Page 112 of Everlasting Promises

Holding a mirror up so my client can see the back of his hair, I count down the moments until I can head to the bathroom. The anticipation of learning if I’m pregnant or not is making my skin itch.

“That looks great. Thanks, Hope.” Donovan grins at me in the mirror.

I give him a genuine smile. “You’re welcome.” I brush off some stray hair from his neck. “I’ll see you in six weeks.”

“Yep. I’ll be back,” he says in his best Arnold Schwarzenegger voice as he climbs to his feet, and I chuckle. He has such a great demeanor. I bet all of his elementary students love him.

Glancing at the wall clock, I realize I have five minutes before my next client, so I scurry to the back, grab the test, and close myself in the bathroom. I skim the instructions and get to work. Once I’ve done my business, I wash my hands and wait.

Pacing the bathroom, I press my hand to my stomach as questions stream through my head.He said he wouldn’t mind if I got pregnant. I wonder if he meant that? Or did he say it in the heat of the post-sex high? What would we do? Where would we live? How would Evan feel if I were pregnant? He’s been an only child for so long. How would he adjust? Is this all happening too fast? What if I’mnotpregnant?

I glance down at my wedding rings and twist them around my finger.How can I wear these if I’m pregnant with Ben’s baby?

I jump as two sharp raps on the door snap me from my thoughts. I wrench it open to find Sophie and Savannah at the door with expectant looks. “So?”

“I don’t know. I’m too afraid to look.” I realize that, in the time since I overheard Savannah on the phone, hope has grown within me. For as many questions as I have rushing through my mind, there’s joy and excitement too.Hope.

Their eyes soften, and their lips curl into supportive smiles. “I’d have no idea what I’m looking at,” Savannah announces, then nudges Sophie’s arm. “You look.”

Sophie’s startled eyes lock with mine. “I can look, if you want me to.”

I bite my bottom lip, my eyes flicking between the two women. Appreciation grows for their unwavering support. “I’ll look, but will you guys stay while I do?”

They both nod. “Of course. Why in the hell do you think we’re here? I’ve got about a minute and a half before I need to get back out there, so hurry up!” Savannah cries.

I flap my hands and draw in a deep breath. “Okay, okay.” I grab the stick from the counter and glance at the window, spotting two solid dark pink lines. “Oh, my god,” I whisper, shock dripping from the three syllables.

Sophie and Savannah crowd me as they look at the test. “Holy shit. You’re preggers!” Savannah blurts.

I finally peel my eyes away from the test to look at the girls. “We haven’t been as careful as we should. This might be a result of the first time we had sex …” I count in my head. “Five weeks ago. It’s not like we’ve had a lot of opportunities to do the deed.”

Sophie smiles. “I got pregnant the first time Ieverhad sex.”

Savannah playfully punches her arm. “No way! That’s some bullshit, right there.”

With a nod, Sophie agrees and says, “I know, but I ended up with James, so I’m not complaining. He’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” I think she says something else, but all I hear is the buzzing in my head and my blood thrumming through my veins.

I’m pregnant.

Something I never thought I’d experience again. I lay my hand across my stomach in awe, knowing there’s a little piece of me and a little piece of Ben in there.

Ben and I are having a baby.

“Shit. I gotta go,” Savannah curses, then wraps her arm around me, hugging me awkwardly in the tight space. “Congrats, momma!” She kisses my cheek and rushes out.

When it’s just Sophie and me, she looks at me cautiously. “What are you gonna do?”

A grin touches my lips. Something that’s been happening a lot lately. “I’m gonna tell Ben tonight after he finishes work.”

“Do you think he’ll be happy?”

I ponder the question, and there’s no doubt in my mind when I finally answer. “Yeah.” My grin is broad and my heart expands as I answer.

She beams and leans in to embrace me. “I’m so happy for you, Hope.”

I suck in a deep breath, feeling the oxygen fill my lungs. “Me too.” And I really am. For the first time in a long time, I’m genuinely happy and looking forward to the future.

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