Page 42 of Last Minute Fiancé

We went to pull them out, and the scent of yummy Italian food and mushrooms filled my nostrils.

“Okay I’m going to eat this entire tray of mushrooms,” Paisley said with a laugh, and I waved her off.

“No, mine. All mine.”

“Excuse me, the pregnant woman should be able to get to her food first.”

I nearly opened my mouth to say of course that was why I was standing there, and then I realized exactly what Devney had said.

The pregnant woman.

But she didn’t know it was me.

I turned to her, eyes wide as Paisley stood next to her, also staring at Devney, but Paisley’s eyes were filling with tears, and the other woman put her hand over her chest, a smile playing across her face.

“Devney?” she asked, that smile growing.

I just stood there blinking, trying to come to terms with what had just happened.

Because there was no way Devney had just said she was pregnant, not today. Today was supposed to be the day I announced I was pregnant.

There was no way that Devney and I would be pregnant at the exact same time. Fate wouldn’t be that ridiculous. Then again, maybe fate was exactly that ridiculous.

“You’re pregnant?” I asked, my voice slow, unsure.

It wasn’t as if I was upset. No, far from it. I just felt confused. And anxious, and happy. And sad. Everything all at once.

Because if Devney was pregnant, that meant our babies would be growing up together. They would be cousins, and they would be family.

And one of my best friends would be going through this pregnancy alongside me.

Even though she was married and happy and probably either planning or expecting something like this with her husband.

When I was the exact opposite.

I did all this thinking in the matter of milliseconds, when Devney put her hands in front of her, and squealed.

“I didn’t know how to tell you, so I figured I’d do it with a joke. But yes I’m pregnant. And I want those mushrooms.”

“Oh my God. You’re pregnant? This is amazing. Congratulations to you and Heath.” Paisley threw her arms around Devney and held her tight, while I stood there, a genuine smile on my face, but feeling two steps behind.

Because I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to do now.

Of course, Paisley kept talking, giving me a moment to catch up with the rest of reality.

“Okay. When is the due date? How far along are you? And yes I realize that they’re similar questions, but I literally cannot do baby math. So tell me everything. Oh, I know we had been talking about expanding the daycare center within the company, but we’re going to have to do it now. There’s three of you that are pregnant, and Sam’s wife is also pregnant. And while his wife is going to be staying at home for a little while, eventually he’ll want to use our daycare center because you know we have the best. And I love being the best. Oh, and you can always work from home for some things, but we can make it more as well. We are in the digital age after all, and I do not mind it. Hell, I’ll come to your house. Especially, you know, for anything. I’m just so happy. I’m going to be an aunt.” Paisley paled for a moment, and then I realize what had just happened.

Because Paisley meant aunt as in Devney’s friend, not the ex-wife of her brother-in-law.

“Yes, you’re going to be an aunt,” Devney said, gripping Paisley’s hand, and then mine. “Both of you are. Of course, I have more than a few brothers and sisters, so there’s going to be plenty of aunts and uncles involved. I’m just so damn excited. We’re going to have a baby. All of us. And thank you, Paisley. There wasn’t one moment where I was worried about work, because I knew that, no matter what, we would find a way to make it work. Even if I had to take extra time off because I wasn’t sure how long my maternity leave would go.”

“Well, at least four to six months right? Screw that one month thing.”

“I love you,” Devney said with a laugh, and then the two of them were hugging, and I was standing back, feeling as though I’d been blindsided.

Because not once had Devney worried about work. Paisley had a healthy and welcoming business which knew that people procreated and that meant things would need to change. And Paisley would find a way to make that work.

And I knew that if my boss found out I was pregnant right now I wouldn’t be fired, because that would be illegal, but I would lose out on that promotion and any thought of being able to work from home. I would lose prestigious clients, and I would be treated like the fragile lily he thought I was, rather than the fierce kick-ass Addison I fought so hard to be.

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