Just as I’m about to log off and shut down my computer, a message pops up on my screen.
CaptainMike would like to connect with you.
Captain, huh? He looks good in his picture so I click accept, opening up his message.
CaptainMike: Hey, beautiful. Where the hell have you been hiding?
I sit back with a smile, pulling my knees up to my chest. Less than one minute online and I already have a potential date. And I was worried this would take more than a month.
Why the hell didn’t I do this sooner?
I keep my response short.
TK12: Hi. It’s nice to meet you, Mike. I’m Tessa.
The little bubbles pop up, indicating that he’s typing.
CaptainMike: Send me a shot of them titties. You barely gave me cleavage in your profile pic.
I gasp and immediately begin typing my response, fury in each key-stroke.
TK12: Fuck you, asshole. Go stare at your own titties, which by the looks of your profile pic, are bigger than mine. I’m actually jealous.
I close the chat window and march away from my computer.
Why the hell didn’t I do this sooner?
That’s why.
***
“Oh look. You framed it.” Mia runs her fingers along the edge of the picture hanging in my living room. It’s of the two of us on her wedding day, and I loved it so much I had it blown up to an 11x15. She turns toward me, keeping one hand on her enormous baby bump. “You really looked beautiful that day. Pale yellow is definitely your color.”
“Thanks. Unfortunately for me, I was totally outshined by the bride. She looked amazing and got all of the attention.” I reach over and lay my hand across her belly, dying to feel some of the kicking she’s always talking about. “Nothing. This kid must sense my presence and go into a power nap whenever I’m around.”
“He was flipping around like crazy earlier today. Kicking me in the ribs and using my bladder as a punching bag. I had to pee four times when I was at the grocery store, and you know my thing with public restrooms.” She scrunches up her face. “Gross.”
We both round the couch and sit on opposite ends, Mia taking a lot longer than me to plant her butt down. Once it’s accomplished, she lets out soft grunt. “I really hope I go a little bit early. I mean, look at me.” She motions to her belly. Her very pregnant belly.
Mia’s due in less than a month, and I know for a fact that she’s been doing everything possible as of recently to move things along. I think she looks amazing. From the back, she doesn’t even appear to be pregnant. The only weight she’s put on has gone to her mid-section and her boobs. I gaze at them in appreciation and then drop my eyes to my own chest, which serves its C-cup purpose.
“I bet my brother is loving the extra room those are taking up,” I say, nodding at her ample addition.
“He is a bit more fascinated with them than usual.” She stares off at the floor for a moment, and I catch the flush in her cheeks as some memory washes over her. “Oh!” She turns her face up to me with a beaming smile. “I almost forgot about your date last night. Tell me everything.”
I groan and throw my head back onto the couch.
I’ve been registered on Ignite for nine days, and every guy so far that has contacted me has either been too old, too weird, or given off a rapey vibe from his screen-name alone. One guy landed on ClitMaster69 when he went through the tedious task of settling on a name. And then there was FingerBanger and ItsSmallButWorks. Seriously? I applaud you for your honesty, dude, but I believe my ideal mate is supposed to be able to fuck like a champion, and there is always a size requirement when it comes to my pussy. You must be this long to board this ride.
“Helloooo?”
I look over at my best friend with a forced smile. “Oh, he was a charmer. Not only did he bring me flowers when he came to pick me up, but he also brought his dirty fucking laundry.”
“Are you serious?” she asks with a hint of laughter in her voice. “Did you go out with him?”
I grimace at the very idea of entertaining that insanity. “Hell to the no I didn’t go out with him. I told him to take his dirty whites somewhere else, after I snatched my flowers out of his hand.” I admire the bouquet of lilies that I had placed on my coffee table last night after sticking them in my one and only vase. “It was a real shame, too. He was crazy hot.”
Mia leans forward with great effort, and smells the flowers. “Well, it’s only been a little over a week since you joined Ignite. You have plenty of time to find the one.”
I thought I’d already found him.
I blink heavily. “A month. That’s all I’m giving this. It’s a shame you’re married to my brother now because come July, I might actually consider switching teams.”
She giggles and shifts on the couch. Holding her hands out to me, she gives me a pleading smile. “Can you help me up? I gotta go pick up Nolan from your parents’ house.”
I stand and grab both her hands, pulling her to her feet. She leans back and places a hand on the small of her back, arching her belly out until it’s touching mine. “Whew. That’s my workout for the day. You know I can barely fit behind the wheel with this thing? Ooooh! Give me!” She grabs my hand and flattens it out against her belly.
And then I feel it. Finally. The quick jabs against my fingers followed by a rolling sensation against my palm.
I lean down and get eye level with her bump. “Hey, Mr. Stubborn. It’s about damn time you let me feel you.” I look up at my smiling best friend. “Still keeping the name a secret?”
She shrugs. “I just thought it’d be more fun this way. But I think Ben blabbed the name to Luke a few weeks ago so if you want to know, I’ll tell you.” I stand and her smile fades to a frown. “Oh, and he’s definitely going to be there on Saturday.”
I sigh in annoyance. “Leave it to my brother to want a co-ed baby shower. What the hell are the guys going to do at that thing anyway? Pass around onesies?”
Mia laughs and grabs her keys off my kitchen counter. “You know how Ben is. He’s insistent on not missing anything involving this baby, and he thinks everyone’s as excited about it as he is.” She turns to me, giving me a weak smile. “Are you going to be okay being around Luke?”
“I’ll be fine as long as I don’t see him getting his dick sucked. That isn’t one of the baby games we’re playing, is it?” I sit on the arm of the couch, clasping my hands in my lap. I wouldn’t put getting freaky with some random chick at a baby shower past Luke. But I swear to Christ, if I see it, I’m punching him right in his jewels.
She twirls her keys on her finger, shaking her head with a grin. “No, smart ass, it isn’t.” Stopping with her hand on the front door, she turns back to me. “His name’s Chase. Chase Kelly.”
The tension leaves my body at the sound of my soon-to-make-an-appearance nephew’s name. I hold a thumbs up out in front of me. “I love it. And I know my brother picked it.” She furrows her brow in confusion, her free hand now rubbing her belly. “Chase Utley. The baseball player. Ben loves the Phillies.”
“Oh my God. No wonder that name came flying out of his mouth when we found out it was a boy,” she says. “Humph. What am I going to do with him?”