Page 16 of Agony of Our Regret

I lifted a brow. “Is that actually something you want?”

She shrugged. “It wasn’t until now.”

“I’m sure we could manage something.” I giggled and checked our shared email account for the project. No new messages. We could be done and head back to our offices, but time alone was scarce despite working in the same building. “I need to tell you something.”

I mentioned to Gavin and Luca that I wanted to tell her, and they supported me. Now that their parents knew, news was bound to spread, and I wanted her to hear it from me.

“Oh, something juicy?” She closed her laptop and rested her chin on her hands, leaning toward me.

“I’m pregnant,” I blurted without preamble.

She stared back at me for a moment before jumping up and squealing while rounding the table to pull me into a hug. “No way! I’m so happy for you!”

I squeezed her for a little too long before releasing her and falling back into my seat.

Her shoulders shimmied as she scooted another chair closer. “Tell me everything.”

I did—from finding out in the hospital to the parents figuring it out and trapping us in my office.

“They did not! That’s not okay. You can’t force someone to tell you anything before they’re ready.”

I appreciated her outrage. “It wasn’t okay, but I understood. Wes thought it might be the thing to bring Noah home.”

She slowly inhaled and finally nodded. “Yeah, I can see how that might drive him to push more than he should have, but still.”

“It’s not like I could keep it from them for much longer.”

She rolled her eyes. “They should have waited even if they had a hunch.”

“I’d be upset if I didn’t know they came from a good place. I think Tessa was suspicious but also worried it was something else. Chris thought something was still wrong from the accident.”

She rocked her head from side to side. “I could see that.”

“I do feel bad they know, and my dad doesn’t.”

She cringed. “How do you think he’ll take it?”

“I’m not sure. I can’t picture it.” I tried not to think about it too much either. “I’m sure he’s not expecting the news, but I’m an adult and have an incredible support system.”

“That you do.” She beamed. “This is going to be the most loved baby in the world.”

I put my hand over my stomach. “That’s for sure.”

“Plus, you have a great job and multiple homes. Providing for it isn’t an issue.”

“We need another word besides it.” I scrunched my nose.

She let out a laugh. “Sorry. Do you know what you’re having?”

“Not yet.”

She seemed to think. “Do you have an app that tells you what fruit the baby is this week?”

I laughed. “No. Is that a real thing?”

“Sure is.” She reached for my phone, tapped away, and glanced up a minute later. “What week are you at?”

“I think twelve, maybe thirteen.” I needed to get into an OB soon now that I was mostly recovered.

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