Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 95273 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95273 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
I didn’t realize that Bridger Blackwell was a single dad.
Millie lifts her head and sighs. “I’m not supposed to tell anyone.”
“We’re not anyone,” I remind her. “We’re the cone of silence. Maybe it’s something we can help with, too.”
“If any of you breathes so much as a syllable about this to anyone, I will skin you alive,” she warns us and then pushes her fingers through her long, chestnut-brown hair as we all make the cross my heart motion over our chests. “So, we all know that Angela left Bridger more than two years ago, before Birdie was a year old.”
“Sidebar,” I put in, getting their attention. “I love how everyone in that family has a B name. Even Birdie.”
“It’s maybe the sweetest thing ever,” Polly agrees. “Okay, continue.”
“Okay,” Millie says, leaning forward. “Angela didn’t want to be a mom. Hell, she just wanted to bang Bridger, and, as we’ve all discussed, who can blame her? He may be my bestie, but even I can admit that he’s a hottie.”
“Right?” Erin says, nodding.
“But lately, Birdie’s been really sick. Not with anything contagious. We don’t really know what it is, and it’s not cancer, that’s for certain. But it’s been bad enough that Bridger doesn’t want to leave her with just anyone, and he has to work. He’s the chief. He’s been pulling mostly night shifts the past couple of months to help out his crew, so I go and stay with Birdie so she can sleep in her own bed. It’s not that big of a deal because she sleeps 90 percent of the time I’m there, but she needs medicine, and damn. I shouldn’t have told.”
“Poor Bridger,” I breathe, not able to fathom the thought of my baby being sick and not knowing why. “And poor Birdie.”
“You’re a good friend,” Polly says, reaching out to cover Millie’s hand with her own. “We already know that, of course, but seriously, Mill, you’re a good friend.”
“Bridger and I were always tight,” she says with a shrug of her shoulder. “He’s a couple of years older than me, but we got along. Aside from you guys, he might be my best friend, and I can’t tell him that I won’t help him out just because I’m not getting enough sleep. He’s coming off of nights soon, though, and then he’ll have to find help during the day.”
“She could come to the ranch,” Erin says, thinking it over. “But I’m pretty busy with the event center. He probably wants someone more full time.”
“He’d like to be able to put her in preschool this fall, with the other kids her age. She turned three last month. Hopefully, they can figure out what’s going on with her, and she can go. She’s just the sweetest kid. His family’s been helping, too, of course.” She yawns hugely. “Anyway, that’s the skinny on that. No Pound Town for me, and let me tell you, I could use an orgasm or two.”
“Holden?”
Millie narrows her eyes at Erin and growls. “Don’t start on that guy.”
“You know,” I say, tapping my finger against my lips, “I have a toy that I never got around to using, since I’m now getting dick on the regular, and you’re welcome to it.”
“First of all,” Millie says, scowling, “ew. Second of all, absolutely not.”
“I’m so sorry that I’m almost late!” The five of us turn as Sophie and London bustle onto the terrace, both looking absolutely gorgeous.
London’s in a pink summer dress, her dark hair pulled back from her face, and she makes a beeline for Polly, giving her a big hug before rubbing Polly’s belly.
Sophie is tall, also dark-haired, and absolutely gorgeous in her signature activewear—orange today—and crisp white sneakers.
Sophie has built an entire brand around wellness, from the inside out, at any size, and that’s something that I really respect about her because I’m a curvy girl, too. Not only does she talk about nutrition and exercise, but also skincare and fashion, and because we’re close to the same size, I’ve often felt like I can identify with her.
So, when she comes over to say hello to me, I can’t help but hold on to her hand for an extra beat.
“Thank you,” I say softly, only for her ears, “for what you do. And for being here.”
Her beautiful face softens, and she leans in to hug me. “It’s truly my pleasure, Abbi. It’s so good to see you again. You look fabulous.”
She pulls back to smile at me, and then her gaze narrows.
“Are you using a new skincare routine I should know about? You’re glowing.”
“Yeah,” Erin replies for me, “it’s called regular sex with a hot cowboy.”
Sophie’s grin spreads, and then she laughs and hugs me again.
“That’ll do it. Good for you, girlfriend. Sex is good for us. Now, when does this party start?”