Page 63 of Accidental Baby Daddy

“Oh no,” she gasped. “Well, you stay at home and get better, you hear me? I’ll ask Oliver to check on you.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

“He won’t mind one bit. I’ll have him bring you some of my chicken noodle soup. It’s got ginger in it. Good for the stomach.”

I smiled, thinking she was making too much of a fuss but still grateful, nonetheless. “Thank you, Agnes.”

“You’re welcome, honey.”

I threw up again as soon as I hung up. I was dry heaving at the end of it and I felt awful. Yet somehow I managed to make my way into the kitchen to make some dry toast.Oliver showed up a half hour later and it was all I could do to answer the door.

“What the hell did you eat so I can stay away from it?” Oliver asked, and I chuckled.

Truth be told, I didn’t remember eating much other than a couple of granola bars yesterday, and those had never given me stomach trouble before. Maybe I picked up a virus working at the store or at the bar. Being around people would always end up making you sick, my mom used to say.

“I’m not sure.”

“My grandmother sent over her chicken noodle soup. It’s got ginger?—”

“Good for the stomach,” I finished, chuckling. “Thanks. I’ll have to put it in the fridge for now. I’ll try to eat a little later.”

He put it away for me, concern on his face when he walked back into the living room.

“Are you sure you’re all right? Do you think this is just from the stress?”

“It might be,” I admitted. My stomach was often off when something very stressful happened, so it made sense.

“I’ll be watching out for you,” he promised, kissing my temple. “I don’t want you to worry about anything.”

“I’ll try not to,” I murmured.

After Oliver left, I remembered that I had lunch plans with Gillian. I called her.

“Hello?”

“Gilly, I’m sorry. I’m going to have to postpone lunch,” I said hoarsely.

“Oh, no, you sound like hell. Are you sick?”

“Something is off with my stomach,” I admitted. “It’s been a rough night.”

“I’m coming over rightnow.”

“Gillian, you don’t have to—” I said weakly, but she had already hung up.

I laid on the couch for another half an hour before she showed up. When I heard her tap on the door, I called out weakly for her to come in.

She hurried inside, holding a bag full of saltine crackers and Gatorade. I smiled at her gratefully.

“Thank you for coming over to take care of me.”

“Of course. What are sisters for?” She paused. “Besides, I brought you something that might be useful.”

She took a box out of the bag, and I blinked at her.

“A pregnancy test?”

Gillian shrugged. “You never know. I keep a few on hand just to be sure. It could be what’s causing this sudden onset of nausea.”

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