What’s the last thing I expected to see when I entered the bookstore? That’s right. Holly.

The same luscious redhead who had been starring in my fantasies ever since we’d returned from Sydney. The same luscious redhead I thought about every time I jacked off in the shower—more so than before we’d had sex together for the first time.

The other thing I hadn’t expected? To find her in the parenting section. And while we were at it—having her shriek and drop a pile of books on my foot definitely hadn’t made it onto my to-do list for today.

So I think we can agree I was surprised by the turn of events—even before what was about to happen.

Have you ever watched a horror movie? You know the part where you were certain something bad was about to happen? Hell, even the character who was about to die recognized something bad was about to happen. Her eyes were wide, her face pale, and if she found her voice, screaming would be her top priority. It was that moment just before the character decided running might be a good idea. Preferably away from the evil presence.

Now you know Holly’s expression exactly.

Instead of picking up the books, she just continued staring at me. O-kay. I crouched down and gathered them up—along with the stuffed bear she had also dropped.

Pregnancy and baby books? Huh?

Maybe they were for Trent’s sister, Erin. But while I could understand the baby books, the pregnancy books didn’t make sense since the baby was due in a few weeks. Wasn’t it a little late to begin reading up on the topic?

Or maybe it had nothing to do with Erin. Maybe Kelsey was pregnant. The corner of my mouth jerked up to one side. Way to go, Trent, on knocking up your girlfriend.

Although I was a bit surprised Holly knew and I didn’t. But then Trent was a guy, and he probably didn’t feel the need to tell me about it yet.

Remember the part about the character in the horror movie finally deciding that running might be a good idea? Well, when I stood back up, that was the look Holly was now sporting.

I handed the books back to her. “Hey, how’s it going?” I asked, suddenly realizing how much I’d missed her. Wow. Where did that come from? I wasn’t even talking about the sex—although it had been pretty spectacular.

No, I meant she was fun to hang out with.

Not all women could claim that.

“Hey, handsome,” Maria said, sashaying up to us like a runway model. Which wasn’t too surprising given she used to be one. “Did you find anything you like?” The Portuguese accent? Yes, it was hot, but not as hot as Holly’s Aussie accent.

Maria glanced between Holly and me. “I’m not interrupting anything, am I?”

“Not at all,” I said. “Holly, this is Maria, my teammate Adam Bennett’s fiancée.” To Maria, I said, “Holly’s a friend of mine.” True—even if I hadn’t seen her since Australia.

“It’s Adam’s birthday this weekend, and Josh is helping me with his present,” Maria explained to Holly. “But because my favorite author’s new book came out today, I asked Josh if we could come here first.” She held the book up for Holly to see. On the cover was a picture of a man wearing only jeans and a cowboy hat, the woman’s legs hiked around his waist.

And instantly my mind snapped to a memory of me holding Holly the same way, except we had both been naked at the time.

Don’t go there, you idiot. Holly and I had been nothing more than a short-term fling. A short-term fling that had left my body thirsty for more. A more that my random hookups over the past two months hadn’t been able to quench.

Not that there had been that many. For some reason, ever since returning home, they hadn’t held the same appeal they used to. And because of that, their frequency had taken a nose dive.

Maria glanced at the books and bear cradled in Holly’s arm. “Oooh, are you going to have a baby?”

I had expected Holly to say they were for a friend. My expectation was met by a panicked silence—and my belief that Trent and Kelsey were expecting a baby dove headfirst through the store window.

Holly was the one who was pregnant, which meant she was seeing someone.

Not that it mattered, I told myself.

“Congratulations.” That sounded genuine, right? It didn’t sound like I was surprised? Which I was. The last I’d heard, she didn’t even want kids.

“Thank you,” Holly said softly.

“I so love babies,” Maria gushed. “When is yours due?”

“February twenty-third.” Holly’s gaze was focused on something over Maria’s shoulder, and I was almost tempted to turn and see what it was.

Maria giggled. “Well, it’s a good thing the father isn’t a hockey player.”

Holly’s gaze shot back to Maria, the horror-movie expression having returned. “Why’s that?”

“Because chances are good he won’t be around when the baby is born,” Maria said. “He’ll be away on a road trip with his team. It’s a hazard of the sport.” Yet it hadn’t stopped her from saying yes when Bennett proposed to her a few months ago.

Music played from Maria’s purse. She reached in and answered her phone. “Hey, babe,” she said, walking away from us.

“So…” I began to say. But what the heck did you say to the woman whose memory you jacked off to in the shower—only to discover she was carrying another man’s child?

I paused, thinking of the right topic for this situation.

And drew a blank.

“Trent never mentioned you’re seeing anyone,” I said.

She clutched the books and bear against her chest. “I’m not.”

Eyebrow raised, I gestured at her perfectly flat stomach. “So, it was an immaculate conception?”

“No, there was definitely a man there.” She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “It’s your baby, Josh.”

Of all the things she could have told me, that wasn’t on my list of possibilities.

Not even close.

Holy. Shit.