Page 75 of Hating the Boss

“Well, good riddance,” said Brittany with disgust.

I wished I could be as angry as she was, but I just felt sad. I had ended up right where I was with my ex, blindsided and alone. What made it even worse was this whirlwind with Brad had only been two months, and I had felt more with him than I ever did with Matt. I couldn’t believe I had let myself get so swept up, after being burned so badly in the past. This thing with Brad felt different, or at least I had conned myself into believing it.

Remembering the pregnancy tests in my pocket, I took a deep breath and looked between Jessica and Brittany. “There’s one more thing,” I said warily.

“What?” they asked in a panicked unison.

I pulled the two tests from my pocket and handed one to each of them. Their eyes widened, but they didn’t say anything as if in shock.

“You’re…” whispered Jessica, breaking the silence first as she slowly tore her eyes from the test and found mine. She looked so much like my mother then, the same hazel eyes etched with worry. My heart cracked a little at the memory of her. I wished so badly she was here, especially for this.

“Pregnant,” I whispered back with a nod.

“Oh, my God…” breathed Brittany.

“And it’s…” murmured Jessica.

“His,” I confirmed. As if it would be anyone else’s.

“Does he know?”

I shook my head. “I barely found out this morning. I planned on telling him tonight. I told him I wanted to talk to him after the gala, but then everything happened.”

I remembered that Brad had told me he wanted to talk to me too, a sweet glint in his gray eyes. I wondered what it could have been. Was he going to tell me about Angela? Or was it something else? I let myself feel that small glimmer of hope that he was going to tell me this thing between us was real, before I pushed it down.

Don’t be foolish, I thought to myself.

“What are we going to do?” asked Brittany.

The “we” made me cry, knowing I wasn’t in this alone, even though it felt like it.

“Are you going to tell him?” asked Jessica.

“I don’t think so.” I shook my head.

“But you work for him!” Brittany reminded me.

“I just won’t go back. I’ll start waitressing again. I still have plenty of money saved up from the check I deposited. I’ll save it for the baby,” I said, starting to form a plan in my head. A plan I never thought I would have to concoct.

“I don’t know, Sarah…” said Jessica hesitantly. “He should know.”

“He’s the father,” said Brittany.

“I can’t,” I choked, wiping a tear away.

They both looked at each other and nodded, as if knowing not to push it any further.

“Sleep on it.” Jessica reached over and gave my hand a squeeze.

“For now, let’s put on a baking show,” said Brittany, reaching for the remote and clicking the television on. She knew those were my comfort shows.

“Thanks,” I said with a weak smile.

I turned my attention to the television, settling into the couch with my favorite blanket and watching as the contestants on the show scrambled to put the finishing touches on their intricately decorated cakes. It always amazed me what they could do with cake batter and frosting.

“I’ll get the ice cream,” said Jessica, pushing herself off the couch and into her motorized chair. With a whirr, she was already in the kitchen and rummaging through the freezer. She came back with several pints. Rocky road, mint chip, and vanilla. “We’ve got options!”

I laughed softly, looking between her and Brittany. I was so thankful to have them. I wouldn’t be able to do this without them. While I still wasn’t sure if I could do it at all, it seemed more possible now with them by my side.