Page 20 of Always on My Mind

“Well. . . they’re our couple friends.”

Tessa swallowed down the sting of that by cutting her gaze to her now empty coffee cup. So much for things were back to normal.

“I see,” she said.

“I’d have invited you, Tess, but I don’t want you to feel like the odd one out or anything. And sometimes it’s nice to be around people who understand marriage. It’s different from dating, y’know. Plus, they get the whole soulmate thing, and—”

“No, I get it,” Tessa cut her off.

“I didn’t know you understood too.”

“I haven’t had the chance to tell you.”

Billie chewed her bottom lip. “I suppose I had that coming. I’m sorry, Tess. I haven’t been a proper friend lately, have I?”

“You have today,” Tessa said, wanting to cut her some slack. She never wanted Billie to feel bad about finding her partner and settling down, she just wanted her friend every once in a while. “I don’t begrudge you your happiness, Bills.”

“I’ll do better going forward, I swear,” Billie said, taking Tessa’s hand.

“I’ll hold you to it.”

They smiled at each other for a moment before Billie’s cell phone rang from inside her pocket. She stole a glance at the screen and her brow furrowed.

“I better answer, it’s my doctor,” she said.

“Doctor? Are you ill?”

“I’ll explain later. One moment.”

She got to her feet and headed back toward her office, dropping her coffee cup on the kitchen island before she swept out of the room. Tessa glanced around the grand home, decorated with all things that represented Billie and Ethan. Unable to keep still, and in need of a tad more caffeine, Tessa stood up and padded over to the percolator and grasped the handle to pour herself another cup.

As she reached for the sugar bowl, a tri-fold picture frame caught her eye. Each one contained a photo of Billie and Tessa. One from their uni days, one of them in the kitchen the day they moved into the flat, and one of them together on Billie’s wedding day, beaming at each other as they embraced. Tessa’s mouth kicked up into a half-smile. Billie still had pieces of her here. She had nothing to worry about.

The sound of heels clicking against hardwood made Tessa turn around, only to find herself staring at an ashen-faced, teary-eyed Billie. Tessa set her coffee down and rushed over to her friend, putting her hands on Billie’s shoulders.

“Bills? Everything alright with you? Has Ethan been hurt?”

Billie shook her head, squeezing her eyes shut as her brown curls bounced with the motion.

“What is it, then?” Tessa asked.

Billie opened her eyes and held Tessa’s gaze. A smile slowly claimed her lips. “I. . . I’m pregnant.”

Tessa blinked and drew back, almost as if Billie had swung at her. “With a wain?”

“No, we’re having chipmunks—yes, with a baby!” Billie laughed.

Tessa chuckled too. “Are you. . . happy about it?”

“I. . . ” Billie’s smile widened and her eyes misted over. “Yes, actually, I am.”

“It’s not too soon? I thought you weren’t even sure you wanted kids.”

“I wasn’t sure, and Ethan and I certainly weren’t trying. But thinking about a family, and a family with this man that I love more than I thought I was capable of. . . it makes me excited.”

The grin on her face and the sparkle in her eyes said it all. Tessa swallowed her own mixed feelings, which were swirling around inside her chest like a tornado, and yanked her friend back into the hug. Not unlike the one they were sharing in the wedding picture. She squeezed Billie tight, hoping to convey that at least some of those feelings were good ones. Thrilled ones, even. Even if part of her heart sank at the knowledge that a baby meant there was no way Billie would be able to keep her promise of spending more time with Tessa.

“Oh, Bills. I’m so happy for you.”

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