I hear the front door of the store swing open, and a smile instantly spreads across my face. It’s Lexi’s last night in Maple Lake before she heads back to Seattle, and I’m so ready for a girls’ night, it’s not even funny.

“Liv, you here?” I hear her call out, the thump of her purse hitting the counter, letting me know she’s making herself right at home in her favorite chair.

Most girls prefer to go out to bars and drink when they get together. Not me and Lexi. Nope, we prefer to sit around a drafty old bookstore and get drunk off the scent of books.

And usually a little wine—for me at least.

As a recovering alcoholic, Lexi never drinks anything harder than a Diet Coke. It’s hard for me to picture Lexi in her former life. The Lexi I know is smart, gorgeous, and responsible as hell. I just can’t picture her as the party girl she claims she used to be. But I’ve seen the pictures of the aftermath of the accident. And I’ve seen Lexi retreat into her dark place more times than I’d care to admit. The girl definitely has a past. I’m just glad Ian is helping her get through it.

There will be no wine for either of us tonight though, considering…

I shrug off the thought and step out of the back room, immediately enveloping my friend in a hug.

“Do you have to go back to stupid Seattle?” I whine, sticking out my bottom lip like a toddler. “I miss you already.”

Lexi rolls her eyes. “Oh, please. You’re so busy with this place; you probably don’t even notice when I’m gone. Besides, I’ll be back in three weeks.”

I scrunch my face in distaste. “I don’t know how you do it. How do you travel back and forth so much? I’d go crazy, having to get on a plane several times a month.”

“Love makes you do crazy things,” she says wistfully, knowing it’s the sort of sappy answer I don’t want to hear.

“Besides, Ian travels even more than I do. I figure, if he can do it, so can I. And, this way, I get to see both my favorite people as much as I can.”

“But I’m your real favorite, right?” I say, giving her a sly wink.

She giggles. “Of course, Liv. Hos before bros and all that.”

I mock offense. “Did you just call me a ho? How dare you, woman. How. Dare. You.”

She gives me another one of her patented eye rolls. “If the shoe fits…”

I playfully slap her. “I think, in order to be considered a ho, one must actually have sex first.”

“Says the woman who tumbled into Brandon’s bed the first night she met him.”

All of the joviality is sucked out of the room the second his name leaves her lips.

I asked Lexi here tonight so that we could spend some time together before she left again but also because I need to tell her about the baby. Lexi is my best friend. And, while I’m convinced I can do this one hundred percent on my own, I know it’ll be a million times easier if I have her in my corner.

Lexi’s hand comes to rest on my shoulder. “Hey, I was just kidding. You know I don’t really think that about you, right?”

I give her a small smile. “I do. It’s just that…” My words trail off.

Now that she’s actually here, in front of me, it’s harder than I expected. I don’t want to see the look of disappointment that’s sure to cross her face when she hears about the predicament I’ve gotten myself into. I’m not this girl. I’m not irresponsible. I’ve never had sex without protection before.

I was just so far gone that night in my need for release that I hadn’t even paid attention to whether or not Brandon used a condom. In fact, until that positive pregnancy test, I was certain he had. I mean, what sort of professional athlete sleeps with God knows how many women and doesn’t bag it up?

Ugh, I’d better add getting tested for STDs to my list of things to do now that I’m knocked up.

But, first…

I lift my gaze to meet Lexi’s, and the genuine concern in her eyes causes a lump to form in my throat.

“What is it, Liv?”

I let out a deep sigh, deciding to just get it over with. Pulling her over to the setup in the corner, I wait until we’re both seated before pinning her with a somber stare.

“I’m pregnant.”

I have to give Lexi credit. Instead of the disappointment I was sure I’d see, her mouth falls open for just a moment before she doubles over in laughter, her hand clutching at her stomach as her loud guffaws echo through the quiet bookstore.

“Oh my God, Liv. You almost had me there. Can you even imagine?”

I fix my eyes on her, waiting and watching for the moment she realizes I’m not laughing with her. It doesn’t take long.

Her face falls when her eyes open again and find my grim expression. “Wait. Are you serious?”

“As a case of the clap—which, as it turns out, I might have, too.”

“What the fuck, Liv?” The words are nearly a shriek as she levels her gaze at me. “How in the hell did this happen?”

“Well, when two people are horny—”

She cuts me off, “I don’t mean literally. I know how the logistics work. I mean, how did this happen? Who’s the father?”

I raise a brow. “Who do you think?”

Her mouth puckers into a pensive look as she racks her brain. “I have no idea. The only person I’ve ever seen you with is Bran—” Her lips form into a silent O.

“Bingo.”

“But that was months ago,” she tells me, as if I don’t remember every single detail of that night in perfect clarity.

“It was. And, if I had to guess, I’d say I’m probably about three months pregnant.”

