Page 44 of Love or Tequila in Unexpected Places

“I’m sorry, I must have heard you wrong. Did you just say that Allison Pink Lockwood, my chronically celibate best friend, had a one-night stand with a stranger and got pregnant?” Amira was dangerously close yelling by the end of her question, and Allison held back a wince, nodding in affirmation.

Amira burst out laughing. And not the pretty laugh—no, this was the obnoxious, almost dangerous kind, the sort that had her slapping her knees until they bruised. Patrons looked their way, possibly wondering what could be so funny that it made the woman beat herself so fiercely.

Allison didn’t know whether to be offended or to join in on the fun, though she had to admit it was laughable how things had unfolded.

Here she was, a woman who had spent years avoiding romantic entanglements, suddenly pregnant from a drunken night with a stranger. It was absurd, really, and as she watched Amira’s contagious laughter, she felt her own lips twitching into a grin.

“Are you serious?” Amira exclaimed once she finally managed to calm down, her excitement palpable.

There were no traces of judgment in her voice or on her face. Allison nodded once more, and her friend squealed, drawing everyone’s attention without a care in the world. In an instant, Amira rushed around the table to envelop Allison in one of her warm, tight hugs.

“I’m so happy for you,Soniye,” she whispered in Allison’s ear and a rush of joy washed over her, bringing tears to her eyes.

“Thank you.”

In that moment, all her worries faded away, replaced by the warmth of Amira’s enthusiasm and the knowledge that they would navigate this journey together.

This is how someone is supposed to react when a loved one is pregnant—celebration, support, and unreserved happiness.

Take notes dad.

“Do you remember who the lucky guy is?” Amira winked as she sat back down, a playful glint in her eye.

Allison felt her cheeks flush, mentally preparing herself for the awkwardness that would no doubt follow her revelation. She cleared her throat nervously, glancing around the café before locking eyes with her friend.

“Do you know Angelo Taylor?” Allison asked, knowing the answer already.

Amira owned her own fashion business and was one of the top designers in Washington, having dressed nearly every celebrity on the West Coast. To stay ahead of the curve, she constantly kept up with the tabloids, always on the lookout for the next hot celebrity to collaborate with.

“Of course! I read a couple of articles about him taking over his… No!” Amira responded, her face dramatically morphing into a picture of sheer terror.

Allison nodded once. “Yup,” she merely said.

“Ali! Oh my God! He’s one of the youngest billionaires in the U.S., not to mention he’s absolutely gorgeous! And you fucked himandgot pregnant with his child?” Amira whistled appreciatively, as if imagining what their night together might have looked like.

Allison couldn’t help but chuckle at Amira’s dramatic reaction, but she quickly sobered up, realizing the weight of the situation. “I know, I know. It’s a lot to unpack.”

“A lot?It’s like opening a can of worms that’s been sitting in a sunlit kitchen for a month!” Amira exclaimed, her hands flying up in exasperation.

Allison felt an intense bout of nausea, bile almost climbing up her throat at the mental picture her friend painted. The thought of a sunlit kitchen filled with rotting worms was enough to makeher stomach turn, and she quickly shook her head, trying to clear the image from her mind.

“Thanks for that vivid imagery, Ami,” she muttered, her voice tinged with amusement despite the queasiness.

“Sorry! But seriously, this is huge!” Amira leaned in closer, her eyes sparkling with curiosity and concern. “What are you going to do? How do you feel about it?”

Allison considered the question for a moment. Howdidshe feel about this?

She felt uncomfortable that the fun night they had over two months ago had carelessly led to a pregnancy. But deep down, she was also in love with her baby and excited to meet her little angel in less than seven months.

In light of recent events, including Angelo’s worried texts—no matter how excessive or ridiculous—she now felt confident she would have the support she needed for the journey ahead. With that realization, Allison made up her mind.

“I feel good, actually. Like I can really do this. And I know Angelo will be right there with me,” she responded, a soft smile spreading across her lips. It was a strange blend of uncertainty and excitement, but it felt right.

I hope my little brain isn’t being delusional.

“Wait, wait, you’ve talked to him?” Amira seemed to be in a state of shock now, her previous excitement still lingering beneath the surface as she literally buzzed in her seat.

“What kind of silent sex are you having, woman?” Allison teased her friend, even though she knew that wasn’t what she meant.

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