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A mischievous grin spread across her face and there was a twinkle in her eye to match. “Maybe you're pregnant.”
“Please, don't joke about that,” I said.
A chill ran down my spine and I had to physically keep myself from shuddering. I never made it to the clinic for the morning after pill after I'd been with Eli. There had just been too much going on and I just sort of figured the chances were slim to none. I know, I know, it only took one time, but seriously, what were the chances?
Sarah's smile fell, and she gave me a knowing look. “We work at a hospital,” she said. “Let me run a quick pregnancy test for you, just to ease your mind.”
“What if it doesn't ease my mind though?”
“Are you saying that because you want to be pregnant,” she asked, arching an eyebrow at me. “Or because you're pretty sure you are?”
“I honestly don't know,” I grumbled.
As we were talking, a familiar voice from behind took me by surprise.
“Hey, Hannah, just getting off work?”
“I am,” I said.
I turned to find Chris standing there, a bright smile on his face. No one should be that happy at six in the morning. It wasn't anything close to being natural. Still, his smile was contagious, and I felt myself warming up to it. Much to my own dismay.
“Want to grab a bite to eat? I'm just getting off too, and thought I'd see if my favorite nurse was hungry as well,” he said.
I cringed. “I can't right now –”
Sarah nudged me, hard, in the back. Seriously though, she was right. I needed that pregnancy test. I needed to know if I was pregnant with Eli's child before I could entertain the thought of going out on a date with another man. Even though it was tempting, I was hesitant. I knew I needed someone or something to get my mind off my stepbrother, and Chris was a nice, handsome man. Not that I felt anything for him, but that might come in time, right? How would I know if I didn't at least give him a shot?
“I mean, I'm not feeling well. I doubt I could keep breakfast down,” I said. “Food poisoning.”
“Oh, I'm sorry,” he said, looking absolutely crestfallen. “Maybe another time?”
“Yes, definitely.”
His smile brightened again and I realized I'd just given him the first affirmative reply since he'd started asking me out. Persistence apparently paid off.
“Great,” he said. “I'll look forward to it.”
Chris bounded off, going on his way merrily, leaving me standing there and Sarah shaking her head.
“I guess that rules out one potential father, huh?” she teased. “It's a shame though, you two would make some beautiful babies.”
I laughed and playfully smacked her in the arm. “Shut up,” I said.
She shrugged. “It's the truth,” she said. “What do you want me to do about it?”
“Well, if I do happen to be pregnant – which I very highly doubt – I already know who the father is,” I said dryly, rolling my eyes. “And no, it's not Chris.”
“Pity. He would most definitely not be too shabby as a baby daddy,” she winked. “But come on, let's get you a pregnancy test before the next big rush comes in.”
I groaned, but she was right. Better to know than to keep stressing about it. At least I could nip one of my big problems in the bud, and then tackle my father and the drug thing after that. As Sarah led me back, I had another idea. A fleeting one. I pulled out Chris's number and texted him, asking him to meet me for dinner that night.
Before I confronted my dad, I could get his take on things. Given his profession, he might have some valuable insight that could help me. Besides, a nice dinner with a law-abiding, stable career man wouldn't be the worst thing that's happened to me in ages.
As I thought about it, I even felt myself getting a little excited – but I couldn't be sure it was about the date. The idea of getting some closure on this drug problem, and more importantly, my dad's role in it was what excited me the most.
He texted me back moments later, happily agreeing to dinner, and I went into the bathroom, cup in hand to prepare for the pregnancy test. Once that came back negative, I was free to date whomever I wanted to date. Free to start a whole new chapter in my life. Free to get a new start.
At least that's what I could hope for, right?
