Total pages in book: 145
Estimated words: 145231 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 726(@200wpm)___ 581(@250wpm)___ 484(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 145231 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 726(@200wpm)___ 581(@250wpm)___ 484(@300wpm)
I guessed wrong.
A little reckless fun with a stranger never hurts.
A drunken one-night stand doesn't leave you pregnant.
A savage twist of fate won't make your baby daddy your new boss.
Bad luck can't last forever—unless you're me.
Should we count the ways I'm cooked with Patton Rory?
He rocks the grumpy gene, dialed up to eleven.
He's so handsome the mirror winks back and his bank account has its own zip code.
He's also totally oblivious—thank God.
I'm not sure what he'll be if he figures out the little boy who trashed his fancy building and ruined his favorite tie is his son.
Maybe I'm becoming a human knot, but I won't make the same mistake twice.
If he starts acting human and making my munchkin laugh, I'm not swooning.
If his forbidden kiss tastes like pure temptation, I'll eat mud.
If he makes my heart sing, I'm still clinging to my big little secret.
Even if it's growing so massive I can't separate love from the lie.
This standalone romance read serves up a sweet and spicy secret baby entanglement with heart-rippy feels. Witness the last man who ever thought he'd be a father wake up and go all-in for the wife and son he needs more than his next breath.
*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************
1
TAKING A GAMBLE (SALEM)
Six Years Ago
The water glimmers from the riverboat’s lights, spinning reflections into streaks of gold.
It’s pretty in a distant way, but with how I’m hanging over the side, I’m feeling lucky I haven’t fallen in.
The worn wooden railing feels warm under my arms on this balmy night and the water looks delightfully cool.
Oh, I’m tempted.
But a night of pure torture will make you consider the craziest ways to escape.
Of course, splunking down in the Missouri River would ruin my makeup and my best dress. Not good when Kayla Persephone, my so-called friend whose father rented the boat, spent at least twenty minutes bringing me oh-so-close to matching her rich-girl friends, so I’d feel a little bad.
I just wish I knew why she bothered inviting me.
I twist around, leaving the water to its shimmering silence, and face the rest of the riverboat scene.
The sunset stains the sky blood orange.
The music pounds away in the main cabin, so loud I’m pretty sure I’ll have Adele’s voice burned into my brain for life.
Kayla’s giddy little hamster friends talk and gamble. I see them through the windows, exploring the many rooms of this boat, throwing away play money I can’t even dream of.
To distract myself from the fact that I’m the only one here who isn’t a high-class daddy’s girl, I swipe a glass from a nearby waiter and turn back to the water. Against the backdrop of big money, the river looks more inviting by the second.
God, why are we still friends?
Sure, so back in ninth grade I shared my umbrella with Kayla once, saving her perfect makeup and designer outfit, but we’re adults now.
We’re total opposites socially and—well, every other way.
She left high school and went to Old Mizzou, partying it up like everyone else here. She had the time of her life husband hunting between chasing a degree in whatever her heart desired.
She’s glamorous and successful and beautiful.
And I’m—I’m me.
The girl who turned down debt and her parents’ pleas to go to a real university.
The clown who ditched the conventional college-first advice to work on my business plans back in Kansas City.
I take a long sip of my mimosa and try to savor it, but it just tastes like privilege.
I’ve had loads of businesses by now. Gobs of big ideas.
They’ve just never quite worked out.
The vending machines selling mints seemed like a winner, but I didn’t have the charm to win any amazing locations and the turnover sucked. Apparently, Kansas City isn’t too worried about bad breath.
My eco-friendly cleaning business would’ve been lucrative enough if the market wasn’t jam-packed. It’s amazing how many folks are willing to clean toilets for a living and brandish their green chemical-free credentials, even here in flyover country.
And in this town, good luck charging premium prices for dog walking when there are ten new doggy start-ups every month.
But it’s fine.
I’m fine.
My next big idea is out there, I just know it.
And maybe I’ll even have a chance at finding it if I can get off this casino riverboat with Kayla and her rich friends.
“Salem!” Kayla’s scream splits the air. Everyone turns to stare as she throws herself at me like an overdone kitten, her white-blonde hair curling around her ears. She’s gone for a Marilyn Monroe look tonight and I kinda hate that she’s nailed it.
Beside her, I look like I just clocked off a long night shift at the loser factory.
“Hey, Kay.” I summon a smile from the tips of my toes. “Having a good time? Are you winning anything in there?”
“Lady, we’re just getting started! But why aren’t you playing with us? And why aren’t you drunk yet?” She scoffs at my half glass of mimosa, jerking my arm until I follow her inside to the velvet interior and the longest bar ever.
A cute bartender glances at me for a second. He has a piercing in one ear and a dark tattoo curling up his forearm.
“Lemmy, loosen up! You could be having fun for once,” Kayla croons in my ear.
I try not to shudder.
“I didn’t want to go too crazy tonight. Long week ahead, y’know,” I start, but she’s already leaning over the bar, pushing her ample cleavage half out of her dress.
The cute bartender coughs and spills a big scoop of ice all over the floor, trying not to stare.
Presto boobo, I’m forgotten.
“Shots!” Kayla demands, banging her fists on the counter.
“Huh?” I look at her.
“Tequila. You’re slamming it with me. Right the fuck now.”
Wow. So this evening can get worse.
“…I dunno. I really do have an early morning and—”
“No, Lemmy. No. We have a double date with a top-shelf hottie made of glass and a lime and we’re not standing him up.” She leans back and laughs at her own joke. “You’re gonna have fun here, babe. I promise.”
Inside isn’t much better than outside.