INTOXICATED, Monica Murphy's new novel, excerpt

1. EXCERPT:
I’m going to have a baby,” Ivy declares as she stops
directly in front of me. Well, her belly stopped directly in
front of me, the rest of her soon follows.
Yes, indeed, my wife is definitely going to have a baby.
Soon.
I’m getting ready—staring at the mirror as I mess with
my tie, making sure it’s perfect—when she approaches
me. I shoot her a grin, feeling good, feeling on top of my game. Life couldn’t
get any better, you know? We’re celebrating today and with good reason.
“I know, sexy mama.” I turn away from the mirror and wink at her. “Trust me, I
haven’t forgotten that I’m the one who knocked you up.”
She stares at me, no reaction to my wink or my words. She usually slaps my
ass and kisses me. Says something sarcastic at the very least. But I’m getting
nothing. And it’s kind of disconcerting. “Archer. I’m dead serious. I’m going to
have the baby.”
“I know, babe. And I can’t freaking wait.” I study her, noticing that she looks a
little pale and her pupils are dilated. Hmm. “You feeling okay?”
Rolling her eyes, she rests her hand on top of her protruding stomach, rubbing
it absently. Then not so absently. As in, she’s clutching her belly like she’s in
pain. “I’m in—” She sucks in a harsh breath, holding it for a few seconds. “—
labor, damn it.”