Page 136 of Hit Me With Your Best Shot

“It’s going to be fine,” Dolly says softly, but her voice wavers, betraying her own uncertainty.

I force myself to breathe, even though my chest feels tight. The walls seem closer, the air thicker. I lean over the sink for a moment, gripping its edge, trying to ground myself.

You can do this.

Just take the test.

I pee on another stick.

Wait.

My heart is pounding so hard it feels like it’s trying to climb up my throat. I pick up the test and force myself to look at the screen.

The digital screen says one word: PREGNANT

Again.

Dolly lingers in the doorway.

I hold up the test wordlessly; her eyes dart to it, and then tomy face. She doesn’t say anything at first, but then she reaches for my hand, threading her fingers through mine.

“It’s real,” I say, my voice breaking on the last word. “This is happening.”

Dolly exhales shakily and nods, a faint smile flickering on her lips before fading. “We’ll figure it out,” she says, squeezing my hand.

“It’s going to be okay,” she tells me confidently. “You’re going to be okay. Gio is going to be okay.”

Tears prick my eyes as I nod against her shoulder, the weight of the news settling over me.

“What am I going to tell him?” I croak out. “Oh my God, Dolly—what if he thinks I’m trapping him for money?”

“He’s not going to think you’re trapping him. He slept with youclearlywithout protection.” Her lips purse. “It’s as much his responsibility as yours.”

My mind goes back to the day he came to my apartment, unannounced, and we had sex on the table in my entryway.

And the time we banged in the shower with no condom.

Still. Nothing is foolproof.

“Hey.” Dolly's hand squeezes my shoulder. “Do you want to celebrate with ice cream or cry into it?”

I laugh, the sound shaky but real. “Both?”

This is kind of a nightmare.

I can’t eat.

Can’t sleep.

The next morning, after Dolly has gone because she had to go to work—I act weird when Gio texts, unable to be my normal, upbeat self.

Gio: Everything okay babe?

I stare at his message, stomach curling.

I press a hand there.

Austin: Yeah, just tired. Long day.

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