Page 2 of If It Can't Be Us

“I’m probably the boss whether I’m the DD or not,” I say teasingly.

“Accurate,” he says. “We have a long drive anyway. Let’s make our rounds to everyone and then head home.” He kisses me on the forehead and grabs my hand.

We circle the grand venue Sarah’s fiancé rented in downtown Salt Lake City. I don’t get why anyone needs such a lavish space for a twenty-eighth birthday, but I’m happy to be here celebrating Sarah. She’s found a great man—Ryan, a successful plastic surgeon who’s twelve years older than her. Though we don’t see them often due to our busy schedules and living in different cities, I like him. He’s charming, has a great laugh, and swept Sarah off her feet. She moved into his home down in the valley six months ago, and they’re getting married in May.

We make our way around the room, saying goodbye to a few friends, Sarah’s parents, and Ryan, saving Sarah for last.

I find her on the dance floor, “getting low” to Flo Rida. I call out for her and she comes running over, and I embrace my very drunken friend with the biggest hug I can muster.

“Happy Birthday to the best friend I could ever ask for,” I say with a cheesy grin, simultaneously trying to hold back the unexpected tears springing to my eyes.

Sigh… Pregnancy hormones.

“Thank you so much for coming! I’m excited for our lunch next week!” It’s loud in here, but Sarah’s voice is three notches louder than necessary.

I’m taking Sarah to lunch on Tuesday for her actual birthday.

“Me too,” I say. “I’ll call you tomorrow, and we can decide where to go, so I can make a resy.”

“Sounds great. Drive safe and text me when you get home.”

“I will,” I agree. We always text each other when we get home from driving through the canyon. I’m surprised she remembered to say something in her tipsy state.

“Happy Birthday, Sarah,” Ben says, hugging her.

“Thanks, Ben. Thank you both for coming. You guys are the best!” She stumbles backward and almost falls. “Whoa, Ben, are you okay?”

Ben stifles a laugh. “Yeah, Sarah… I’m good.”

She is sloshed.

“Viv.” She points to me and then to Ben. “Keep an eye on Ben, he’s really drunk. He took birthday shots with me all night!” She’s practically shouting now.

Ben looks at me with his hands up. “Guilty. I did take birthday shots with her, but not all night. I only had two.”

I laugh, looping my arm around Ben’s.

“Alright, friend, I’ll keep an eye on him. Wouldn’t want Ben getting too frisky with me.” I joke, elbowing him softly in the ribs and giving Sarah a wink. Ben shoots me a mischievous glance. “See you later, Sarah!”

After one final hug, Ben and I grab our coats and stroll towards the door, laughing together. I press the elevator button.

Ben struggles to contain his amusement. “She fell backward…and then asked if I was ok,” he manages between bursts of laughter.

I join him, unsure if I’m laughing at Sarah’s mishap or Ben’s inability to gain composure. Our laughter echoes the hallway as we wait for the elevator. We attempt to calm ourselves, taking deep breaths, but a single glance reignites our laughter. I cross my legs and crouch down, overwhelmed with the urge to pee.

“Oh my God, please stop,” I manage between tears. “I might pee.” The elevator doors slide open. We stumble inside, pressing the P1 button for the parking garage.

“No, seriously,” I gasp, “I’m pregnant. If you keep making me laugh like this, I’ll definitely pee myself.”

We rein in our laughter by the time we get to the garage, but as we near the car, the urgency grows.

“You know what, babe? I’m going to run back upstairs to pee. I don’t think I can hold it another thirty minutes.”

“I bet you wish you had a penis right now,” Ben quips, thinking he’s hilarious.

“Yeah, for so many reasons,” I reply. “However, I’m not sure that I’d use it in a parking garage, even if I had one. I’ll hurry!” I say, turning on my heel.

“It’s ok, babe. I’ll go back up with you.”

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