“You haven’t been to the doctor yet?”

I shake my head. “Not yet. I just took the test yesterday morning. I’ll call first thing on Monday.”

I can practically see the wheels turning inside her head as she studies me. “The other day, on the ladder…”

I nod. “I’ve had a few other incidents like that in the last couple of weeks, but I just chalked it up to stress and lack of food and sleep, like I said. But your offhand comment about pregnancy got me thinking. And I realized it’d been a while since my last period.”

“Jesus, Liv. I just can’t believe it. What are you going to do?”

I place my hand over my stomach, giving it a gentle rub. “I’m going to keep it.”

The smile that spreads across Lexi’s face is blinding, and she immediately launches herself out of the chair and in my direction. I don’t even have time to react before her arms are around my neck, and my entire upper body is crushed against hers.

“You’re gonna be a mommy!” she squeals in my ear. “I can’t believe it!”

I can’t help but get caught up in her enthusiasm. I laugh with her, happy tears springing to my eyes as I return the hug. “I can’t really believe it myself. I never in a million years pictured myself having a kid.”

“You’re going to be the best mom ever,” she tells me, pulling back and looking me square in the eye. Her hands remain on my shoulders, and she gives them a gentle squeeze. “This is going to be the luckiest baby on the planet. You as a mom and Brandon as a dad? He or she will never want for anything.”

I look away from her again, talk of Brandon once again throwing a wrench in my mood. Lexi immediately picks up on my sudden shift in mood though.

“Liv, what did Brandon say about the baby?”

I don’t meet her gaze as I answer, “I haven’t…I haven’t exactly told him yet.”

I make the mistake of looking up at her when she doesn’t answer, and I instantly wish I hadn’t. The disappointment I expected when I first told her is there now, mixed with a tinge of sadness.

“I can do this on my own, Lex. I don’t need a rich baby daddy to take care of me.”

Her voice is soft when she speaks, “But don’t you think he at least has a right to know? To make the decision for himself?”

I shake my head. “Lexi, I don’t want to be that person. I don’t want to be the woman who traps a man with a kid. I don’t need his help. He doesn’t want a baby. He doesn’t want a relationship. The only thing him knowing would do is cause a world of drama for the both of us. I’d rather not have to deal with that on top of taking over this place. Oh, and you know, giving birth and raising a freaking human being.” My tone is light as I try to make Lexi smile with my brand of sarcastic humor. It’s never failed me before.

But the corners of her lips don’t even rise in the slightest hint of amusement.

“I think you’re making a mistake, Liv. Brandon has a right to know you’re having his kid. He has a right to decide if he wants to be a part of his or her life.”

“I disagree,” I say, resolute in my decision. “Because I already know how he’ll react. You think he’s suddenly going to drop everything and want to play house with me and a baby? That’s not who he is.”

Lexi shoots me a pointed look. “You spent all of twelve hours with him, and you think that makes you an expert on who he is?”

I shrug. “I know his type. I saw dozens of them growing up. They’re after a good time. With him, that was fine with me, because that was all I wanted. I never expected anything else. Least of all this.”

“Brandon might be a bit of a player—”

“You mean, man-whore.”

She rolls her eyes at my interruption. “Yes, well, you could probably think of a dozen other things to call him. And you’d be right. But, in the few months I’ve been traveling between Maple Lake and Seattle, I’ve really gotten to know him. He’s Ian’s best friend, so it was kind of hard not to. But, as I said, he might be a player, but he’s a damn good guy. One of the most loyal people I’ve ever met.”

Now, it’s my turn to roll my eyes. “Right. A loyal player. Do you hear yourself right now, Lexi?”

“I know; I know. It sounds crazy. But, honestly, he really is a good guy. He might go through women like tacos on Tuesday, but you’ve never seen him around his teammates. His friends. There isn’t a damn thing he wouldn’t do for those guys. And I think, given the opportunity, he could show you the same sort of devotion.”

I reach over and place my hand over hers. “Lexi, you know I love you. In the year I’ve known you, you’ve become like the sister I never had. So, to say you’re a little biased is an understatement. I am not the woman who’s going to tame the wild beast. I’m nobody special, and I’m certainly not worth giving up everything he has. You found Ian, and I’m happy as hell that you did. But I think, because of that, you’re sort of living in a fairy-tale world where everybody gets their own happily ever after. Brandon Jeffers is not the one for me. And I’m okay with that. Please let me be.”

She shakes her head, her eyes falling down to the floor. “For a woman with so much determination and pride, you sure as hell sell yourself short. You are special, Liv. More than special. You were the first person to make me feel welcome in this town. You’re my best friend. And I just want you to be happy.”

I smile softly. “I am happy. Really. I’m going to take over the bookstore, and I’m going to give this baby everything it could ever want. Including the most kick-ass godmother it could ever ask for.”

