shrug, looking at my side window. “Well, you know . . . all those guys use coffee beans to hide the smell of their drugs from the sniffer dogs. Must mean something.”
The car goes silent again, but this time it’s not awkward. Neither of us says another word until we’re pulling up to the pub. There’s only one other car in the parking lot.
I look at my watch. “I guess we’re here early.”
“Fine with me. Only person I’m here to see is you.” Lucky puts the car in park and shuts off the ignition.
My heart leaps at his words. It’s like we’re teenagers again, only this time we’re flirting, fumbling around, trying not to say too much of what’s in our heads. It feels good, but it also makes me nervous.
I open up my door quickly, afraid he’s going to come around and open it for me again. I can only take so much of that gentleman crap before I start getting cranky. It makes me think he considers me helpless, and nothing could be further from the truth.
He follows me to the pub’s front door without saying a word, but at the last minute, he leans in and grabs the handle, pulling it open for me. I just breeze through. If he wants to get my doors, fine. I’ll let him. It’s silly how it kind of makes me feel special. It’s just a damn door.
As we enter the front room, Lucky raises his hand and signals Danny the bartender. He holds up two fingers and points them down at our heads. We take two stools at the far corner of the bar.
Danny comes over with two beers, but just as he’s about to open one, Lucky holds up a finger. “Wait.” He looks at me sideways and then smiles before turning his attention back to Danny. “Don’t open those. We’re on the wagon now, I forgot. Bring us two juices instead.”
Danny lifts a brow at us. “Two juices? What kind of juice?”
Lucky strokes his beardless chin. “I don’t know. I’ve never ordered juice in a bar before. What’ve you got?”
Danny rolls his eyes heavenward, giving the impression he’s reading a menu up on his forehead. “Let’s see, we have orange juice, cranberry juice, apple juice . . .”
“Two OJs.” Lucky looks at me. “That okay with you?”
“I guess.” I am decidedly unenthusiastic about this choice of beverage, but I know what he’s getting at; if I’m pregnant I shouldn’t be drinking. The whole idea just pisses me off all over again. This maybe-baby is already getting in my way.
Danny moves away and Lucky leans in closer. “Sorry about that. I wasn’t thinking.”
I roll my eyes. “At least you didn’t tell Danny that I’m pregnant. I should count my blessings, I guess.”
“Do you think he knows what’s up?”
I shake my head. “I don’t think anybody would suspect me of being pregnant ever. I’m sure we’re okay.”
Lucky frowns at me. “Why would you say that?”
I look at him to see if he’s joking but he appears serious. “Because. It’s obvious.”
He turns more fully in my direction. “What’s obvious? Spell it out for me, because I’m not getting where you’re coming from.”
I turn to face him so he can get a better view. “Look at me. I’m not mom material. I don’t even like kids.”
A flicker of something that looks like pain passes over Lucky’s face before he’s smiling again. “Are you kidding me? You look like you could pump out a whole litter of pups.”
I snort and roll my eyes, turning back to the bar. “Ridiculous.”
Lucky goes quiet for a little while, but then he nudges me again. “How come you don’t like kids?”
I shake my head, looking down at the bar, sliding my fingernail along a scratch in the top of it as I speak. “It’s not that I don’t like them; I think it’s more that they don’t like me, and I’m cool with that.”
“What? That’s crazy. Kids like you. Dev’s son likes you. Jenny’s son loves you. Sammy thinks you’re the most beautiful woman he’s ever seen in his life. He told me just the other day he’s going to marry you when he turns ten.”
I laugh, my cheeks going a little warm. I have no idea why this embarrasses me; he’s just a kid. “I think the little guy needs glasses.”
Lucky mumbles his response under his breath. “No, there’s definitely nothing wrong with his eyesight. Trust me on that.”
I glance at Lucky, but he’s not giving