Page 158 of Breaking Hollywood

“You can have something stronger,” I tell her. “Champagne? We are celebrating.”

“I’m fine.” She smiles.

She never drinks around me, no matter how often I tell her she can. But, honestly, her doing that just tells me how much she loves and supports me.

Our drinks come, and we place our food order.

I start to talk to her about a fundraising idea I have for Healing the Breaks, but I can tell she’s not fully listening. She seems distracted.

“You okay?” I ask. “You just seem a little off your game.”

“I’m fine. I was just…I have your gift, and I was going to wait until the end of dinner to give it to you. But I think maybe I should just give it to you now.”

“Okay, sure. But, just to let you know, I don’t have your gift with me. I’m giving it to you later.”

She cocks a brow. “It’s not your dick with a ribbon wrapped around it again, is it?”

I give her a serious look. “No. You know I never give the same gift twice.”

I grin, and she laughs, but it doesn’t quite reach her eyes, which is weird for Speedy because, when she smiles, she smiles with her whole face.

“You’re not disappointed that I’m giving you your gift later, are you?”

“No, of course not.” She picks her clutch up from the floor and seems to hesitate. Then, she reaches inside and pulls out a small white rectangular box. She places it in the center of the table between us. “I hope you like it.”

“You know I will. You have the best taste. You picked me, didn’t you?”

She doesn’t laugh, which bugs me.

I pick the box up and give it a shake. It rattles.

“Okay, I’m guessing, watch.” I go to lift the lid off and pause when she says my name. “What?”

“Look, if you don’t like what’s inside that box, it’s fine. I swear. I mean, I know we both said in the past that we wanted this at some point, but we never said when, and I don’t know when there’s ever a right time, but—”

“Speedy?”

“What?”

“Stop talking, and let me open it.”

“Okay.”

I pull the lid off and stare down at the white stick inside the box.

My entire being freezes.

“You’re pregnant?” The words feel like they rush out of me. I lift my eyes to hers.

She bites her lip and nods. “Seven weeks. I had it confirmed at the doctor’s a few days ago. I thought I’d wait to surprise you. I just hope it’s a good surprise.” Her face is screwed up with nerves as she chews on her lip.

“Babe, it’s a good surprise. It’s the best fucking surprise ever.”

“Really?”

“Really.” I smile so big that I feel like my face might crack. “Jesus, Ava.” I get up from my chair and sweep her up into my arms, hugging her tight. “I’m so fucking happy right now.”

“God, I’m so relieved,” she whispers. “I was so worried.”