“Yes, you,” she says, a small awkward smile breaking through her concerned expression. “I mean, when was the last time you—you know.”

“Had sex?”

“Had your period.”

I frown, trying to recall the last time my period made an appearance. And it hits me. It’s late. Really late. But no, that’s ridiculous. It couldn’t be.

“I’m not pregnant,” I say flatly, shaking my head. “It’s just stress, or a stomach bug or—”

“Or you’re pregnant.”

“I’m not pregnant, Pen.”

“Leah, do you really want to bet on that? ‘Cause I happen to have a pregnancy test right here.” She reaches into the drawer under the sink and produces one with a flourish.

I blink at her, stunned. “Why do you even have that in here?”

She shrugs, grinning cheekily. “A girl’s got to be prepared. Plus, I’ve been, well, let’s say I’ve been busy.”

“You sure have.”

“So, are you going to take it?” She stretches it to me.

“I am not pregnant.”

“Then you should have no problem taking the test.”

I groan, burying my face in my hands. “Fine. But this is a waste of time.”

“Come on,” she urges, pushing the test toward me. “Worst case, you’re right, and you can get back to feeling miserable without a tiny human complicating things.”

Her logic is absurdly sound, even though I don’t want to admit it. With a resigned sigh, I take the strip off her hands, feeling ridiculous as I stare at it.

“What, are you going to watch me take it?”

“I’ve seen you pee, babes.”

“Out.” I push her half-jokingly, lock myself in the bathroom, and follow the instructions. My heart pounds in my chest as I pee. The seconds feel like hours as I wait, my mind a chaotic mess of disbelief, anxiety, and a sliver of . . . fear?

The timer on my phone goes off, and I glance down at the little strip. My heart stops. The world around me narrows down to the tiny, unmistakable symbol.

Two pink lines.

No, no, no, no, no.

I blink and shake the test, as if that will somehow change the result. But there it is, staring back at me, stubbornly real.

I stagger back, sinking onto the closed toilet lid, test clutched in my hand, mind blank with shock. This isn’t happening. This can’t be happening. Oh my God! This can’t be happening.

There’s a knock at the door, and Penny’s voice filters through, gentle, hesitant. “Leah? You okay in there? I heard the timer. What’s the test say?”

I take a shaky breath, trying to keep my voice steady. “Penny, about that banging body?”

“Yeah?”

“We may have to put a pin in that.”

Chapter thirty-four