Quite literally my opposite in every way.
More than half a foot shorter than my five-nine frame. Curvy everywhere I was...well...not. Freckles decorating her pale skin and bright red hair falling to her waist in subtle waves, whereas I looked like I’d been born and raised on the beach with my naturally tanned skin and blonde hair...that probably looked like a wreck where it sat on the top of my head in a messy bun, since I’d been driving with the windows down. She was once again looking adorable in a way I could never pull off, in a graphic tee and jeans. Then again, she had the shirt knotted at her waist and, as always, had paired it all with stilettos and jewelry.
I’d worn heels exactly once, and that was for Briggs and Lainey’s wedding.
The only jewelry I owned was a gold band that was far too large for any of my fingers, and it was hanging from a chain around my neck. Not that anyone needed to know that.
And in my sports top and leggings, I looked like I’d come from the gym—since that’s where I’d been when I’d gotten the call from Briggs.
“Right,” Chloe said with a nod, her smile as bright as ever, even though I just realized I’d been standing there, staring at her. “Well, good to?—”
“I had a meeting with Briggs,” I said over her.
Her eyes widened at that. I wasn’t sure if it was what I’d said, that I’d cut her off, or that I’d spoken to her at all.
Something about that had a seed of guilt blooming in my stomach because I really didn’t have an issue with her. She did her job well, and she was great for Thatch.
It was just that Gray had set his sights on her.
Like every other woman he saw.
“Is he home?” she asked, her lips pursing for a second as she glanced at the drinks in her hands. “I’m taking Lainey some tea because she hasn’t been feeling well, but I thought he was out. I should get something for him too.”
“I’m sure he’ll just appreciate you thinking of Lainey.”
Chloe glanced up at me, seeming to consider that, but then excitement stole across her face all over again. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”
I seriously doubt that.
Chloe was the human form of sunshine. Again, I was the human equivalent of an aggressive dog. There was no way I was thinking whatever she was thinking.
“Uh . . .”
She quickly glanced around the shop before lowering her voice. “Lainey’stotallypregnant.”
My head shifted back. I wasn’t sure what I’d expected Chloe to say, but it hadn’t been that. “What makes you say that?”
Chloe made a face like it should’ve been obvious without being condescending. “She hasn’t beenfeeling wellfor a couple weeks now, but Asher keeps saying she isn’t sick.” She gave me an expectant, ecstatic look.
One I didn’t know how to reciprocate because I was wondering if I was truly that terrible at being a woman.
I was sure a normal woman would’ve put two and two together—Chloe clearly had. But I knew next to nothing about pregnancies, other than they happened and how.
Wait . . .
No, because . . . no.
Was this something I should’ve been worrying over?
No, because I would’ve known, right? Women surely knew. Chloe even knew aboutLaineybecause Lainey had been sick. And I’d been fine. Other than losing my best friend and now my job, I’d been...well, normal.
And normal meant not pregnant, right?
Unfortunately, I’d blocked out everything they’d taught us in health class because, in my family,we don’t talk about that; even thinking about it makes you weak, anddon’t bother coming home if you find yourself pregnant.
We hadn’t talked about a lot in our house. Feelings, my love for painting, when puberty hit, when Mom died...
Even during the times I’d found my mom all alone and had been allowed mysmall momentsto break down, it’d only been that: a smallmoment. She’d always only given me exactly one minute to cry before telling me,“That’s enough. Force the rest back and be done with it.”
