Page 42 of It's Always Us

“And now you’re sick?” She joins me at the table, eyeing me questioningly.

I shrug. “I haven’t been sleeping well, and I think it’s finally caught up with me.”

“Huh.” She rests her chin in her hand.

“What?” I cross my arms over my stomach, needing her not to assess me.

“Can I be nosy for a minute?”

My brows pinch together because that’s a loaded question. “Maybe.”

“How long have you not been feeling well?”

“Ok. Nurse Kris, I don’t need you to Google some crazy diagnosis.”

She laughs. “Humor me.” I roll my eyes, resting back in the chair. “Slade said you’ve looked like shit for a while.”

“Wow. That’s kind. Remind me to thank him.” She squints her eyes. My head falls to the side, unimpressed. “What?”

“Trouble sleeping, persistent nausea, tired, high emotions . . . ”

“I’m not emotional.”Well, not in front of anyone.

She laughs. “Look, I’m going to ask a question you don’t have to answer.”

I huff, crossing my arms over my chest.

“Is there any possible way you’re . . . pregnant?” Half of her face scrunches as she says that last word, almost wincing.

I sit dumbfounded by her question.Pregnant?I almost laugh. Almost, but then the word hits me again.Pregnant. A baby. Could I be . . . pregnant?

I don’t know what Krissy is doing or thinking or possibly saying because everything around me stops and fades to nothing while I sort through a self-evaluation.

I’m on birth control. I may have missed some pills here and there, but did I forget around when Mark and I . . .

Last period? Hmmm. Unknown.

Symptoms? Everything Krissy listed. Plus, my jeans have felt a bit tight.

Am I pregnant . . . with a baby? No way.

I suddenly hear my name and snap to.

“Alex.”

“Huh?”

“Did you hear anything I said?” Krissy is staring at me, wide-eyed. “I didn’t mean to offend you or cross a line. I . . . It’s just your symptoms seem a little suspicious. It could be the flu. I know this is none of my business—”

I hold up my hand, not having a clue what to say, while trying to gather my thoughts about what I need to do to get an answer immediately.Is it even possible I’m pregnant?“It’s fine, really.” My mind moves 100 mph, thinking through the possibility and needing to be sure.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything.” She bites her lip. “Slade is going to kill me.”

I stop her right there. “You’re not telling him you asked me that. I’m calling patient confidentiality or whatever. The guys don’t need to know about this.”

She frowns. “Ok. I’m sorry. I’m ridiculous sometimes, but see so many women . . . ”

I hear nothing but my own internal dialog that’s rambling nonsense.It’s been how many weeks since Vegas?I grab my phone, tapping on the calendar and counting.One, two, . . .Almost nine weeks. I press my fingers to my forehead. It’s been nine weeks.Ok. Just breathe.

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