Page 148 of Hit Me With Your Best Shot

“Well…” I trail off, forcing a casual tone. “I was being serious.”

Nova’s hand freezes mid-pet. She glances up at me, her brows knitting together in confusion.

“Wait.What?”

“I’m serious,” I say, my voice quieter now. “I’m… pregnant.”

For a moment, she just stares at me, her mouth slightly open. Then, as if to break the tension, Gio lets out a laborious yawn, and she blinks, sitting up straighter.

“Wait, wait, wait,” she says, holding up a hand. “You’re telling me—like, right now, this second—you’repregnant?”

Unfortunately I can do nothing but nod my head. “I just found out. I have no idea how far along I am or anything…”

“Holy. Shit.” She shakes her head, a slow smile spreading across her face. “I mean… wow. Okay. This is huge. Are you okay? How do you feel? Wait—does my brother know?”

“Not yet,” I say quickly. “Dolly was there when I took the test and now I’m telling you.” I nibble at my thumbnail. “I honestly have no idea how I’m going to tell him.”

Or when.

“Wow,” she finally says, her tone softer now. “Okay. First of all, I’m honored you told me. Second…” She lets out a long breath, leaning back against the couch. “We need a plan. You can’t just wing something like this withhim.He’ll probably short-circuit.”

Not probably. He is.

I groan, sinking further into the blanket. “You think I don’t know that? That’s why I haven’t said anything yet. I mean, how do I start a conversation like this?”

“Something casual like, ‘Hey, remember that one night we banged? Turns out we made a person.’” Nova shifts, pulling her legs up onto the couch and cradling Gio in her lap like the tiny, spoiled prince that he is. “Seriously, though, you’ve got to tell him soon. He deserves to know. Plus, the longer you wait, the more lonely and isolated you’re going to feel.”

True.

I hadn’t thought of my feelings at all.

Only his reaction to it.

“I know,” I admit, running a hand through my hair. “I don’t want to freak him out. Or make things more complicated than they already are.”

“Complicated how?” she asks, raising an eyebrow.

I hesitate, my stomach twisting. “We’re nottogether,together,” I say slowly. “We’re dating. I don’t even know what his favorite ice cream flavor is.”

“Vanilla.” She yawns. “He’s dull—but that’s not the point. The point is: you don’t have to know his favorite ice cream flavor to know how he’ll handle this. If he’s worth anything, he’ll step up. And if he doesn’t…” She shrugs, her tone light but her expression serious. “Then you know exactly what kind of person he is.”

I sigh, leaning back into the couch. “I guess you’re right.”

“Of course I am,” she replies, grinning. “Don’t worry, though. You’ll be fine. You’re stronger than you think, and this kid’s gonna have the coolest mom ever.”

“Thanks.” A relieved smile tugs at my lips.

“And the coolest aunt,” she adds, winking. “Obviously.”

“Obviously,” I say, rolling my eyes.

I’m glad she doesn’t hate me. And I’m glad she doesn’t think I trapped her brother into a lifelong commitment before he’s ready.

Nova leans back, stroking Gio absentmindedly. “So, how are you actually going to tell him? Can I help?”

“I hadn’t thought about it. I’ve only worried about it,” I tell her honestly with a laugh.

She gets animated. “Oooh! I have an idea! How about this: you get a onesie printed that says, ‘Daddy’s Little Teammate,’ and hand it to him.”

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