Chapter 1

My boyfriend, Jensen Locke, took his first crush on a world tour.

Three months later, he stared at my slightly rounded stomach, his eyes flashing with fury. "Who the hell did you sleep with?"

I didn't answer, but sneaked a glance at his best friend, Yale Lawson.

Jensen froze for a beat, then slammed his fist into Yale's face.

Yale, who had been enjoying the show, got knocked out of his daze. He shook it off and returned the punch, right to Jensen's jaw. "Are you out of your mind? I didn't sleep with her."

They traded punches back and forth.

I calmly stepped out of the private room, slapped my own belly, and in an instant, it flattened.

Who said I was pregnant? I just stuffed myself at dinner.

*****

To keep them from blowing up my phone, I blocked Jensen Locke and Yale Lawson's numbers as I headed home.

I was soaking in the tub, enjoying a beauty soak.

Just as I was about to drift off, a message from an unknown number snapped me awake. It was short and straight to the point: [Open the door in one minute, or I'll tear your crappy door down.]

Jensen was all action, no words. This was classic Yale. Yale was petty and vengeful, always out for payback.

I knew he'd come after me, but I didn't expect him to show up this fast.

With him, threats weren't just for show. He'd actually do it. So I caved.

I: [I'm in the shower. Give me five minutes.]

Yale shot back instantly: [Fine. Five minutes.]

I didn't dare waste a second. I quickly got out of the tub and rinsed off the bubbles.

After drying off, I slipped into a strappy nightgown and went to open the door.

The moment I opened the door, Yale, who was ready to explode, froze for a split second when he caught a glimpse of my exposed skin. Then he snapped, "Can't you put on some real clothes?"

I gave him my most innocent look. "I just finished my shower and was about to go to bed. Isn't this normal for bedtime?"

Yale was momentarily at a loss for words, then quickly changed the subject.

"Why did you tell Jensen I got you pregnant?" he demanded.

I shot back, all wide-eyed innocence, "Did you not?"

Out of all Jensen's friends, Yale and I couldn't stand each other.

The reason was simple. I hated how petty and snarky he was, and he thought I was one of those girls who pretend to be sweet but were actually fake as hell.

While Jensen was off on his world tour with his first love, Yale was hovering around me, pretending he was guarding Jensen from getting played.

If he hadn't been such a nuisance, I wouldn't have turned all my anger into food and eaten myself silly every single meal.

Yale was hopping mad.

"I haven't even laid a finger on you. How could I possibly have gotten you knocked up?" he snapped. "What? Did you get pregnant by telepathy or something?"

I just smiled, keeping quiet. Then, suddenly, I slipped my arms around his neck, my breath soft and teasing against his ear.

"Well, I'm touching you now, aren't I?" I whispered.

Yale froze for a second, then jumped back like he'd been scalded, shaking my hands off. "What are you doing?" he blurted.

I watched his ears turn bright red in a heartbeat, and my grin got bigger. "Teasing you, obviously."

Yale looked like he'd seen a ghost, stammering, "D-Do you even have any shame?"

I laughed and shrugged it off, "You've said that a million times already. Can't you come up with something fresh?"

Yale was so mad that he was practically grinding his teeth. He snapped, "A real man doesn't argue with a woman," then stormed out.

But he hadn't even made it a few steps before he turned right back around.

I raised an eyebrow at him. "Something else you need, Mr. Lawson?"

Yale asked, his tone unreadable, "Are you really pregnant?"

"Can't you see for yourself?" I shot back.

I stuck my belly out and held my breath, making it look as huge as possible.

Yale glanced down, and his face went even darker, like a thundercloud.

"Victoria, you're dead meat," he snapped. "Jensen might not take you seriously, but if you dare cheat on him, your whole family can kiss their fortune goodbye."

I didn't bat an eye. Grinning, I tugged at his collar and asked sweetly, "Can't you just give me a hand?"

When it came to wealth, the Lawson family was neck and neck with the Locke family.

But in terms of connections, the Lawson family definitely had the upper hand.

Yale actually laughed in disbelief, tilting my chin and giving me a once-over.

"Why the hell should I help you? I haven't even settled the score with you for framing me yet," he snapped.

I shamelessly replied, "Come on, it's obvious I'm special to you."

Yale burst out laughing even louder. "What makes you think you're special to me?" he shot back.

I said, totally serious, "You keep your eyes on me all the time. Isn't that because I'm special to you?"

Yale snapped, "I only mess with you because you drive me nuts, alright?"

I didn't even flinch. "But do you go after anyone else the way you go after me?"

Yale was totally stumped.

I grinned smugly, "And you still say I'm not special?"

Yale's face went from pale to livid, looking like he was about to blow a gasket.

Just to mess with him even more, I ran my thumb lightly over his lips, slow and flirty.

"Mr. Lawson, maybe you're in love with me and don't even know it," I teased.

Yale's face turned bright red in a flash, totally flustered and pissed off. He shoved my hand away, hard.

"Jensen won't let you get away with this," Yale snapped. He tossed out that warning for Jensen, then left in a hurry, looking pretty rattled.

Honestly, he looked like he was fleeing the scene.

I crossed my arms, lips curled into a cold, mocking smile. What an annoying guy.