“The baby isn’t mine.” He said simply as he gazed at me.

“What?” I frowned, my heart racing. Was he telling the truth?

“Your sister’s baby. It’s not mine.” He looked away then. “I wasn’t meant to tell you that.”

“Why not?”

“It’s complicated.” He sighed and looked back at me. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have told you that.”

“Have you slept with Gabby?” I asked breathlessly. Please say no, please say no, please say no.

“Liv.” He started to speak and the stopped himself. “I should go inside now.”

“But you just came out.” All of a sudden I didn’t want him to leave. All of a sudden I wanted us to have this conversation. All of a sudden, I felt light-headed and giddy. Maybe, just maybe, I wasn’t so in the wrong after-all. Maybe I didn’t need to be on an episode of Jerry. Maybe I wasn’t a backstabbing bitch.

“Liv, does it matter?”

“It matters to me.” I nodded and bit my lip.

“Then no, I haven’t slept with Gabby.” He said seriously. “But I expect that to change once we’re married.”

“You’re still going to marry her?” My heart was jumping for joy, but my stomach was still in the pits.

“Why wouldn’t I?” He frowned as he gazed at me.

“I don’t know. Maybe a simple thing like you slept with me.” My voice dropped as he looked at me, his expression not changing. Why was he making this so difficult? Why couldn’t he just tell Gabby he made a mistake and then ask me out on a date? I’d be willing to forgive him the transgression of asking Gabby to marry him. He hadn’t really known me then. But he knew who I was now. Why would he still want to marry Gabby? After we’d had such amazing chemistry together.

“So?” He said simply and then turned around. “Good night, Liv. Have sweet dreams, my dear.”

I didn’t answer him. My face was burning with embarrassment and shame. “Try not to boom boom boom with too many moons.” He said again with a light laugh and I sat back in the rocking chair and moved back and forth quickly, trying to forget our whole conversation.

Chapter Four

“You didn’t have to come at six am.” I yawned as I opened the front door for Alice. “Scott, Chett and Aiden aren’t home yet.” I blinked at Alice as she beamed at me. “And why do you look so chipper and made up.” I frowned and leaned towards her. “Are you wearing fake eyelashes?” I peered at her longer, thicker and blacker than normal lashes. “And hair extensions?” My jaw dropped open. “At six am?”

“Shh, I just wanted to look good.” She blushed. “Go back to sleep.”

“I think not.” I headed towards the kitchen. “Let’s have some coffee and talk?”

“Okay.” She nodded and followed behind me. “Also, I came early to help you.”

“To help me?” I looked back at her incredulously. “How is waking me up before the roosters helping me?”

“In case you were in bed with Xander, he could leave your room before Gabby woke up.”

“Ugh, don’t even.” I made a face.

“You didn’t sleep with him, did you?” It was her turn to look shocked. “Liv!”

“Liv nothing.” I rolled my eyes and turned on the kettle. “I didn’t sleep with him again.” I took out two cups and yawned again. “And trust me, I never will again. He’s an asshole.”

“Ooh what did he do?”

“What do you mean, what did he do?” I turned away from her and opened the fridge. “Milk and sugar?” I said into the fridge.

“You know I want both. Now spill it Taylor, what did Mr. Tongue do?”

“His name is Xander.” I groaned as I took the milk out and turned around.

“He was Mr. Tongue first.” She grinned. “If I do recall he was Mr. Miracle Tongue, he was the—”

“Enough.” I groaned again. “He is not anything to me.”

“What happened?” Her eyes lit up.

“I’ll tell you what happened on one condition?” I bit my lower lip and grinned at her.

“What condition?” She frowned and leaned forward. “I’m not sleeping with him as well.”

“I’m not asking that.” I rolled my eyes. “Tell me who you like.”

“What?” Alice sat back, her face growing pink.

“Do you like Aiden, Scott or Chett?” I leaned on the countertop and stared at her. “Tell me which one of my brothers you like and I will tell you what happened with Xander.”

“I don’t like any of them. What are you talking about?” Alice stuttered as she avoided my eyes and I smiled to myself. Alice was such a poor liar and she knew that I knew the truth. I scooped some of the ground beans into the French press and then poured the boiling water inside the glass container and put the top on.

“Chett, Scott or Aiden?” I asked softly as I turned back to face her. “Let me think, I doubt it’s Chett. You’re not into blond guys and he’s the blondest guy I know. And you’re not into Nascar and he loves it. Let’s see, so it’s between Scott and Aiden. Hmm.” I stared at her as she glared at me and I grinned. “Both are hot, though they’re my brothers so I feel icky saying that. Let me think, who do I think you’re after?”