Lexi’s face breaks into a grin. “You’d better be talking about me, or I’m going to kick your ass.”

I give her a panicked look. “Oh, shit, you want to be a godmother, too? I’m not sure how Margie will feel about sharing that duty,” I say, referencing the older woman who lives next door to Lexi’s lake house.

She gives me a playful shove in the shoulder. “Shut up. Even if that were true, you know Margie would have no problem with it. She loves me.”

She really does. Lexi moved to town last year after some sad shit went down in her hometown of Chicago. And, somehow, she managed to win over the entire town in a matter of weeks. Not exactly an easy feat in a tiny place like Maple Lake.

Her face grows serious after a few moments, her eyes once again coming to rest on mine. “Will you at least consider telling Brandon?”

I’m tired of this discussion, so I sigh and agree. “Fine, I’ll think about it. But, Lexi, until I decide, you don’t breathe a word of this. To anyone. Not even Ian.”

Her mouth drops open. “I can’t keep something like this from him. I don’t keep secrets from him anymore. Not after everything that happened.”

“But, if you tell Ian, he’s sure to tell Brandon. Please, Lex. Just promise me, okay? Let me figure this out first.”

She reluctantly agrees, telling me to call her the minute I make up my mind on whether or not I’m going to tell Brandon.

She doesn’t need to know that my mind is already made up.

Two hours later, Lexi gathers her things and gives me a giant hug before walking out the front door of Turn the Page. I know she’s going to be back in just a few weeks, but I still hate seeing her leave.

Especially now, when I feel like I need her the most.

Knock it off, Liv. You can do this on your own. You’re strong and independent, and you are totally going to rock this mom thing.

Maybe, if I repeat those words enough, they might come true.

My cell phone rings from the table between the chairs Lexi and I were sitting in. I walk over to it, not even bothering to look at the screen before answering. Lexi is notorious for leaving something behind at the bookstore.

“What’d you forget this time, Lex?” I say by way of greeting.

“Olivia?” The deep voice of a woman comes over the line. It’s gravelly and gruff, sounding as if the speaker smokes at least three packs a day.

Definitely not Lexi.

No, but it is a voice I’m familiar with. One I hoped I’d never hear again.

“You there, baby?” The voice comes again.

I clench my jaw, my teeth grinding together at the use of the pet name. “Don’t call me that. What do you need, Linda?”

“Linda?” She tsks. “What happened to good old-fashioned Mom?”

“Wouldn’t know. Never had much of one of those.”

The words are harsh, but I can’t bring myself to regret them, not even after I hear the sharp intake of air on the other end of the line.

Any good mood I was feeling when Lexi walked out the door is gone, and I’m not in the mood to try to placate the woman who gave birth to me.

“What do you need?”

“I just wanted to talk to my daughter.”

“Bullshit. You never call unless you need something. And, if I recall, you told me the last time would be the last time.”

She sighs heavily. “I know. And, this time, I mean it. I’ve just fallen on a bit of hard times, Livvy, and I—”

“Don’t call me that either. Just tell me how much you want.”

“Three should do it.”

Three. Thousand. Dollars.

I have enough in my account but just barely. I’ve sunk almost every bit of my savings into restoring this place and trying to turn it into the amazing store I know it can be. If I give her the money, it’ll set me back at least a month.

But, if I don’t, I run the risk of her coming back.

“Fine. Tell me where to wire it, and I’ll do it tomorrow.”

She rattles off an account number at a financial institution near where she’s staying—which is far away from Maple Lake, thank God.

I disconnect the call before she can say anything else, the sick feeling in the pit of my stomach already building as I toss my phone back on the table.

I know I shouldn’t keep giving in to her. Each time she calls, it’s more and more money. And I know it just gets spent on booze, drugs, and whatever the hell she thinks she needs to help dull the sting of her loneliness. Because, even after all these years, my mother still hasn’t learned to live her own life. I might not have seen her in almost a decade, but I know she’s still waiting for Prince Charming to swoop in and save the day.

As if Prince Charming wants a tweaked-out meth head with pockmarked skin and saggy tits.

I collapse into one of the chairs, the sick feeling in my stomach worsening at the knowledge that I’m basically just throwing three thousand dollars down the drain. I want to scream at the thought of how much this hurts my plans for the store.

But it’s better than the alternative.

My mom left Maple Lake when I was sixteen, rode out of town without so much as a good-bye. Luckily, Charlie was there to pick up the pieces of her tattered life. Namely, me.

If she were to show up now, it would ruin everything I’ve built here. She would destroy the life I’ve made for myself in Maple Lake. And she would completely dismantle the years it took me to finally accept that I was better off without her.

My mother returning to Maple Lake cannot happen.

First thing in the morning, I’ll send her the money and hope like hell this is well and truly the last time.

Money can always be replaced.

My sanity, on the other hand, cannot.