Jeanette’s voice broke when she said, “You should’ve seen it, Reilly. When I walked in and caught them—naked and going at it like rabbits on the couch, no less—I lost it. I told him he was a jerk and that I was done being his friend.”
Reilly couldn’t imagine River taking that lying down. His twin would never let Jeanette walk out of his life. River might not be willing to be more than friends, but losing her entirely would break him. “What did he say?”
“Well, after he put on his damn pants, he chased me out the door. He couldn’t figure out why I was so upset.” She threw her hands in the air. “Can you believe that?” She cursed. “He’s so dense, I swear.”
“We’re in agreement there, but don’t give up on him, sweetie. You’re good for him. He just needs a swift kick in the ass, that’s all.”
“And a wakeup call, if you ask me,” she gritted out as she took another drink of her beer.
“So, give him one.
” Reilly’s mind spun with the possibilities.
“Huh?” Jeanette stood and dropped the empty bottle in the trash and took out two more. “What do you mean?”
Reilly grabbed one and shrugged. “Maybe it’s time you show him another side of Jeanette Munroe.” He looked her over, noting the baggy jeans and sweatshirt. Her hair was pulled up into a high, messy ponytail. She looked all of eighteen, young and innocent, which was at least half the reason River steered clear of anything physical with Jeanette. “Show him a…softer side.”
She glanced down at herself, then looked back over at him. “I’m not soft?”
Uh-oh, dangerous ground. “I just mean maybe you should sex it up a little.” He pointed to her jeans. “Short skirt, tight shirt. Wear your hair down for a change. Prove to my idiot brother that you aren’t just a buddy. Show him that you’re a gorgeous woman, with a woman’s needs.”
A slow grin spread across her face. “Bait, you mean.”
“Yeah.” Reilly bobbed his eyebrows. “But sexy bait.”
“You know, I like the way you think.” She tapped her lips with an index finger and asked, “Why couldn’t I have fallen for you instead?”
Reilly snorted. “Because I’d be putty in your hands and we both know it. Let’s face it, sweetie, you like a challenge.”
She rolled her eyes. “Your brother is challenging, that’s for sure. He challenges my sanity on a daily basis.”
Reilly stood, plucked the beer out of her hand and placed it on the counter. “Now that we’ve plotted my brother’s downfall, you better get your butt to bed.”
“It’s late, sorry.” She took her keys out of her sweatshirt pocket and headed for the door.
Reilly snagged her hood in his hand and brought her to a halt. “Where do you think you’re going?”
She turned, aiming a scowl at him. “Home, where else?”
“You’re a total lightweight, girlie, and you drank both of those beers way too fast.” He pointed to the other room and said, “You’re staying in the guestroom.”
She shrugged and dropped her keys back into her pocket. “Suits me just fine. I’m too tired to drive anyway.”
He gave her ponytail a playful tug and said, “Sweet dreams.”
She nodded and started out of the room, then stopped suddenly and turned. “Thanks, Reilly. I really needed a friend tonight.”
He winked. “Always, sweetie.”
She smiled, then walked away. Now, if only he could get his own love life on the right track, he’d be in business, but something told him that Lucy was going to give him trouble. A whole lot of trouble.
Chapter Four
Present day…
Lucy stared at the little plastic stick in her hand, willing it to change. But it didn’t. The little plus sign wasn’t going away. It was the second test she’d taken.
She was pregnant. Reilly Jennings was about to be a father.