Free Opposites Distract by Judi Lynn Page A

“I doubt your sisters talk writing. They probably talk about mutual friends and their kids and family—stuff I’m not good at.”
    â€œI see.” What the hell did that mean? And what difference did it make? He pulled into Ian’s drive and sighed with relief. “The sidewalk looks safe.”
    Harmony shook her head, confused. She reached for the door handle, but he asked another question.
    â€œYour childhood wasn’t all that great, was it?”
    â€œNo, but it wasn’t all that bad either.” She knew people who’d had it far, far worse.
    He nodded, and they got out of the car and headed to the house.
    Tessa greeted them. “Ian’s grilling steaks on the back patio. Supper will be ready in a few minutes.”
    Harmony studied her as she led them into the kitchen. Her frizzy, copper hair was flat. A no shower day, for sure. Her creamy complexion looked pale. “Are you okay?”
    Right then, Ian came in the back door, teeth chattering. His nose and cheeks glowed like Rudolph’s. He held a platter with four steaks, tented in foil.
    Tessa looked embarrassed. “I baked with Grandma all morning. I felt great. I wanted to make bouillabaisse, but the smells bothered me. I kept getting nauseous.”
    â€œOh, shit.” Brody shook his head.
    Ian frowned at him.
    â€œYou need to go see a doctor,” Brody said.
    â€œWhat do you think is wrong with her?” Ian sounded concerned.
    â€œI don’t think I’m sick,” Tessa said. “Or contagious.”
    â€œNeither do I.” Brody went to the refrigerator to fetch two beers. “I think you’d better start taking prenatal vitamins.”
    Ian stared. So did Tessa and Harmony.
    Tessa asked, “What do you mean?”
    Brody raised an eyebrow. “I think you’d better pee on a stick.”
    Ian’s expression flashed with revelation. “Oh, no, not like Maeve.”
    â€œPuked her brains out every morning for weeks,” Brody said.
    â€œMorning sickness?” Harmony gazed at her friend.
    Brody popped the cap off his beer bottle and took a swig. “Go buy a pregnancy test at the drugstore. They’re accurate.”
    Ian’s brown eyes went wide, and Tessa reached out a hand to grip the countertop. Clearly she needed to brace herself.
    Ian grabbed Brody’s shoulder. “Let’s go.”
    â€œDo you know how bad the roads are?”
    â€œSo drive slow. I have to know.”
    Brody shook his head. “Not until I get my steak.”
    â€œIt’ll wait. Tess’ll put it in a warm oven.” Ian grabbed a handful of Brody’s sweater and started for the door.
    Tessa began pacing. She kept mumbling to herself. Harmony tried to calm her, but never found the right thing to say.
    A half hour later, the men were back. Tessa disappeared into the bathroom, then opened the door so Ian could watch the strip with her. When it turned blue, Ian whooped with joy. Tessa grabbed ahold of the doorframe.
    â€œDo you need a bucket?” Harmony asked. Tessa looked like she might be sick again.
    Ian pulled her to him. “It’s going to be okay, babe. We’re going to make great parents.”
    â€œBut we were going to wait a year . . .”
    Ian cut off her worries. “So what? The universe sent us a surprise. An awesome one.”
    When they sat down to eat, Tessa’s hands shook. Harmony thought she might have to offer to cut her steak into bite-sized pieces for her. Ian looked like he’d explode if he couldn’t shout his news to the world sometime soon.
    Tessa was so shaken, Harmony reached for her hand. “Did you use protection?”
    â€œAll but one time. We were in . . . sort of a rush.”
    Ian smirked. “Things got a little out of control.”
    â€œBut you want kids?” Harmony persisted.
    â€œOh, yes. We were going to wait a year, to give ourselves some time as a couple. But I’m