“Whatever the test says, I’m here. So are Talia and Margot. Your family. Whatever you decide, we’re here. Your body, your choice. You have options.” She moves to crouch in front of me, taking one of my shaky hands in hers. “You’re not alone for a single second.”
“I-I don’t know if I’m ready to be a mom.” My voice frays with each breath.
She dips her chin. “That’s okay. If you decide being a mom isn’t for you right now—or ever—then it’s your call.”
My bottom lip wobbles. “What about the dad?”
“We’ll get to that stage. One step at a time, okay?”
I blink at the test, vision slightly blurry.
Then, I turn it over.
The drip of the tap and thumping of my heart are the only sounds in the bathroom.
The silence stretches until Parker clears her throat.
Our wide eyes lock.
“What’s your gut telling you?” she asks gently.
“That I need to speak to my sister.” I blow out a long, shaky breath, gaze drifting back to the two parallel lines. “And to find Warren.”
TEN
HARRIET
With over twomillion residents in the Nashville metropolitan area, a first name and no specific location doesn’t give me much to work with on my search for Warren. Even his job in marketing is useless. Does he work remotely? What industry? Shit, or was it advertising?
Plus, he could’ve lied about his name.
I should’ve taken a photo of his driver’s license, like Margot suggested.
The girls have been my rocks. Parker stayed over for three nights, Margot delivered cookies she and Willow baked, and Talia called almost every marketing company in Nashville and scoured the internet for my baby daddy. We even tried the motel he stayed at, but as expected they couldn’t reveal guest information.
They’ve let me cry, panic, get angry, and go through all the other thousand emotions associated with finding out you’re unexpectedly pregnant with a stranger’s baby.
It took six positive pregnancy tests for the news to fully sink in, and I’m still no closer to knowing what I want to do.With my family’s imminent arrival in town, some big sister intuition might help guide me.
There’s a knock on my apartment door, and my stomach dips with nerves.
Rising from my spot on the sofa, I pad across the open plan space.Not enough sage for this shitreads the sign the girls got me for my birthday, and ain’t it accurate?
I asked Johanna to meet me here alone, leaving my brother-in-law, dad, and the kids at the hotel. As much as I want to see my two nieces, today calls for a child-free meeting. My request definitely spiked her suspicions.
As a kid, she made it easy for me to look up to her, especially after we lost Mom unexpectedly when I was nine. We’ve switched roles over the years, leaning on the other when life’s challenges grew tough.
When Johanna’s navy blue eyes meet mine, dark brows scrunched in concern, everything I’ve felt since finding out I’m pregnant hits me with the force of a hurricane. Her worry deepens when the first tear cascades down my cheek.
“Oh, Harriet.” She drops her purse on the floor and opens her arms wide. “Whatever it is, it’s going to be fine.”
She’s all go, coaxing me back to my pile of blankets on the sofa. She moves around my dinky kitchen in a flurry of movements, somehow washing my crusty dishes while waiting for the kettle to boil.
She nudges a steaming cup of tea into my hands, a soft, reassuring smile on her lips. “Drink. It’s freezing in here.”
That makes me cry harder. “The furnace is on the fritz.”
Joining me on the sofa, she nestles in close. I don’t give her time to get comfortable before the truth escapes.
