“Girl, you know it. If it’s okay with Sophia,” she said, turning to Sophia.
Sophia’s eyes were wide, and she nodded her head quickly, causing some of her hair to fall over her face. “Yes, please.”
“Soph,” I said. “Why don’t you get ready, and then we can go.”
She hopped out of the pool, drying off before disappearing inside the house.
Lauren glanced at the doors one more time before leaning forward. “So…?”
“So…?” I asked, mimicking her tone and inflection.
“Please tell me you took the test.”
I shook my head. “I haven’t even had time to buy a test, let alone take it.”
She rolled her eyes. “Girl. This is classic Denial 101. The sooner you know, the more options you have.”
“There really is only one option for me. If I’m pregnant…” Just saying the words aloud was enough to make my heart race and my skin heat. “IfI am, I’m keeping the baby.”
She squealed, taking my hands in hers. “Can I do the nursery?”
“Oh my god. We don’t even know if I’m having a baby.”
“But still…can I decorate it?” I appreciated her enthusiasm. I wished I could share in it. My life was too much of a mess at the moment to be cause for celebration.
“Of course.”
“What about Preston?” she asked.
I let out a deep sigh. “What about him?”
“Have you talked to him?”
I slumped my shoulders, crumpling in on myself. “No.”
“Aren’t you at all curious why he punched Cal? If I had to bet money, I’d say it was totally justified. Cal can be such a dick.”
I laughed. “Yeah, I know. No love lost between you two.”
“Divorcing him was one of the best things you’ve done. And I’d never seen you happier. At least, not until Preston.”
I blew a raspberry, staring out at the pool. “Preston did make me happy. But when push came to shove, he wasn’t there for me when I needed him most.”
“Alexis,” she said, taking my hand in hers. “He let you down, sure. But people make mistakes. Don’t you think he deserves a second chance?”
I lifted a shoulder. “I know you’re Team Preston, but I have to consider what’s best not just for me, but for Sophia.” And, if I was pregnant, this new baby too.
“He was amazing with her. Don’t let one mistake erase all the great things he did.”
“Two mistakes.”
“Whatever.” She threw her hands in the air. “I think you and I both know that whatever happened that weekend was out of character.”
I nodded, considering it. It was extremely out of character. He’d always been punctual, kind, patient. And I’d lost count of the times he’d gone above and beyond to help Sophia or me. Thinking back on it, I didn’t know what more he could’ve done to show me he loved me, us.
“I’ll think about it,” I said.
And I did. Over lunch, I thought about it. While Sophia tried on clothes for school, I thought about it. In fact, I couldn’t stop thinking about it.
