Page 85 of Forgot to Tell You Something

19

Tally

It’s been one hell of a morning, and I’ve yet to have coffee.

My father had another rough night. I received the message first thing, minutes after Owen left. I was tempted to call and beg him to come with me, but he has a business lunch that I don’t want to interrupt. So, I dial my ride or die, and as always, Stefani is by my side within the hour.

Thankfully, my father has rallied by the time we arrive, so we enjoy a quick visit and then head for a late breakfast. My stomach isn’t on board with this decision, but my brain convinces the other organ that eating is a necessity and not a luxury.

“Are you going to look at it or eat it?” Stefani asks, pointing her fork toward my plate.

“I’m working on it.”

“You know you’re not sick, right?”

“There is the possibility that it’s a stomach virus.” I stare at my omelet in a futile attempt to rein in my swirling gut.

“Unlikely, considering no one else has this pernicious virus.” Stefani shoots me a knowing glance. That’s the third one since the start of breakfast. “What does Owen say?”

“About a stomach virus?” At her glare, I release a resigned huff. “I haven’t told him. I don’t know if there’s anythingtotell him.”

“Lu, you’re going to have to get a test. Eventually, the world will know if you’re pregnant. You can’t hide eight months of baby.”

“Sure you can. Look at some of the people on Jerry Springer—went to the bathroom, popped out a kid.”

“I wouldn’t use that as my control group.”

She’s right. I know she’s right. But I’m also scared shitless. I’ve known Owen for two months, and even though our relationship is back on track, I doubt he planned on becoming a father when he moved to Florida.

“I think he’ll be fine with the news. Honestly, give the guy a little credit.”

I narrow my gaze at my friend. “This is the same man who lied about being a doctor. I’m taking it slowly this time.”

Stefani nods, but she knows it’s total crap. With Owen, I lack willpower. Of any variety. He’s also beseeching me to move into his oceanfront condo. I don’t know how many more times I can use Hecate as an excuse, particularly when he’s got the rooftop garden all set up for her arrival. The cat is going to have such a life—totally deserved, of course.

“Does that mean you’ve shelved the idea of moving in with Owen? No offense, Lu, your landlord is lovely, but I’m certain Owen’s digs are far superior.”

“I can’t just up and leave Mrs. Smalls. She counts on my rent money. My lease is up in a month, so I figured I’ll discuss it with her, and then move in with Owen…if we haven’t killed each other first.”

It’s a good plan. A solid, well-thought-out plan. Owen and I rushed headlong into loving each other and look where that got us. Correction. Look where that got me.

Stefani drops some cash on the table before grabbing my hand and hustling me back to her SUV. “Let’s get this over with. I need to know if you can go out drinking tonight.”

I stop dead in my tracks, digging in my heels like a mountain goat. “What are you talking about?”

“Don’t be dense. You know what I mean.”

“I’m not ready yet.”

She turns to me, grasping my shoulders. “My sweet friend, no one is ever ready for a baby. But I guarantee you will be the coolest mother on the block.”

“I’ll be the most single mother on the block,” I mutter, climbing into the passenger seat, my shoulders hunched.

“No, you won’t. That hot hunk of a doctor is going to put a ring on it so fast, your head will spin.”

I grunt in response. It’s the best comeback I’ve got at the moment.

I trudge through the drugstore, spending almost a hundred bucks on a basketful of tests. I don’t think I have that much urine in my damn body.

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