Page 27 of Baller's Surprise Baby

“Ah! Found them! Do you need anything from the store while I’m out?” I stop to think. Prenatal vitamins? Orange juice? I’m not really sure, so I just shake my head.

“No, thanks. I’m all set for now.” I watch her go, and for the first time in the week that I’ve known about the pregnancy I feel like I want to tell someone. It’s been seven days. Seven days of shock and disbelief, more than a little bit of denial. But as I thought back on the amount of time I spent sick to my stomach or dealing with acid reflux recently, I almost wonder how I didn’t figure it out before.

But he had a condom! I don’t get it. I guess these things just happen sometimes. I wouldn’t know, because it’s never happened to me before. I place my hands on my stomach, trying to feel something, but right now I feel normal. I went to the store and took two more pregnancy tests at home after I got the call from the nurse, and they both turned out positive. Then I chickened out and postponed my dinner with Ryder, because what the hell am I going to say to him?

I go back to tidying my home office once Aunt Sharon leaves. We’re living in a three-bedroom mobile home, so my aunt has the master bedroom and I get the two little ones. It’s perfect for my new job, and I’m glad I won’t have to sit at the kitchen table while I work. It’s always nice to have a space that’s just for work and nothing else. Next week I’ll be getting my ID badge and other work-related items mailed to me, and then I’ll be added into the general onboarding coursework and paired with a “buddy.” I can’t wait. At least I’ve got that going for me, because my personal life is a mess.

An hour later, I hear a knock at the door and jog to the entryway to let Rachel in. She sashays past me with her favorite wine and a small tote bag, stylish and perfect as ever.

“Hey! It’s date night!” she calls out, arms raised. I roll my eyes and relax into her embrace when she goes in for a giant hug.

“Yeah, date night with your brother.”

“Barf! Let’s forget that part of it, for my sake.” She makes a face, and I laugh as I take the bottle from her and place it on the counter. She’s in town for a long weekend and has come over to do a girls’ pre-party like we used to do when we were in college back in LA.

“Have you decided what you’re wearing?” She grabs a pair of wine glasses and then searches the drawers until I pull out our wine bottle opener and hand it over, making a mental note to stick with water.

“No…I was kind of thinking of my little black dress.”

“Which one?” She glances my way with lips the perfect shade of red, hair the perfect bouncy texture, and I smile at the sight. She’s gorgeous. It’s pretty fun being besties with a model.

We head to the closet and do the run-through of accessories as she pulls out even more options from her bag, everything from arm bangles to new makeup products and hair extensions.

We finally settle for a deep aubergine dress that has a sparkly belt buckle sown in a high waist while the rest of the dress swoops down in folds around my legs with an overlap in the front that functions as a bit of a split when I walk. The top is fitted and sleeveless, while the skirt rests a couple inches above my knees. It’s form-fitting and sexy on the elegant side, just short of slutty. So basically, it’s perfect.

I let Rachel do my makeup and tell me about all her latest news from LA. We’re only two weeks away from our college roommate’s wedding, so we chat wedding business most of the evening until it’s almost time for me to go. With a glance out the window, I nervously smooth my dress down.

“So, you and Ryder, huh?” She stares at me with eyes that basically say yikes. And I smirk.

“Tell me about it.” I rejoin. “I did not see this coming, and if I’m perfectly honest I’m not too sure where it’s going.”

“Really? What happened, exactly? I mean you two have known each other forever…so something changed. I’m guessing maybe while you worked together last fall?” I stare at her, not sure where to start.

“Well…yeah. I mean, we definitely had more time together during the photo shoots, but it was actually a pretty rocky start.” I twirl one of the dangly earrings from her bag in my hand.

“Long story short, we had a few false starts, and here we are ready to have dinner and see what happens.”

“Hmm.” Rachel studies me, and I feel my cheeks pinken. “Why do I feel like there’s a bigger story here?” she asks.

Another glance out the window shows the driver has arrived. Normally I would take an Uber, but Ryder insisted on sending a private car for me instead. I take a deep breath, check my bag and my attire, and grab my cream-colored peacoat before turning back to Rachel.

“All set?” she asks. “You look gorgeous. I hate to say it, because it’s Ryder we’re talking about, but he won’t know what hit him. The man’s a goner.”

I smile and suddenly feel tears pricking at the back of my eyes.

“Oh my God, Ev.” Rachel seems to mistake my emotion for some kind of insecurity, because she wraps me up in her arms and whispers, “You know you’re the most gorgeous, talented, smart and caring woman I know, right?”I nod my head, and squeak out my words. “Yes, I know.”

“Okay, then no more tears. You’ll ruin your makeup.” I huff a laugh and feel a mountain of love welling up inside me. I have to say this before I chicken out, but I really don’t know how. Taking her hands, my voice comes out in barely a whisper.

“Rachel…I’m pregnant.”

20

Ryder

Iglance at my phone nervously and roll my shoulders in an effort to loosen up. Sporting one of my best suits, I’m feeling ridiculously fancy in my own home, and all around me the apartment is literally sparkling. I’ve had cleaners and touch up crews and laundry service and new plants installed, virtually every last-minute improvement I could think of in an effort to set the mood for tonight, including having the small replica waterfall just inside my foyer serviced and the pond at the bottom filled with new goldfish. It’s a copy of the larger fountain downstairs in the lobby and it gives the whole apartment an exotic feel.

I’ve known Everly for a long time, but the truth is that I’ve never had a romantic interest that I’d also consider a friend, and I’m feeling a little off my game. Thankfully, one thing I’ve got is charm. And I’m about to work some magic tonight.

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