Ellie spotted the look on my face. “Savvy, are you okay?”
I turned to her with a loaded look. “Madison—I think I just saw her at the bar.”
I’d filled Ellie in on the balloon delivery to my office and the unpleasant letter Madison had sent with it. She knew Madison was the last person I wanted to see—well, maybe the second to last, after ThrobbingRob17.
Ellie craned her neck. “I don’t see her. Just relax, babe. Try to forget all about that stuff and—” Her face froze as she saw mine morph into an “oh shit” expression.
It was Madison, making her way through the crowd toward us, flashing her bright Miss America smile. “Hi, ladies!” She waved as she approached our booth.
Ellie and I shared a stunned look as Amber looked up at her, confused.
“Hi … do I know you?” Amber asked.
“Madison, what are you doing here?” I groaned.
“Well, I came here to talk to you, Savannah. I’m worried about the baby. I don’t mean to be rude, but this is pretty irresponsible of you. You shouldn’t be out partying like this.”
My cheeks burned, and my mouth fell open. But anger pushed any embarrassment I felt to the ground. “Oh my God, Madison,” I said with a frustrated sigh. “I’m not partying—I’m just hanging out with my friends to celebrate Amber’s bachelorette night.”
Madison narrowed her eyes at me. “You’re drinking, and you’re grinding up on trashy guys on the dance floor. It sure looks like I have reasons to be worried.”
I was speechless.How dare she talk to me like this in front of my friends?
Amber stood up, her expression as angry as I’d ever seen it. “Savannah, who is this?” She jerked her thumb in Madison’s direction.
Ellie spoke up. “Madison, we’re having a private get-together here. And I don’t appreciate your accusations toward my friend. Please leave.”
Madison paused as she scanned the stony faces around the booth. “Well, I suppose I don’t want to ruin your little celebration. I’ll get going—but why don’t I give you a ride home, Savannah?”
“No thanks, Madison.” I gave a tight, phony smile.
Madison’s face twisted into a frown. She crossed her arms at her chest, jutting out her hip. “I’m sorry, Savannah, but this is not okay. This is not good for the baby. Look how crowded this place is—what if someone knocked you over, or bumped into you, and hurt the baby? I know how much you love to party, but you need to think of your child now, and not just yourself.”
My blood boiled beneath my skin; she wasn’t letting up. “Madison, I am not drinking. I’m the designated driver. And also, my life is none of your business, so I would appreciate it if you would leave us alone.”
“I’m happy to go, but I really think you should leave too. You don’t belong here—and the babyespeciallydoesn’t.”
At this, every single girl around the table stood up.
Behind Madison, the band walked on stage and started checking their instruments for the next set. It was about to get really loud again.
“Madison,” growled Ellie. “Savannah is drinkingvirgindrinks, and we are all looking out for her. She and her baby are not in any danger, and we don’t need, or want, your help.”
Madison looked me right in the eyes with an expression that sent chills throughout my body. “That baby can’t speak for itself, sosomeonehas to—and I guess that person is me. You’re being irresponsible, and you should really go home.”
I clenched my fists together, feeling the sting of my fingernails digging into my palms. My heart was pounding. I’d tried reasoning with her; it didn’t work. I had nothing left to say. What was she going to do—drag me out of the club?
Madison’s eyes glared daggers at me. “Well, I guess I’m just going to have to have a serious conversation with Max about this.” Then she finally turned and walked away.
The energy drained from me, and I practically fell back into my seat, breathing heavily from adrenaline. I felt a small ache in my belly.
“Who the hell was that, Savannah?” Amber asked.
I groaned as I buried my face in my hands. Ellie rubbed my back. All I’d told my friends earlier that evening when I announced my pregnancy was that I had briefly dated the baby’s father a few months before. I’d left out the fact of his girlfriend—and how horrible she was proving to be.
I uncovered my face and tried to compose myself. “It’s a long story. In a nutshell, she’s now dating my baby’s father, and she obviously thinks I’m doing a terrible job of caring for my unborn child.”
Amber’s eyes widened. “Whoa. Well, that’s bullshit.”
