My husband looks scrumdiddlyumptious in a pair of tailored jeans and a red and navy flannel. He leaves it untucked, with the top few buttons open and his signature brown leather jacket over the top. A pair of square toe boots completes the effortless country boy image he’s shooting for.

I opt for a white, tiered minidress, belted just above the belly with brown leather to match my knee-high boots. A coordinating cropped denim jacket completes my outfit. I went full glam with the makeup and styled my hair in big barrel curls because I know how much Lyle loves it when I wear it down.

After adding a pair of large gold hoops to my ears and a few bangles on my wrist, I’m ready to roll

“Look at you.” Lyle slowly peruses my body when I step out of the bathroom. “You’re gorgeous.”

“Why, thank you, hunky.” I throw my arms around him, and he buries his lips in the spot between my neck and shoulder. It’s his go-to spot when I’m all made up and drives me absolutely wild. “If you don’t stop that,” I say, squirming in his hold, “we’re gonna be late.”

He releases me from his clutches then slaps a hand to my ass. “Rain check?”

“Of course.” I flutter my sooty lashes before grabbing my purse from the foot of the bed and linking my arm through his. “Let’s go party.”

Frank stops right in front of Booze & Bad Decisions to let us out, handing us off to Reginald before heading around back to park the car. The entrance is roped off, with two beefy bouncers standing guard. It’s all fancy and official.

They’re in the midst of turning a group of women away as we approach.

Silly girls. The sign clearly says, “Soft opening, entry permitted by invitation only.”

Lyle pauses for a minute to check in with his new employees to see how things are going before we continue into the club.

I nearly pee my panties when we walk into a room filled with people shouting and shaking noisemakers. A cascade of black and gold confetti rains down on us from the second-floor balcony. “What’s happening?”

“No, they didn’t.” Laughing, Lyle taps my shoulder and points to the huge banner at the top of the bar that says “Booze + Bad Decisions = Baby.” “This is awesome.”

“We decided to make the soft opening double as you and Lyle’s baby shower.” Raven scampers over in her heels to give me a hug. “Believe it or not, Anika planned the whole thing.”

“Really?” I say, my eyes combing the room until they land on hers. “You would organize my baby shower in a bar!” I shout, feigning offense.

She shrugs and laughs. Our relationship is slowly becoming less strained.

“Yeah,” Aiden says, coming out of the woodwork. “We’re real classy around here, sweet cheeks. Get used to it.”