Page 156 of Chasing Sparks

“Is it, though? It’s his birthday. He’s going to want to kick back and have some drinks, not hash out custody agreements.”

She shoots me another glare, which raises my rancor.

“This isn’t easy, Mina. I have to walk into his home, the one he’s sharing with his pregnant ex, and announce he’s having another kid.”

“I know how hard it is, but I also know you. You’ve already got yourself convinced he’s going to tell you to leave and that you’re out of luck. He won’t do that, Ori. Enough is enough.”

I can continue arguing or cede defeat. Dropping my chin, I offer a nod. “I’ll tell him tonight.”

“Good woman.”

Mina pivots, and I roll my eyes behind her back, grumbling under my breath.

My friend snorts, catching my expression out of the corner of her eye. “Real mature.”

“Never claimed to be.” It’s the truth. When I feel cornered, I regress to sarcasm and biting wit.

Right now, I feel like a rabbit hemmed in by ravenous coyotes.

Mina slides a cup of tea to me before reaching across to give my arm an affectionate squeeze. “Give the man a chance.”

I shake my head as the steam wafts up to warm my face. “A chance to what? Break my heart again?”

“Maybe this time he’ll heal it instead. Ever think of that?”

Yes, Mina, all the time. At least until he introduced me to the love of his life. That encounter swayed things a bit.

Still, the man deserves to know. It’s only right, no matter his reaction.

“Promise me you’ll keep an open mind. Deal?”

I snort and nod, knowing full well Mina will not relent until I’ve completed my quest. “Deal. So long as you say nothing about me eating two pieces of pie.”

“You are eating for two.”

“And you’ll keep that info to yourself.”

“I think he’ll surprise you. Ash will be shouting it from the rooftops. Mark my words.”

Do I doubt that scenario? Entirely. Although the romantic in me still clings to the faintest of hope.

The issue is when I tell him, and he is disappointed instead of overjoyed, that hope disappears into the ether.

I need hope, no matter how pathetic it may seem to others.

Plus, I’ve got some time before I start showing.

I am the queen of excuses.

Lifting my cup in a mock salute, I motion toward the back of the store. “I’m heading to my office. We’ll drive out together?”

Suddenly, my stomach lurches, and the edges of my vision blur. I grip the counter, my tea sloshing over the rim as my knees threaten to give out.

“Not again,” Mina mutters, her voice sharp with concern as she rushes to steady me.

I squeeze my eyes shut and swallow hard, trying to ward off the faintness. “Just give me a second. I’ll be fine.”

“You’re not fine,” Mina says, easing me into a chair. Her hands stay firmly on my shoulders, keeping me steady. “When are you seeing the doctor?”

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