“Don’t do that, Cici. Don’t make light of this.”
“What do you want me to do?”
“Fuck.” He groans in agony before continuing, “I just want you to know that you still mean something to me.”
“Well, I suggest you let that go since youareasking another woman to marry you tomorrow. Congratulations, Eli, and don’t bother calling again.”
I hang up and lie on the floor while my body trembles with sobs.
I’m not sure how much time passes until my phone starts ringing and Lily’s face lights up the screen.
“Hello?” My voice comes out hoarse from crying.
She picks up on it immediately. “Cici, are you okay?”
Not at all.I shake my head as I choke on the next sob, trying to form words to no avail.
“Cici, what is it? Did something happen to the baby?”
“No,” I answer quickly. “The baby’s perfect…. I saw it today…. Got pictures… and everything.” My words come out between gulps of air.
“What? Why didn’t you text me and send me a picture?”
“I was planning on it. Right after calling Eli to tell him about the baby… but he called me first.”
There’s a long pause while I sniffle some more.
“Oh, sweetie. He told you, didn’t he? Sebastian just filled me in, which is why I was calling. I can’t believe they kept it quiet until the day before. Wait! So did you tell him about the baby?”
“Noooo,” I wail. “I freaked out after he said he was getting engaged, so all that came out was congratulations and not to call me again. Lily, I can’t. It’s too complicated now.”
“Cici, you have to tell him—now more than ever.”
“Why? What good would it do? I’m fine on my own, and it would only hurt him at this point.”
“That’s not true. I know you’re still working on your commitment issue, and you may not be ready yet, but don’t you think it’s time to give a relationship with Eli a try? He loves you, Cici. You can’t let him marry her.”
“Lily, stop it. He’s moved on. He loves Rebecca now, and it wouldn’t be fair to come between them. It’s too late for us.”
“I don’t believe that. I’m not accepting this Rebecca woman.”
“You can’t do that. She’ll be your sister-in-law.” Holy shit, saying that hits me harder than expected, and more tears silently fall. I don’t want to lose it again, so I need her to let this go.
Lily groans, “I don’t care. I don’t like her.”
“You don’t know her. She’s not bad. Just give her a chance.” This. Is. Killing. Me.
Thank God she changes the subject. “Tell me more about the baby. I thought your ultrasound was next week.”
Relieved for the distraction, I gladly dive into the events of today, filling her in on my scare and how mind-blowing it was to see the baby for the first time.
“I wish you were pregnant,” I whine when I’m done.
“Trust me, we’re trying. Who knew my husband would have a breeding kink, but holy hell is it hot. I wouldn’t be surprised if I already have a bun in the oven, but I’m okay if not because, man, it’s fun making one.” She giggles.
My eyes roll. “Ha. Don’t worry, with Sebastian, it’ll go from a breeding kink to a pregnancy kink. I doubt he’ll ever not find something to obsess about. I still can’t believe how far you’ve come, from the shy virgin to surpassingmysex life, which is now over for the foreseeable future.”
“It wouldn’t have to be if you’d listen to me and—”
