Free A Baby and a Betrothal by Michelle Major

describe it?” Katie asked, trying not to cringe as she lifted her gaze to meet Sara’s.
    â€œWell...” Sara answered with a smile. “He said it was ‘pretty crazy,’ and Josh has seen plenty of crazy, so that’s a big deal for him. I don’t think any of the guys saw it coming.”
    â€œJoin the club,” Katie said. “They probably think I’m a slut.”
    All three of her friends laughed. “You are the least slutty woman in Crimson,” Millie told her.
    â€œOnly on the outside.” Sometimes Katie hated her sainted reputation. The pressure to live up to what people thought about her could be enough to drive her crazy. “If you knew what I was thinking and feeling on the inside...”
    Natalie wiggled her eyebrows. “Which is?”
    â€œThat I’d like to get Noah into the bedroom.” She reached for a brownie and added, “Again.”
    â€œAgain?” three voices chorused.
    Katie ignored the heat rising in her cheeks, both from revealing the secret to her friends and from the memory of Noah’s hands all over her body. “We didn’t plan it the first time, and I know it was a mistake based on his reaction.”
    â€œLet me guess.” Natalie pushed back in her chair. “He freaked out.”
    â€œTook off into the woods for several days,” Katie said with a nod. “He couldn’t handle it.”
    â€œI don’t know him well,” Sara said, “but it doesn’t seem like Noah does long-term relationships.”
    â€œNoah’s idea of long term is a second date,” Natalie confirmed.
    Millie placed a gentle hand on Katie’s wrist. “And you’re ready to settle down with the right guy. That’s the whole reason for Project Set Up Katie.”
    â€œI’m a project? That’s depressing.”
    â€œNot if it gets you the future you want,” Sara argued.
    â€œUnless what you want has changed,” Natalie suggested. “Because I thought you were moving on from how you feel about Noah. You know he’s not the type of guy to settle down. You want hot sex, I bet he can serve that up on a silver platter. Nothing more, Katie.”
    â€œI get it,” she agreed then paused. “But if you saw how he looked at the hospital, how alone he was... He needs more in his life than a string of one-night stands. He needs...”
    â€œYou?” Sara asked.
    Before she could answer, Natalie sat forward. “No. He needs to grow up and take responsibility for his own stuff. You’ve been available to him for years, and he suddenly realizes you’re there just when his mom is sick and he’s back in Crimson for the summer. Too much of a coincidence for my taste.”
    â€œBut if she cares about him, maybe this is the opportunity they’ve needed.” Millie absently brushed the brownie crumbs into her palm. “Maybe she’s what Noah needs.”
    â€œOf course she is,” Natalie agreed. “Any guy would be lucky to have our Katie. But he doesn’t deserve her.”
    â€œStop talking like I’m not here.” Katie stood abruptly and grabbed the empty brownie plate. “I know all about Noah. I know he’s not a long-term bet, but I do care about him. I can’t turn that off. It doesn’t matter anyway. He has me on such a pedestal, he couldn’t handle something real between us.”
    â€œDoes that mean more kissing and stuff?” Sara asked with a wink.
    â€œOr does it mean no more dates with other men?” Millie asked. “Because Olivia had high hopes for Matt Davis.”
    â€œMatt is a great guy.” Katie walked behind the counter and set the plate in the sink. “I told him I’d go out with him again.”
    â€œAnd Noah?”
    She shook her head. “No more kissing and stuff. You’re right. I want something more. Something Noah is unwilling and unable to give