Page 28 of Single Chance

“Yes. Good idea.” Chloe led us out of the small bathroom.

Presley wound her arm through mine as we walked to the sofa.

“People sayI’mhard to read,” Chloe said as she sat on an armchair facing us.

“You are,” Presley confirmed. “But Rowan’s got you beat. Should we be offering a shoulder or tracking down some sparkling juice to celebrate?”

I folded my hands in front of my mouth, still trying to get the test results to sink in. “I’m afraid to hope, and this is probably the worst possible time in my life, but I’ve wanted babies for as long as I can remember.”

“Oh, my God,” Presley said, putting an arm around me from the side and leaning her head against my shoulder. “Congratulations, Rowan. I’m sorry the timing sucks, but I think you’re getting your wish.”

I met Chloe’s gaze, most likely with a look of disbelief on my face. She was smiling and nodded, then came over to my other side.

“I think she’s right. You have a little bean in there,” she said.

“Wow,” I said, because I couldn’t figure out what else to say. It wasn’t real yet. Not even close.

“I mean, you definitely need a doctor to confirm,” Chloe said. “Take whatever time off you need for an appointment.”

“Am I your first employee to take a pregnancy test in your home?” I asked her, grinning.

“We’re friends first,” she said, “thanks to this one.” Chloe pointed at Presley.

I felt that too. Chloe treated me as more of an equal at work than an underling, even though I was only an assistant.

“My doctor’s in Nashville,” I said. “Unless… Is there an ob-gyn here?”

Chloe shook her head. “Just Dr. Julian. He’s a wonderful family physician, but with your history…”

I nodded. “I need to see my regular doctor.”

I imagined Dr. Shah’s face as she confirmed the pregnancy. She was so compassionate and personable. I knew she’d understand the emotional complexity I was feeling.

I folded my hands in front of my mouth again and noticed, as my arms pressed into my chest, my breasts were tender.

“My boobs hurt,” I said.

Both women’s brows shot up, and smiles lit their faces again.

“Sure sign,” Chloe said.

They leaned in for a group hug as I started to believe the test was correct.

“I can’t even comprehend the odds,” I said. “Not only did my doctor tell me it was highly unlikely to happen, but I had sex literally one time in the past two years. One time. Oh, and let me just add that we used a condom.”

“Seems like not a very good one,” Presley said.

“One time is all it takes,” Chloe said.

“This baby is meant to be,” Presley declared with conviction.

“If you wake up Sutton,” Chloe said to her in a hushed voice, “you have to get her back to sleep.”

“Kill joy.” Presley leaned forward to stick her tongue out at Chloe. “I hesitate to bring this up, but what about the father, Rowan? Do you have a way to contact him?”

Shit on a shingle. I hadn’t even thought about Chance yet. I was reeling too hard with the unlikeliness…and then the irony…

“I…do,” I said.

---