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When I pull up to the restaurant, I don’t see Lyla’s car, so I stay in mine. Pulling my phone from my purse, I check to see if maybe I got lucky and she canceled. But there are no texts. I’m about to send her a message when a car rolls up beside me. From the driver’s seat, Lyla waves excitedly at me.
Here we go. No turning back now.
She’s out of her car, coming around to mine, when I finally sling my purse over my head and slip out. As soon as I turn to face Lyla, her eyes drop to the bump that’s still noticeable even under my biggest, baggiest sweater.
“Oh my god,” she whispers, her wide green eyes searching mine. “You…you’re pregnant?”
Nodding, I rub a hand over the swell. “I’m pregnant.”
“Holy shit! You’re like…big. How far along? Who is the father? Why didn’t you tell me!”
“That’s a lot of questions,” I say with a forced smile. “How about we go inside and order some food, then I’ll fill you in.”
There’s thankfully no wait, so we’re seated in a booth within minutes. A booth that is nicer and cleaner than the diner where Isaac and I would eat…
Lyla orders food when the waiter comes to take our drink order, so I do the same.
The guy has barely taken a step away when Lyla leans her elbow on the table. “Start talking. Now.”
Taking a deep breath, I blurt it all out. “I’m twenty weeks along. The father is – was – a one-night stand from the fall who won’t be involved. I didn’t tell you because, well, I guess I was embarrassed. I didn’t mean for this to happen.”
“Of course you didn’t.” Lyla reaches across the table to cover my hand with hers. “Even though it was unexpected, are you…happy?”
“Yes.” I answer that question truthfully. “I’ve always wanted to be a mother, so…”
“So, it’s happening a little sooner than you wanted, but it’s still wonderful!”
“Yeah, it is,” I agree with a smile and attempt to blink back tears. When I fail, I unroll my utensils to dab at my eyes with the napkin.
“Why didn’t you tell me before now? You know I’ll help you. Whatever you need.”
“I know. I’m sorry. I didn’t want to tell you over text, and you’ve been busy with your new man,” I remind her.
“Not too busy for you! For this. This is…it’s huge!” she exclaims. “How are you feeling?”
I can’t tell her the truth about that one. Lovesick, lonely, sad. Instead of how I’m feeling emotionally, I tell her, “I had some night sickness, but it finally passed. That’s another reason why I couldn’t see you. I literally had my head in a toilet every night.”
“That sounds awful!”
“It was, but I survived. Now, I’m mostly just tired after I get home from work, too lazy to do anything.”
“You could move in with me and Barrett,” Lyla blurts out. “Our new place has a guest room.”
“No. I couldn’t do that. I’ll be fine in the town house. Brooke will help, and you can visit.”
“I will. Absolutely. All the time.”
It’s going to be hard not telling her it’s her half brother, but Lyla and Brooke are all I have. I can’t lose my best friend.
For the next hour, Lyla and I catch up on how things are going with her and Barrett, his nonprofit, which Lyla has been thrilled to help with. And then she asks, “Do you want to come see our place? It’s nearby, right across from Bruised Not Broken.”
Since it’s only a few miles away, I tell her, “Sure. Yeah, I would like that,” because I’m not ready to leave yet. I’ve missed this, missed her, our friendship, telling each other everything.
From now on, I hope things will get back to normal, other than my enormous lie protruding from my sweater.
* * *
Isaac
