Page 104 of The Fiancé Hoax

I turned away, walking toward the stools at the sales counter. “I have news. Really big news. You should sit down.”

Her eyes grew large as she followed me and pulled a seat underneath her. “Okay, I'm listening. Tell me everything.”

“Well, the other day I was walking past that French restaurant, and the smell made me throw up.”

She frowned. “Jean-Luc’s? You love that place.”

“Yeah, but lately, certain aromas have been making me feel sick. Then I realized I had skipped a period.”

Her hands flew to her mouth. “Oh, my God.”

“Yeah. The tests I bought at the pharmacy came back positive. Both of them.”

“So, you’re…”

I took a deep breath. This was the first time I’d told anyone outside of the people at the birth clinic. “I'm pregnant.”

Lauren jumped up so fast her stool fell to the floor behind her. She hugged me, and I began to cry.

She handed me a tissue. “I take it you’re shocked.”

“I'm fine. I’m just… terrified.”

“Is it Cooper's?”

“Yes,” I said. “It's definitely Cooper's.”

“Right. You went through a dry spell before he came along. But weren't you on birth control all this time?”

I nodded and dabbed at my wet cheeks. “Yes, I was. But I got sick with that stomach bug the morning after our first night together. I was throwing up for three days. I didn’t think of it at the time, but I guess the birth control wasn't effective during that time.”

“Damn.” Lauren shook her head. “That's a tough break.”

“Thanks,” I said sarcastically.

She grabbed my hand. “I didn't mean it like that. I just… Wow. This is crazy. Pregnant?”

“I know. I found out the day you left. I've been so stressed out since then.”

“You've known this for a week and you didn't tell me? You've been texting me about the interview and the store, but you didn't mention this little tidbit?”

I lifted a shoulder. “This was too big for a text. And I didn't want to interrupt your family time.”

She scoffed. “I would have made time for you, silly.” She gave me a sympathetic look. “I know you're stressed out about your new customers and the changes with Moonstone. But how are you handling this?” She gestured at my belly.

I paused for a moment. “I'm scared, to be honest. But I'm excited, too. I was never really sure I wanted to have kids before. But now that I'm pregnant, the thought of bringing a new life into the world makes me happy.” I smiled. “I keep wondering if it's going to be a boy or girl, and who it's going to look like.”

She grinned at me. “If it's a girl, hopefully she'll have Cooper's long eyelashes.”

I laughed.

“But seriously,” Lauren continued, “I'm excited, too. I know you're going to make a great mother. And I’ll be with you every step of the way. What does Cooper say?”

I winced. “I haven't told him yet.”

She blinked at me. “What? Why not?”

“Because I'm a big chicken. I'm afraid of how he's going to react. The trial is just four days away, and he's so stressed out. It doesn't feel like the right time to drop this bomb on him. Especially not with my dad creating more drama.”

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