Page 39 of Never To Forever

Groaning, I roll over and reach for my phone on my side table. Garrett said he was going to check in on me this morning, and indeed, I have a missed call. It’s not from Garrett, but Haven. What could she want at seven in the morning?

Bringing up her number, I hit dial, and she answers after just a few rings.

“Hey you,” she says. “I heard from Maggie you guys went out last night. I wanted to make sure you were okay.”

I close my eyes and hold back a groan. Maggie must have told her we ran into Garrett.

“I’m good,” I tell her, my voice raspy, making it very clear that I’m not, in fact, good.

“Woah, are you sure?” Haven’s tone takes on genuine concern. “You sound kind of rough.”

“It’s nothing. I’ve just been dealing with a stomach issue. No big deal.”

“Do you need anything?” she asks. “It’s Saturday, so no daycare. I can come over and bring you Pepto or something.”

“I appreciate the offer, but I promise, I’ll be fine.” I don’t want her to worry about me and make a fuss. “It’s just a stomach ache. I have to work today anyway, so I can grab some Pepto myself if I need it while I’m out.”

“Well, at least you’re not pregnant or anything,” Haven says with a teasing chuckle. “I can tell you that nausea is something else. It knocked me on my ass for days at a time.”

My heart comes to a sudden stop. Pregnant?

“Right,” I mumble, forcing a laugh, even though I am not feeling any bit of amusement. “That would be crazy.”

“Let me know if you need anything, okay?” she insists. “I’ll come over right away.”

“Okay, I will.”

Hanging up the call, I sit up and drop my phone on the bed next to me. Pressing my back against the headboard, I stare straight ahead, dumbfounded. Pregnant? Could I be pregnant?

No, we used a condom. I remember him getting it and putting it on. He got it out of his wallet…wait! That’s bad for condoms, right? You’re not supposed to keep them in a wallet. Did it break? I didn’t see when he took it off and threw it away…would he have noticed if it broke? What if I am pregnant? I can only imagine how Garrett would react. Would he think I got knocked up on purpose to trap him or something?

As if my thoughts have somehow manifested him, my phone buzzes and Garrett’s name pops up. He’s just sent a text.

Hesitantly, I open it.

Garrett: Hey, hope you’re feeling okay this morning. Let me know if you need anything. I’m sorry about last night.

Another apology? Is it for the kiss? That only makes me feel even shittier. He’s apologizing for that hot-as-hell kiss, and I might be incubating his oops-baby right now.

I quickly type a response.

Marie: I’m okay. Thanks for getting me home.

I don’t know what else to say to him right now. Do I tell him I suspect I could be pregnant? No, no… I shouldn’t do that. There’s a good chance that I’m not, and I’d just be dropping a bombshell for no reason. It’d be better to figure out if I am pregnant before I say anything to him… if I say anything to him. Wait, of course I’d tell him if I was pregnant! Wouldn’t I? Yes, he would deserve to know… but I’m probably not pregnant, so I’m getting worked up for no reason.

But if I am pregnant…

Shit, I’m spiraling. I need to calm down and think logically.

Releasing a long, steadying breath, I decide that a trip to the pharmacy over my lunch break is what I need. I’ll grab a pregnancy test. Once I know for sure one way or another if I’m pregnant, I’ll figure out my next step.

I just have to make it until lunch so I can take the test, and when it’s negative, I’ll pretend this never happened.

* * *

“Marie, are you okay? You seem distracted again today.”

Blinking, I look over at Kathy, who’s frowning at me in concern. Shit, I was spacing out again. I just can’t focus on work today. If I keep this up, Kathy’s going to fire me for being totally useless. My nerves are too wired to concentrate on anything except for what could possibly be going on inside me. Time seems to crawl as I wait for my lunch break so I can finally get that test.

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