brightly. “He's working so hard to save up money for the baby, he just hardly has any time to breathe these days. I'd love to help y’all house hunt.”

I pull out a chair next to Andrea and scoot closer than I need to, peering down at the file in front of her. She blinks rapidly in surprise and flinches back.

“These are the houses you're looking at?” I ask sweetly, batting my lashes up at her.

At the very least, I can make this situation ten times more uncomfortable for the two of them.

And it doesn’t hurt to remind Savannah that while she might try to take Bo from me, she's on my playing field.

Every advantage is in my court right now, and she's losing the shaky grasp she has on her only claim.

I can't wait to see her face when it all crumbles down around her.

“Sorry, let me just text David,” Hailey says as she pulls out her phone, leaving me to deal with Savannah and her mother.

Andrea is visibly displeased at my involvement, but she doesn’t argue my presence when I flip through the listings.

I have to stop myself from wincing as I look, imagining living there with Bo myself instead of him and Savannah darkening its halls.

I blather on mindlessly as Hailey types out a text, waiting for her to take back over the conversation.

What’s taking her so long to tell him? She’s not a slow typer.

“There we go, sorry about that,” she finally says.

She doesn’t glance in my direction when my phone buzzes in my pocket, but it’s not hard to put together. I lean back and subtly pull my phone out as Hailey and Andrea discuss a few of the houses. The text I’m met with is long, and I almost want to laugh as I read it.

This plan reeks of Oakley.

A fake ultrasound to prove Savannah a liar in front of her mother and a healthy dose of legal action if they keep this charade up? Count me in.

I slide my phone back into my pocket and catch Hailey’s eye with a subtle nod.

The plan didn’t originally include me, but if she wants me here, I’m more than happy to join.

There’s no doubt in my heart anymore that Savannah is lying about all of this, and I want to see firsthand when that gets proven.

“So, I actually have a bit of a surprise,” Hailey announces.

Andrea and Savannah both perk up, Andrea in interest and Savannah in obvious trepidation. I’m wondering if Andrea doesn’t know about her daughter’s deception, but I guess we’ll find out soon enough.

“I arranged an ultrasound appointment for you, Savannah!” she says cheerfully. “You went to your first one all alone, and I can’t imagine how hard that was. I want you to know that we’re going to be here with you, every step of the way!”

She gathers the house listings and places them all back in the folder neatly as she lets the announcement sink in. I don’t think anyone but me can hear the bitterness in her voice. She’s a much better actor than I could ever hope to be.

“But I already got an ultrasound,” Savannah argues, her brow furrowing as she looks between Hailey and her own mom.

“Sure, but you didn’t get pictures!” Hailey says. “What am I supposed to hang on the fridge to show I’m a proud grandma?”

Andrea actually nods in agreement at that. Hailey tucks a few twenties beneath the condiment caddy, likely more than enough to cover the bill from their lunch, along with a generous tip.

“I would also like pictures,” she says.

It’s kind of a shame to realize that Savannah’s got her tricked too. I can’t imagine what it takes to lie to your own mom about something like this, but I don’t think it’s going to go over well.

“Glad we’re in agreement, then!” Hailey stands and the rest of us follow suit. “The clinic is just down the road. Why don’t we get going? We might be a little early, but that should be fine!”

Savannah looks absolutely terrified, and it brings a bitter pleasure to sit on the back of my tongue. Nothing I could ever say to her will cut as deep as this is about to. She deserves it after everything she put me through.

“It was lovely to meet you, Kenzie,” Andrea says, although it sounds like it pains her.

I bet Savannah has painted me as some kind of home wrecker, or has at least complained that I’m in the way somehow.

“Oh, there’s no reason to part ways so soon.” Hailey beams at me, mischief twinkling in her eyes. “Come with us to the appointment!”

Andrea looks stricken by the suggestion, already shaking her head, and Savannah is puffing up like a particularly blonde blowfish, trembling with rage.

“I hardly think that’s appropriate,” Andrea says disapprovingly. “This is a family matter, and should be kept private.”

“Kenzie is family,” Hailey insists, her smile never wavering. “I know it’s a little unconventional, but trust me, Kenzie is like another daughter to me. You two will practically be sister in laws!”

I ignore the twinge of pain in my chest at the very thought. This is all just a game.

Play along .

I wrap my arm around Savannah’s shoulder and pull her in close with a friendly squeeze. She makes a noise kind of like a drowning rat and goes stiff in my arms.

“And I can’t wait to plan a baby shower for you with Oakley!” I say brightly. “You’re okay with it, right? I just want to be here to support you.”

Andrea wavers, her thin face still pinched in disapproval. She can tell that Hailey won’t be swayed from this, and finally nods, accepting defeat.

“Come on, gang, we don’t want to be late for this!” Hailey says exuberantly.

We all file out of the diner, Hailey filling the silence with cheerful babble. The clinic really is nearby, and the walk is short. Just long enough for the chill to creep under my jacket, but not long enough to have my teeth chattering against each other.

The warmth of the lobby is welcome.

It’s just as clinically sterile and bland as any other doctor’s office, posters about women’s health and the growth cycle of a fetus framed on the walls beside cheerful little welcome signs and drawings from several different kids.

It’s definitely a comforting place for someone pregnant, a sense of certainty that everyone here knows what they’re doing and cares about their job hanging in the air.

Savannah looks like she wants to vomit, and it’s not from morning sickness.

Hailey herds her to the front desk and gets her all checked in as Andrea and I sit awkwardly, several chairs separating us.

It’s not long before we get called back and settled into a small room.

A portable ultrasound machine takes up one corner, a light blue bed covered in a white paper sheet lying next to it.

A technician joins us, a wide smile on her face, and talks Savannah through the steps. Hailey and I linger off to one side of the room, watching silently as Andrea takes a seat beside Savannah and holds her hand supportively.