Page 115 of Forgot to Tell You Something

Owen’s hands grip me tighter, and I meet his gaze.

Poker face, cooperate. Just this once.

“I’ll take you home.”

“I’m heading back to work,” I argue, but Owen waves me off.

“You’re done for today. Let’s go.”

I want to fight him on the decision, but employee health will send me home, regardless. Might as well save them the trouble. With a grumble, I gather my belongings and shoot him a mock glare. “I can drive myself. You don’t have to take me home.”

Those gray eyes focus on me with laser intensity. “Oh, yes, I do. I have to ensure that you and yourbatterymake it home safe.”

26

Tally

“Forget it, I’m not going.”

I hope that my firm statement will suffice, that Stefani will agree wholeheartedly, and we can spend the evening eating ice cream from the carton and watching Bridget Jones.

It doesn’t.

“Lu, you have to go. You gave your word.”

I run my hands through my hair, giving it a sharp yank. “I shouldn’t be held accountable for anything I said yesterday. I was injured, out of my mind. It shouldn’t count.”

“Nice try. You’re going.” She pulls a tea-length dress from the back of my closet. “This is beautiful.”

“It’s a black-tie affair.”

Stefani pushes the gown into my hands. “This is more than sufficient. Trust me. Try it on.”

With a resigned sigh, I strip down and pull the dress on. My breasts are already bigger, pushing up out of the dress, and my flat stomach is a bit more rounded than before. “I can’t wear this,” I gripe, pivoting in front of the mirror.

“Why not? You look gorgeous.” Stefani walks behind me, giving my shoulders a squeeze.

“My boobs don’t fit, and Nugget is showing.”

“That’s the first time I’ve ever heard a woman complain about too much cleavage.”

“I’m serious.” I throw my hands up in the air, flopping onto the bed. “This is a nightmare. If I go like this, there’s no way Owen will not know I’m pregnant.”

“Lu, he already knows.”

I know she’s right, and I’ve made a deal with myself. Should Owen ask, I’ll spill the beans. I just hope it isn’t tonight, because this evening is already going to be fodder for one of Dante’s plays.

“I don’t want to go.” Now I’m whining. Perhaps if I whine enough, even throwing in a tantrum for good measure, my friend will let me slide.

My friend is not a very nice person today. “Part of being an adult is doing things we don’t want to do. I know you hate being around Charlotte, and I get that, Lu. But this is important for our unit. Our hospital. Our patients.”

I gape at Stefani’s statements. “You are the worst! Guilting me into attendance as if everything hinges on my presence at the dinner.”

“Maybe I’ll meet you at Wicked Chuck’s later.”

I smile, wagging my finger at her. “Someone has it bad for Dan.”

“He went on a date the other night,” Stefani grumbles, but I see the anxiety passing over her face.

---