“I know it’s rash, but when he proposed, I couldn’t say no,” she said breathlessly. She blinks like she’s trying not to cry. She looks overwhelmed and excited. Her lower lip trembled and for a moment I think she’s going to cry or reach for me.
“How long have you known him?” I asked softly. I do not want to know. But I do want to know. Why is this so complicated.
“I … that doesn’t matter.” She sighed. “The point is, we’re getting married.”
“I mean, if you love him,” I said and shrugged, “follow your heart.” I want to tell her to run, but I can’t.
“I’m pregnant, Liv,” she burst out, and the color drained from my face. “We’re getting married because I’m pregnant.” If I could make time stand still, I would have done so in that matter. In fact, I would have jumped into a UFO with aliens and let them take me wherever they wanted to take me in that moment. I’m not sure how I didn’t fall to the ground.
ET or whoever else is out there, call me, I think to myself. Call me and take me to your planet.
Because right now, I’d rather be anywhere but here.
CHAPTER FIVE
“Shut the front door,” I said in shock after I gasped for breath. Disappointed courses through me. I am trash.
“I know.” She sat down on my bed, and I heard a groan. “Who thought I’d be having a shotgun wedding?”
“Not me,” I said, heart racing.
Oh my God, my sister is pregnant with Mr. Tongue’s baby, and we’re going to be ona trashy talk show next week. Everyone in the world will know my secret and I will have to go into hiding.
I needed to call Alice right away. I needed to talk to someone about what was going on. The man I had slept with the week before was about to have a child with my sister. Shit! I’d slept with my soon-to-be niece’s or nephew’s dad. What did that make me? Some sort of Jezebel?
“I don’t know him well.” She made a face. “Am I making a mistake marrying him?”
“I just met him, Gabby. I don’t know what to say.” I wanted to shout,Don’t marry him! Don’t marry him!
He was obviously a big jerk who couldn’t keep it in his pants, but now he was going to be a father, to my sister’s kid, and I didn’t know what to say. Did I want to ruin their family before the kid was even born?
“When did he propose to you?” I asked softly.
If it was before he slept with me, I would tell her, but if it was after, I wouldn’t.
“Two days ago.” She offered me a small smile and showed me her fingers. “Do you like the ring?”
“It’s big,” I said, not knowing what else to say.
The ring was beautiful. It was the sort of ring I’d like to receive when I got engaged. If that ever happened.
“It was his grandmother’s,” she said softly and gazed at it. “I’m not keeping this one. He’s going to take me to Tiffany and let me choose one I like better.”
“You don’t like that?” I frowned as I stared at her. “It’s gorgeous, and it was a part of his family. That means something, Gabby.”
“I don’t want a used ring.” She jumped up and frowned.
“You can’t look at it like it’s used.”
“I want my own ring. I’ve already seen the one I want; it’s a five-carat princess cut diamond, set in platinum, and about thirty grand.”
“Gabby,” I said, shocked. “That’s a lot of money.”
“So what? He can afford it.”
“Oh, Gabby.” I sighed. “Can I ask you something?”
“Yeah. What?”
