Total pages in book: 116
Estimated words: 118780 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 594(@200wpm)___ 475(@250wpm)___ 396(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 118780 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 594(@200wpm)___ 475(@250wpm)___ 396(@300wpm)
His easy grin returns as he shakes his head. “Only a few sisters.”
“I’m never missing another girls' night out.”
“Maybe tonight is your night.” I scan the room, spotting a few possibilities.
“Unlikely I’ll meet my dream man in Tom’s. We’re here all the time.”
“You never know.”
“Yo!” The bellow brings many heads swinging toward the back of the bar.
Tom points our way. “You, Brit, need to see you.”
“I’m assuming he means me.” Collin stands.
“His conduct is gruff, but he’s really a softie.” I defend Tom’s rude demeanor.
“I can handle him.” Collin strolls casually to Tom’s office.
“What is that about?” Shelby asks.
“Come in more often and you’ll get used to him.” Harley stops in front of us. “He’s probably getting his social security number to run through the system.”
“Would he do that?” Shelby’s eyes widen in wonder.
“Shayla is now one of his girls and he is protective.”
Collin exits the office with Tom on his heels. My stomach knots as my chest seizes. Tom's face is etched with apprehension, his eyes laced with fear.
The noise around us dies out as he goes directly to Harley.
Shayla closes in on her side.
“Jewls was rushed to the ER,” Tom announces.
All the air is sucked out of the room.
“She’s fine, but it’s time.”
“It’s time?” Harley whispers.
He nods. “The babies are coming tonight.”
There’s a split second of silence, then all hell breaks loose.
Shelby, Ginger, and I are on our feet, grabbing our purses.
“OH MY GOD! It’s time! Oh my God, oh my God, are we ready for this? Are they ready? She’s early. This can’t be good,” Harley stresses, pulling at her hair.
“They are all fine,” Tom assures her, but she’s not listening.
“Was she alone? The guys are working… oh my God, Major!”
I fumble for my phone, dialing Ford with shaky fingers.
“Babe,” he answers calmly. He must not know.
I draw in a deep breath to still my nerves.
This doesn’t work.
“Jewls is in the ER! She’s… she’s… It’s time!” I shout hysterically. “Get Major to the hospital.”
There’s a low chuckle followed by mumbling. “We’re at the hospital and Jewls is good.”
“You’re there?”
“Yeah, babe. Where else would we be?”
“Why didn’t you call me?”
“We kinda had our hands full when we got the call.”
I picture Major losing his mind when faced with the news his wife was being rushed to the hospital.
“Is Major okay?”
“He is now. Ace called Tom to handle Jay.”
“I should have stayed with her tonight. She shouldn’t have been alone. Did we pack her bag? What about the nursery? Is it together? The bassinets arrived today. They aren’t assembled yet.” Harley’s rant grows louder with each word, her hands flying wildly through the air.
“Tell her we’ll get the fucking bassinets assembled,” Ace calls through the line.
“Why do you have me on speakerphone?”
“Because it’s entertaining.”
“Entertaining? We are distraught with worry!”
“No reason to be. Collin knows what to do.”
I glance at Collin, who is viewing Harley with hilarity.
“I can drive. I’ve only had one drink.”
“Rowan, do what Collin says. See you soon.”
The line goes dead and I groan in frustration. “He hung up on me.”
“Was that Ford? Do they have Major? Is he with Jewls? What if she’s in pain and all alone?”
“They are at the hospital. Jewls is good.”
Harley’s already splotchy face goes redder. “Achilles is at the hospital and didn’t call me?!?”
“Woman, get your shit together. He called me. The Brit here is your ride to the hospital. You two go, I’ll handle the bar.” Tom motions between Shayla and Harley.
“His name is Collin,” Shayla corrects him.
“Let’s see if he sticks before I remember his name.”
“Oh my God. Oh my God… I have to call my parents. What about Margo and Gil? Huey, Duey, and Louie? Janice, Ronnie, and Bea… Do they know?” Harley’s back at it.
Shayla grabs her forearms and shakes her crazily. “Calm your tits! Major won’t let you anywhere near Jewls if you’re a crazed lunatic.”
Harley snaps out of it, looking around as if she’s been in a trance and the air is clearing. “You’re right. Jewls needs me. We have to get to her.”
“Your chariot awaits.” Collin dangles his keys. “There’s plenty of room for all.”
That’s all it takes to shift her into motion. Harley and Shayla grab their bags, hustling around the bar.
“I’ll hang back and wait for news. Plan on me opening Rendezvous tomorrow,” Shelby offers.
I flash her a grateful look and squeeze her hand.
We’re halfway to the door when Tom calls out, “Hollywood!”
He’s leaning on the bar top and I swear there’s a mist in his eyes. “Tell Jewls I’ll be there soon.”
I nod, blow him a kiss, and hurry to Collin’s SUV.
There’s a police car blocking our exit, and a man in uniform is chatting with him. They shake hands, and Collin motions for us to load up.
“Seems we have an official escort to the hospital, courtesy of Captain Boyd.”
“He’s officially my new favorite person.” Harley pulls out her phone and types furiously.