I swallowed, hoping it wouldn’t bring on another wave of nausea.“That doesn’t sound reassuring.”
Her lip quirked.“It’s miserable, but manageable.The most important thing is staying hydrated.”
My hand drifted to my stomach of its own accord.“So the baby—”
“Is fine,” she said immediately.“Right now, they’re more resilient than you think.You just need to take care of you.”
I nodded even though my mind raced.Should I have called my doctor sooner?Was I a terrible mother for ignoring this?“I didn’t realize how bad it had gotten,” I admitted.
“It happens.It’s nothing to be embarrassed about.”
“Thank you,” I said as her words settled warm in my chest.I took out the travel toothbrush and toothpaste I had in my bag and did a quick freshening.
“I know it’s not my place, but Wyatt will be a great father.”
I spit the toothpaste out, cupped some water in my hands, and rinsed.Lori handed me a paper towel.
“He doesn’t want kids.Never has.”The confession was like a punch to the already sensitive gut.
“Some people don’t know what they want until it is presented to them, and they can’t fall back on excuses.Trust me.He’s going to flourish and be the best father to your baby.”
Tears pricked my eyes again, and damn it, I swiped at my eyelids.“Damn hormones.”
“They’re a bitch.”Lori and I laughed.
“I should probably get back out there before someone comes looking for me.”
“Same.Free night without the kids.My husband thinks that means we should act like we’re twenty-one again.”
“Well, if he happens to fall asleep in the hallway of the hotel, Wyatt is always good to help.”
She laughed.“Experience?”
“You have no idea.”
“Good to know, but hopefully, I won’t need his expertise.”
The door swung open, and Cynthia came barreling in.“There you are!They played our song, and I couldn’t find you.”
Lori patted my shoulder.“I’ll catch you later.”
I waved as she headed out, then looked back at Cynthia.“I was just talking to Lori.”
The door opened again, and a familiar song flowed in.Cynthia jumped up and down, clapping.“Such a good song!”
“Go,” I said.“I just have to wash my hands.I’ll meet you out there.”
She hesitated, looking at the door, then back to me, before she couldn’t resist the pull of the music.“Okay, but hurry.”She ran out on her heels, and I faced the sink.
I turned the water on, washed my hands, and let the cool water run over my wrists.I wanted to splash my face, but I didn’t need mascara running down my cheeks.I focused on my reflection and stared until the woman looking back at me felt real again.
I took a steadying breath and another.
“You got this,” I said to my reflection.With my shoulders rolled back and head held high, I made my way out of the bathroom and back to the dance floor.
I might be pregnant, but I could still have a good time.
It wasn’t hard to find Cynthia; she was in the middle with Wyatt as they both tried to out-dance the other.Normally, I would be right there with them, dancing the night away, not having a care in the world.
