Page 56 of Secret Babies For My Brother's Best Friend

“It’s hormones,” I mumbled to myself, dabbing at my face with toilet paper I’d dampened in the sink. The last thing I needed was to walk back out there and have everyone know I’d been crying.

“You knew it was never going to work out with Luca. The only reason you’re crying is because…” I sniffled and swallowed back another onslaught of tears, “hormones…”

I took a deep breath and squared my shoulders, staring at my reflection in the mirror. I had to get my shit together, and fast. Digging in my purse, I pulled out my mascara and eyeliner. I then went through the most aggressive makeup touch-up of my life.

Because fuck Luca Moretti. Was he really that clueless? I understood every damn word; the whole reason I was in his life at all was because I was fluent in several languages! The audacity of the man infuriated me.

Arrogant, selfish asshole…

I groaned and gripped the edge of the sink to compose myself. He was all of those things but also funny and charming and so goddamn hot.

“And the father of your baby,” I whispered, looking down at my belly.

Fresh tears stung my eyes, and I shook my head vigorously in an effort to keep them at bay. I had no idea what I was going to do. One minute Luca seemed as though he wanted a future with me, and the next he was telling his sister it wasn’t going to happen.

Then there was Chris…

A soft knock sounded on the bathroom door, making me jump. I checked my reflection one last time and swiped my purse from the sink, giving myself one last pep talk before opening the door.

“Nonna,” I stared at Luca’s grandmother. I didn’t know her name, but it didn’t matter. She insisted everyone called her Nonna anyway.

“I thought I saw you come in here,” she said, studying me closely.

I felt naked under her gaze, like she could tell exactly what it was I was hiding. I got that sense from her back at the party when we were talking. She made an effort to keep things light and conversational but would drop insightful bombs every now and again that knocked the air clean out of my lungs. The way old, wise people tend to do.

“Why are you crying?” she asked.

A defeated laugh fluttered out between my lips, and my shoulders sagged. So much for fooling her.

“I’m not,” I replied. “I mean, I was, but I’m okay now. Thanks.”

“You don’t look okay,” she pressed on. As I knew she would.

I shifted my weight awkwardly from one foot to the other, avoiding her riveting gaze. “It’s nothing. I’ll be fine.”

Nonna nodded, and a slow smile spread on her face. “How far along?”

My head snapped up, and I knew that whatever mask I’d been wearing had just been ripped off. “H—How did you…?” I choked out, my throat suddenly closed up. To make things even worse, my eyes started tearing up again.

“I have a sense for these things,” Nonna said, tapping her nose. “Also, you’ve been protecting your belly all night.”

I looked down to find my hands folded over my stomach. I hadn’t even realized I’d been doing it.

“A few weeks,” I said, looking back up with a sad smile. “But—”

“But you’re not sure yet,” Nonna interjected with a nod. “You’re young, my Luca doesn’t have a feeling for these things… I understand.”

A slight frown creased my brow. “Luca?”

The jig was up, so I don’t know why I tried to continue the secret. But it was her observation that threw me. The one that said he didn’t have a feeling for these things. That was my biggest fear since I found out I was carrying his child. I was afraid he wouldn’t want us.

And now, the person that arguably knew him best just confirmed it.

My blood turned cold in my veins, and I felt the ground shift unsteadily under my feet. “What makes you think—?”

“I have eyes,” Nonna replied without hesitation. “But don’t worry, your secret is safe.”

The kindness in her eyes was a comfort I didn’t know I needed. It made the reality of my situation even harder to own up to. Because she just turned everything on its head while wearing a smile and didn’t even know it.

---