Page 148 of Tarek

PENNY

Last night was a disaster. Of all the places Nick could have chosen for a date, he chose the Glasshouse. Nick was gentlemanly enough to drop me back home. He said good night, and he drove off.

Now as I sit in Zeeta’s family room watchingJohn Wick 2, I think of ways I can get back at Tarek.

“So, you don’t need my help tomorrow?” I ask, while crunching the popcorn.

Zeeta sighs. “No, we have everything ready for the 4th ofJuly. Rhet hired some people and its being taken care of.”

I nod of course Rhet took care of everything for Zeeta. I love the way that man loves my friend.

“Can I ask you to do something with me?” Zeeta whispers dipping her hand in the popcorn.

“Sure what?”

“Take a pregnancy test with me?” Zeeta asks.

My stomach dropped. “No! You can take it, and I can wait.”

“Or we can take it together. Please I need your support I am begging,” Zeeta squeezes my hand.

“Support? Heifer you have a man who loves you and a child,” I reply.

“Come it will be fun.”

Fun? To be reminded that I can’t have children. Granted I didn’t tell Zeeta about the ordeal with Doctor Samson.

“Do you think you’re pregnant? Like, are you seeing signs?” I ask.

Zeeta nods and begins to cry. “Yes. I have morning sickness, and my breasts feels tender.”

Zeeta wipes her eyes and hiccups. “I don’t even know what Rhet would think. I mean Gia just turned one and now…”

“And Rhet is going to be his overprotective loving asshole self. Breathe.” I place the bowl of popcorn on the coffee table and pull her in for a side hug.

“You are a great mother. What a lucky baby? Having you and Rhet…Well, you as a parent,”

Zeeta slaps my shoulder. “Rhet is a great father.”

“Exactly. You guys are great parents.” I smile.

“Take this test with me?” Zeeta pleads.

“Fine,” I reply.

Within a few minutes, I peed on a stick, and now I’m sitting on the marble bathroom floor watching my friend pace.

“How much more time?” Zeeta cries.

I look down at my phone, and the three minutes are up. “You can look now.”

Zeeta shakes her hands in front of her. “No you look. No, I should look? No, you?—”

“Oh, goodness, look at the sticks already!” I shout.

Zeeta presses her hand down on the sink and blinks. “Um, this can’t be right?”

“What’s wrong?”

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