Page 63 of Nanny For My Brother's Best Friend

I pride myself on my discipline in life. I take vitamins at the same time every morning and pills at the same time every night. It’s a control thing with me.

Wait. Did I skip them a couple of times before falling asleep on the couch with Lola? That wouldn’t cause pregnancy after being on them for so long. I added them to my morning vitamins.

“Nothing is like clockwork. Have you been nauseous?”

“Mildly when I make certain things, but not so much that it prevents me from cooking. I just ignore it.”

“Those are three gigantic signs, Delilah. I think you need to face the music and take a test.”

“No. I can’t. It can’t work in real life.”

“You can handle that when you know the truth. Can you get away for a while and I’ll do it with you? I think it can be an emotional moment and Lola shouldn’t be around. She really is a smart kid.”

“I’ll see what I can do. Brynn was talking about some outing she wanted to plan, so I’ll get that rolling. I guess you’re right.”

“Call me when you know more, but stay calm. It might not be that at all. You just need to know for sure.”

Brynn is busy with school and can’t do movies and ice cream until the end of the week. I play it casually and tell her I’m meeting my best friend for dinner, but inside, my stomach is in knots.

It’s harder when I talk to Miles, but I keep that brief. He’s on a road trip, so it’s mainly his chats with Lola, but I chime in here and there to say hi. He’s expressed concern about how often I’m sleeping, and I brush it aside.

I throw it back and tell him he needs to focus on his job. He mentioned his captain pulled him aside to tell him as much, and I agreed. Everything is fine here, and Lola is happy.

I know he wants more when he sends texts late at night for both of us. I’m awake sometimes but ignore them because here in his bed, I am vulnerable. I started sleeping in his room after one of our phone sex chats for atmosphere, but now I love smelling him all around me. Miles has this outdoor scent about him mixed with some mint; I assume he uses a body wash, but it’s also just him.

I’d know if he walked into a room behind me from that scent, and that’s not a good thing.

Thursday comes, and Brynn picks Lola up for a few hours, even suggesting a sleepover. I agree, since I might need a night to recover, and we pack a small bag before I wave them off.

I leave to go to Alli’s small house, stopping at a store along the way. I pick one that’s not in the center of town and more for a particular neighborhood on the outskirts, but they have what I need, and Alli has snacks at her place. There’s wine if I’m allowed to drink and if this turns out in my favor, I will be celebrating.

It’s embarrassing purchasing pregnancy tests even if we’re all strangers. I feel like I am throwing my personal life on that belt for the cashier to judge. I am obviously young and there’s no ring on my finger, but that means nothing. I could be in a serious relationship without being marked.

I’m not, though. I am sleeping with my boss who is my brother’s best friend.

When I get to Alli’s house, she lets me in and hugs me tight. I drop the bag to the floor and cry, since it’s too hard to hold it in.

“It’s okay. We’re doing this together, Del. I am here for you, no matter what.”

We’ve talked a lot since I admitted my tryst with Miles to Alli, and I’ve told her more about it. It feels surprisingly good to talk to someone else and let everything out, even though she’s honest in her responses.

Alli has been watching games a little closer and noticing how Miles is playing with some distraction. She isn’t a big fan of any sport, but watches a few games and you can see things.

She wonders if he thinks I’m pulling away, meaning he has feelings for me we haven’t discussed yet. Alli accuses me outright of having them for Miles and hell, I can’t lie to her.

“What do we have here?”

Alli opens the bag and pulls the four boxes out, examining each one.

“I wanted to be sure and maybe this will help? I don’t know a damn thing about these tests.”

“They are fancy. Did you drink any water?”

“On the way.”

“I have more. You’re doing all of these.”

I take the bottle she offers me and take a large drink as we sit on the couch in the cozy living room. I should finish this to ensure I’ll be able to use all four of them, even if I don’t want to.

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