Page 97 of Growing Into Love

When he opens the door, my jaw drops and my head begins to pound.

Theresa is standing on his doorstep. She wears a purple rain jacket, her dark eyes wide under thick brown fringe.

“Jaz,” she says.

“What—you—Theresa, what are you doing here?” Jaz sputters.

“You haven’t answered any of my texts or calls,” Theresa says. “I’ve been trying to get in touch with you all week!”

“I was in America,” Jaz says.

She blinks. “Why?” She suddenly notices me over Jaz’s shoulder. “Oh. Hi, Cass.”

“Hi,” I say, feeling disoriented. I thought she got back with Craig. So what the hell does she want?

“I didn’t realize you had company,” she says.

“What do you want, Theresa?” Jaz says, echoing my thoughts.

She takes a deep breath and I feel a prickle of foreboding though I can’t say why. She looks Jaz straight in the eye.

“I’m pregnant,” she says. “And it’s yours.”

TWENTY-EIGHT

JAZ

“What?”

I don’t know who says it louder, me or Cass. I stare at Theresa, my pulse pounding loudly in my ears.

“How—not—what—condom!” I stammer. Maybe I misheard her. We used protection. This shouldn’t be possible.

Theresa shrugs, looking suddenly exhausted. “I guess it didn’t do its job.”

Now that I think of it, the condom was rather ancient. But still. They’re meant to be 99% effective! What are the odds of hitting the 1% with a one-night stand?

Cass looks pained and confused. “Jaz,” she says quietly. “What…”

“Cass, Jaz and I need some time alone to discuss this,” Theresa says.

“Don’t speak to her that way,” I say, my eyes flashing.

“What? I didn’t…” Theresa looks flustered. “I only meant this is between you and me.”

I grab Cass’s hand and hold it firmly. “Cass and I are together.”

“What?” Theresa exclaims. “Oh. Wow, that’s…okay. But, sorry, how long has this…I mean, it’s only been a week and…you’re sure you want her here for this conversation?”

“Yes,” I say.

“Seriously?” Theresa says.

“Yes,” I say again. “We’re serious about each other.”

“Stop talking about me like I’m not here,” Cass snaps.

Theresa seems to be reaching some sort of conclusion because her eyes grow wide but in an excited rather than affronted way.

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