Page 83 of Claimed by my Bestie's Dad

Her shoulders relax, and she nods. “Thank you. I just… I need a little more time to figure this out. Telling you was hard enough. I don’t know if it will be easier or harder to tell her, but I’m thinking harder.”

“Take all the time you need. We’ll do this at your pace. No pressure.”

She gives me a grateful look, leaning against me again. “I don’t know what I did to deserve you.”

I chuckle, kissing the top of her head. “It’s the other way around. So…do you need to make a doctor’s appointment? I’m not sure how much I trust those little at-home pregnancy tests.”

“I made an appointment, but I have to wait two more weeks for it.”

“Tell me when it is, and I’ll be there.”

We continue to sit on the beach for a while until the wind gets too biting. We both stand up, and I walk Madison back to my car, my arm around her shoulders. She glances around the parking lot, and I realize what she’s doing. She’s looking for her friends or anyone who might know either of us.

The last thing she wants is for someone to start spreading rumors to Aurora. I don’t want that either. I don’t want to have to hide how I feel about Madison. We may have figured out what we want for our future, but our battle is not over.

Not by a long shot.

40

MADISON

The dayof Aurora’s Christmas party has arrived.

For all the fanfare it’s receiving, you would think it was Christmas itself and that Santa Claus had been deemed real after all. With everything going on in my life and the awkwardness between my friends and me recently, I don’t really want to go.

But Aurora is my friend. And I don’t want to start trouble.

When I show up, it’s clear that I’m one of the first guests.

Aurora rushes over to greet me, a bright smile lighting up her face. She’s dressed in a red sweater and black leggings, her hair pinned up in a messy bun with little gold ornaments tangled in it. Typical Aurora, always a little extra. But it suits her, and she looks genuinely happy.

“Madison! You made it!” She throws her arms around me in a quick hug before pulling back, her eyes scanning my outfit. “Cute dress! Very festive!”

I smile, though I’m too self-conscious of my stomach. I know I’m not showing yet, but I’m worried that she’ll guess anyway. Her finding out before I’m ready is worse thanhaving to tell her myself. “Thanks. You’ve outdone yourself with the decorations, as usual. Sorry I wasn’t able to help more.”

She grins proudly. “They turned out great. I wanted the whole place to look like a Christmas Wonderland, and it does. Look at the centerpiece.” She guides me into the living room where I admire the Christmas tree.

I ooh and aah as Zoe comes over and hugs me. There are questions in her eyes, but with Aurora listening, I know she won’t ask them right now.

Mia is setting a couple of boxes under the tree for our game later. I wave at her. Stella, as usual, is a little late.

Once I’ve sufficiently admired the decorations, Aurora motions me toward the kitchen. “I could use your help in the kitchen. We’ve got a cheese board situation that needs your artistic touch.”

I follow her, grateful for the distraction. As soon as we get to the kitchen, I busy myself with slicing up fruit and arranging crackers while Aurora chats about her job. It feels good to just focus on something mindless for a change. And with the music Zoe has tuned into playing in the background, it almost feels like I might have a little bit of holiday spirit after all.

“Thanks, I’ll set this out. People are starting to arrive, so don’t hide in the kitchen the whole time.” Aurora takes the tray to the dining room where other treats are laid out.

But I take a minute to myself before diving into the living room where people are talking excitedly. Zoe weaves her way over to me.

“Doing okay, my friend?”

“Great. Thanks.”

“Anything you need to talk about?”

“No…everything’s great.”

I can tell Zoe wants to ask something else, but then, Stella shows up with a friend. Aurora makes a big deal over them, and I sidle up next to Mia.

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