Page 23 of Capitally Unexpected

He starts gasping for air, flexing his fingers and rubbing where the indents from his teeth were.

“You’re not shitting me. This isn’t a joke?”

“With how much trouble some people have getting pregnant? Pregnancy should never be a punchline,” I say, thinking about stories I overheard from some of the women in my cooking classes.

“Okay, so what are you going to do?” Hayden swigs the rest of the whiskey. He goes to pour another glass, but I stop his hand.

“First, no more drinks tonight. Second, I need you to promise to keep this between us. Only until Monday. If Charlotte gives you a problem when she finds out, let me know. I’ll tell her I asked you to.”

“Charlotte’s the best. She’ll understand without us having to explain. Besides, it’s only twenty-four hours. So done and done. What else do you need?”

“Here’s what I have in mind ...”

The next day, we do the citywide scavenger hunt Margaret bought for us to do together this weekend. We create a shared album, and it seems like she and Dad spend all day waiting for the next update, commenting and teasing us as soon as we post a new photo. It’s a fun day, regardless if Hayden and I are dragging from being up until 3:00 a.m. working on my plan.

Everyone’s set to go their separate ways when I pull Duncan aside.

“Hey Dunc, I need to ask you something. Well, two things.”

“Anything. What’s up?”

“First, I need to change my plane ticket to the latest flight out tomorrow. I’ll pay for the difference if you let me know how much it is.”

He waves his hand. “No, you won’t. I’ll get my assistant on it. What’s number two?”

“Can you bump whatever godforsaken thing you’ve scheduled at 6:00 a.m. on a Monday holiday so we can get coffee? Or we can meet at your office. Wherever you would go to hear a business pitch on a holiday.”

Duncan smiles broadly and grabs my shoulder. “I know the perfect place. I’ll text you the details.”

“You will, not your assistant?” Maybe I shouldn’t bite the hand I’m hoping will help me, but he is my big brother.

“I know how to send my brother some details, smartass. I look forward to seeing whatever you’ve put together.”

I turn around to find Preston, Jax, Charlotte, and Hayden waiting for me. “I’m going to go stay at Jax’s,” Charlotte announces. “Prez has to catch a last-minute flight out to meetthe senator at whatever parade he’s participating in tomorrow, so I’ll be out of your hair. Don’t stay up too late with whatever you’re plotting. Okay, boys?”

Hayden and I exchange glances, and I catch Preston and Jax doing the same out of the corner of my eye. I think back to Jax’s reaction on the rooftop deck Friday night. It’s very possible she and Preston may have been playing dumb all day. The one time Hayden keeps a secret, and half the players involved already know.

We say our goodbyes and the three of them head off toward Capitol Hill for Preston and Jax’s place. “All right.” Hayden claps me on the shoulder. “We’re going to need coffee, we’re going to need pizza, we’re going to need Pepto, and we’re going to need ice cream.”

“You know, taking away a few of those things would remove the need for the third.”

“Wow, man. Fatherhood’s really changed you.” We look at each other for a second before we both bust up laughing. I throw my arm around Hayden’s shoulders and set off for the Metro to head to Navy Yard. For the first time in my life, I have faith things are going to go my way. Let’s hope Michelle sees things the same way I do.

Chapter

Ten

Michelle

Yup, ten weeks pregnant one more time

What do you wear when your baby daddy is coming over at 9:00 a.m. to cook you breakfast on a holiday? Honestly, not only has Hallmark failed to prepare me for this entire situation, but Vogue has too.

I take stock of my reflection in the bathroom mirror. My long hair is thrown up into a messy bun. Hopefully it’s enough to hide the fact I haven’t showered since our date on Saturday. I spent yesterday alternating between working on my proposal for this afternoon’s meeting with my boss and experiencing my most severe morning sickness yet. It seems to have subsided when I woke up this morning. The dark circles under my eyes didn’t do me the same favor. My concealer is doing the heaviest lifting today.

My leggings and blouse are casual enough for this morning. Throwing a blazer on as I leave the house will transform it into day-off-turned-work-opportunity-meeting chic when I need tohead to the station. Maybe I should pitch this column to Vogue. Or at least Cosmo. Start a college fund for little Cumulus.

A slightly hysterical giggle escapes before it’s cut off by a knock at the door. With one more quick glance, I take a deep breath and roll my shoulders back.You can do this, Lewis.

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