Page 122 of The Baby Bargain

"I don't want to picture you humping a pole." He turns to his best friend.

"There's no humping. Well…" She chews on her bottom lip. "Sometimes there's humping. But you couldn't do half the moves."

"That a bet?" he asks.

She nodsit is.

He offers his hand. "What are we wagering?"

"Loser skips sex for a month."

"You won't go on a second date. Who are you going to have sex with?" he asks.

"I don't hear a counter," she says.

"I'll see you guys later." I move toward the door.

"Seriously, Ariel. If you like this guy, great. But make sure you're on the same page," Forest's voice fills with concern. "I don't want to see another—"

"I'm not eighteen anymore." I bite my lip. It's good advice. He's right. How am I supposed to tell him he's a nosy dick when he's completely right? "But I appreciate the concern."

Forest nodsgood.

I wave goodbye. So it's clear I am beyond done with this conversation. "Now, go do whatever you're doing to do—"

"Work," he says.

"Why are you here?" I ask.

"This is my house," he says.

Nerves flash in Skye's eyes. He's here for her. For some reason she doesn't want me to know.

Okay, fine.

I know how to mind my own business. "Have fun at work."

He chucklesyeah right. "One more question."

"What?" I just stop myself from rolling my eyes.

"Is it Chase?" he asks.

Time stops.

The sounds of traffic, sprinklers, conversation, wind cease.

The only thing in the world is Forest's concerned voice.

And the super obvious questionis it Chase?

"That's all I want to know, Ariel," he says. "Because if it is—"

"What? You're going to punch him in the face?" I keep my back to him. Step into the doorframe. Like this is no big deal.

"He doesn't know what he's capable of," Forest says.

I guess we agree on that point.