Page 6 of This I Promise

I send the message, then set my phone down face up so I can see when she responds. I’m on my lunch break, and Miles came to eat with me at a burger place just around the corner from my office.

“I know. I know. She says the same thing. I just worry because she’s still going through morning sickness, and the doctor said it’d be a good idea to stick to bland foods and focus on hydration.”

Miles rolls his eyes. “I know, man. You’ve told me all about it. It’s been your obsession for the past few weeks.”

“I’m not obsessed. I just wanna help her. Especially since that jackass abandoned her. I can’t believe the fucker is married,” I grumble.

Abby should’ve let me kick his ass like I wanted to, but being the sweet girl that she is, she told me he wasn’t worth it and to forget about him. I’ll lay off for now, but the next time I see the guy, all bets are off.

“You think his wife knows?” Miles asks, bringing me back to the present.

“I doubt it. At least, Abby didn’t seem to think so.” I pop another fry into my mouth.

He smirks at me over the rim of his milkshake. “Maybe someone should look her up and tell her what’s going on.”

“I’d love to, but Abby won’t let me,” I huff. “She wants to focus on the baby right now, so I’m doing everything I can to help her. You know she puts everyone else first and does a shit job of taking care of herself.”

I’ve always taken care of my best friend, whether she likes it or not. Since the day we met in middle school when her desk was next to mine, I’ve felt protective of her. Even more so now that I know she’s pregnant. For the last two and a half weeks, I’ve been spending more time with her than ever. I don’t want her to go through this alone. Just because her worthless baby daddy isn’t around, that doesn’t mean she has to do it all by herself, and I want to make sure she knows it.

Despite the morning sickness she’s suffered, the doctor says the pregnancy is going well. She’s even started to develop a little baby bump. She’s only three months along, so it’s not obvious yet, but I can’t stop staring at it when I see her.

It’s amazing to know that a tiny human is growing inside her. The app on my phone says the baby is the size of a lime this week. Why they compare babies to food, I don’t know, but it’scrazy to think about how much they grow in a matter of a few days.

“Well, I hope she appreciates the way you’re stepping up when it’s not even your kid.”

I know Miles is just looking out for me, but his words put me on edge. I know the baby isn’t mine, but for some reason, I don’t like to be reminded of that. “She does appreciate it, and I’m being a good friend. She needs me right now, so I wanna be there for her.”

As if on cue, Abby texts back and confirms she was able to keep down the pasta she had for lunch. According to her doctor, most people get past the morning sickness in the second trimester. I hope that lady knows what she’s talking about, because my best friend is miserable right now and barely eats anything.

Miles finishes his burger and wipes his greasy hands on a napkin. “It must drive you crazy that another man got her pregnant. You know, since you’re in love with her and all.”

I scoff and shake my head.Not this shit again.

Miles and I met in college and became friends right away. I knew he was a good guy when he didn’t hit on Abby. She’s fucking beautiful, and all my friends ask if she’s single, which pisses me off. He’s always been respectful and treated her like she was his friend too and not just mine. He’s also always suspected that there was something more than friendship between me and Abby, even though we’ve both assured him there isn’t.

“You know I don’t think of her like that. We’re just friends. Same as you and me.”

Miles laughs. “Now, that’s not exactly true, is it?” He leans against the back of the booth and crosses his arms over his chest. “You two are almost always together. If you’re not at work, thenyou guys are either at your place or hers. That’s how I know where to find you.”

I shrug because he’s not wrong. “Yeah, so what? We’ve always been like this.”

“But you’re not in love with her?” He raises an eyebrow.

“For the hundredth time, no.” I shove my empty plate away before taking a long sip of my soda.

“Why the hell not? She’s so hot.”

My lips pinch together as I struggle to hold back a growl. “Don’t talk about her that way.”

“Come on, man. Are you saying that you’ve never noticed how attractive she is?”

“Of course, I have. I’m not blind.”

If I’m honest, Abby is a fucking smoke show with curves for days and a killer smile. The best part is that she has no clue how pretty she is. She’s humble and down-to-earth and never gets carried away with her appearance. She’s just naturally beautiful. I don’t like the idea of men checking her out all the time, even if that man is a good friend who I know is harmless.

“I’ve known her since we were thirteen years old, Miles. She’s been a part of my life forever. And yes, I love her.As a friendand nothing else. Now, will you drop it?”

He lifts his palms in surrender, and we finish our meal.

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