Patrice would do anything for her pregnant friend, Cathy, even if “anything” includes running to the convenience store on a daily basis to indulge her cravings. On one of her excursions, Patrice meets Joey Sousa, the cashier at the store. Their attraction is undeniable, but awkward: he thinks she’s pregnant, she thinks he’s dating someone else. Will the misunderstandings keep them apart, or will their chance meeting give birth to happy ever after?

 

“Patrice,” Cathy said around a bite of Funky Monkey ice cream. “I need cheese puffs.”

Patrice jabbed at her friend’s enormous tummy, which peeked out from beneath her too tight maternity shirt. “I’m not so sure that’s a wise decision. You can’t even fit into your fat clothes.”

“Hey, I ate my broccoli at dinner. Junior wants cheese puffs.” She set the bowl of ice cream down and rubbed a small lump that jutted out of her abdomen.

A heel? An elbow? Patrice reached over to join in the fun, poking at the protrusion. “Why can’t Junior want the junk food we already have? This is not a good start to your relationship with your child. You let that baby boss you around.” Whatever body part it was gave her palm a thump so hard, her hand bounced off.

“No.” Cathy laughed. “I let this baby boss you around!”

After the first fiasco at the convenience store, Patrice always dressed a little better before visiting. No more wrinkled sweats and smeared makeup when she saw Mister-Good-Looking Clerk-Who-Didn’t-Wear-A-Name-Tag. For almost three weeks, she’d been visiting this store, but from the looks of Cathy’s enormous abdomen, those visits would be ending soon.

It was time to make her move.