“Yeah, like a few rooms away from where my father and the rest of Manhattan’s elite were eating dinner.”
Erica let out a laugh, while Sadie’s cheeks turned a shade pinker. Juliet just sat and patiently listened, knowing the story already.
“We continued sleeping together after that. It was about the only time we really liked each other or got along. It was stupid. I can’t believe I let things go on as long as I did, when there was so much at risk. My job.Hisjob.”
“He must have been really good,” said Erica, waggling her eyebrows.
“Really good doesn’t cut it,” I said. “But we ended things because it got really complicated…”
“What happened?” asked Sadie.
I took a deep breath and shut my eyes, not ready to see their expressions when I delivered the next two words.
“I’m pregnant,” I said wincing.
I heard two audible gasps and opened one eye to see both my friends looking at me wide-eyed. But then they threw their arms around me, squealing, and shaking me excitedly. It wasn’t exactly the reaction I was expecting, but I soaked it in. It was really the first time that I felt safe and supported in mypregnancy. I laughed as I hugged them back, tears streaming down my cheeks.
Happy tears because after I had made my pros and cons list, even though it was really just a list of cons, I realized how much I already loved the baby. There was no way I could give it up. I was going to be a mother, and as terrified as I was, it felt right. And right now, with my friends surrounding me with love and positivity, I felt a little less scared.
“We’re going to be aunties. Again!” they said excitedly.
They went on to ask all the details about the baby. How far along I was, who my doctor was, and if I had names already picked out. It felt good to talk about it so positively, just fueling my nervous excitement.
“And Chandler?” asked Sadie hesitantly, probably scared to ruin the good mood, but it was a necessary question.
I just shook my head sadly.
“I don’t think he wants to be a part of the baby’s life. Or mine,” I said softly.
“Good!” said Erica brazenly.
“It probably is for the better. We can hardly stand each other unless we are naked. I can’t imagine parenting together. Plus, my father hates him now…”
“Your dad knows?” spat out Juliet.
I nodded. “He came by today. Apparently, someone called and congratulated him on becoming a grandpa.”
My friends all groaned.
“I know,” I said in agreeance. “It was a disaster. I lost my job and my father will never forgive me.”
“You don’t know that,” said Juliet reassuringly. “He just needs time to cool off probably.”
“Maybe.” I shrugged. “But you didn’t see his face.”
I tried to block it from my memory for risk of crying again. I wasn’t sure if I had any tears left anyway.
“The worst part is, I keep wondering what’s going to happen to Chandler. Aftereverything, a part of me cares. It’s really annoying.”
“Maybe you care for him more than you want to admit,” said Sadie, chewing on the inside of her cheek.
I didn’t admit it out loud, but she was right.
Erica clapped her hands just then, as if waking us up from all the serious talk. She stood from the couch and put her hands on her hips.
“You know what we need?” she asked with a smile.
“What?” I asked curiously.
