Page 105 of Doctor I Do

I’m lying here on the sofa a few days later at my old house with Maddison. My mom organized for me to have a hair and makeup trial this morning. She’s been surprisingly nice since our first argument. I haven’t had a moment to dwell on it, because in a week, I’m getting married to a man I love.

“Here. You need to take this.” Maddison thrusts out a pregnancy test.

My period is late.

It’s never late.

Until now…

I missed my pill the morning after Luxe. I was vomiting and hungover. It slipped my mind. That’s never happened to me before.

I grab the box with shaky fingers and sit up. My gaze flicks between the box and her.

“Don’t be scared. Just go take it, then you’ll know for certain,” she says, as if reading my thoughts.

“I know. I’m just scared.”

“I’ll be here with you,” she says softly.

I nod. “Thanks. I guess I’ll do it.”

She checks her watch. “Yeah, get it done. That way, you have the time to digest the news.”

“Are you already predicting I’m pregnant?” I try to muster up a smile, but there’s minimal movement on my lips. My nerves taking over, my stomach feels sick.

I stand and walk over to the bathroom, tearing open the box and following the instructions. I don’t want to be alone, so as soon as it’s done, I open the bathroom door. Maddison is standing right behind it.

I clutch my chest at the fright, but then I giggle. “You’re more eager than me.”

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. I just want to know you’re all right,” she replies with a somber expression.

“I’m doing okay. I just can’t wait three minutes and look at it by myself. I’m too chicken.”

“I’ll do it with you,” she offers.

“Thanks, Maddy.”

We’re silent for a few seconds before she blinks and looks around. “Did you check the time?”

Eyes wide, I realize I hadn’t. “No. I don’t have my phone with me.”

“Let’s start the three minutes now, just to be sure,” she says, tapping her watch face.

I bend my head and study my hands, desperately holding myself from picking my nail beds. “The longest three minutes of my life.”

“Come on. Let’s sit.” She gestures to the sofa. Feeling a little lightheaded from the anticipation, I welcome the idea. We leave the test in the bathroom and sit back down. I try to concentrate on the Friends episode on the TV to take my mind off the test results.

“It’s time,” Maddison announces.

“Oh, God. I feel sick,” I mumble, staring into her hopeful face.

She holds her hand out, and I accept her invitation to help me up. Standing tall, I stare directly in her eyes, and inhale deeply.

She gives me her friendly smile before spinning on her heel and tugging me along. “You’ve got this. Let’s go see. You might be overreacting,” she says as she walks us over to the bathroom.

“Jeez, thanks,” I mutter.

“You know what I mean.”

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