HOLY SHIT, HOLY shit, holy shit.
I stare at my phone then back in the mirror. No way. It can’t be, can it? My brain counts backward. Four weeks. Nah, no chance. I was alone four weeks ago. See, overreacting as usual. Wait…
What was I doing two weeks ago?
A memory creeps into my brain. Oh, I totally remember what I was doing. My cheeks flush at the vision now playing out in my head. That was one hell of a night…and morning…and following afternoon. I vaguely remember champagne, whip cream and… holy shit, handcuffs? A loud, boisterous laugh escapes my mouth. Yep, one hell of a night. Could it be? Could I be?
My heartbeat starts to accelerate, as the reality of the situation hits me head on. Oh my God. I totally am. It’s only been three months since things have been good. Are we ready for this? Is he ready? Shit…
Am I ready?
`My arm accidentally runs against my chest. Goddamn that hurts.
Yep, better get ready.
MY FEET TAKE brisk steps as I make my way to Jules apartment. I don’t think I have ever walked so fast in my life, my impending fate exciting me to the core.
A light sweat breaks out across my forehead the closer I get to my destination, the crisp fall air doing nothing to calm the excitement radiating from my body. As I approach the building, I nod my head in a familiar gesture to the doorman and then head over to the elevator. Once inside I press the floor and wait for the doors to close. My foot nervously taps until the elevator arrives on Jules floor. Heading down the hall to her apartment, I knock once before Jules yells for me to come inside.
I’m greeted by a foul smell permeating through the air when I walk inside her apartment and my stomach turns over. Why is she cooking again? I’ve noticed a trend over the last few months. The happier I become, the more distant Jules appears, her eyes looking more and more hollow as the days pass. She often seems tired, worn out . Now, the tell-tale signs that something is amiss hangs in the air, a baking monstrosity gone wrong. Jules only bakes when she needs to think and, unfortunately, she has been baking a lot .
“Jules, where are you?”
“Ava? What are you doing here?” Her voice is far off, echoing through the hallway that leads to her bedroom.
“I’m late,” I breathe out, my heart still hammering in my chest from hauling ass to get here.
“Late for what?” She turns the corner and her gaze drops to the plastic CVS pharmacy bag I’m holding.
“Late, late.”
“Oh my God, are you serious?” Her mouth hangs open and she’s so still it’s as if she’s frozen in place.
“Jules, I’m freaking out. Do you think it’s too soon? Oh my God, what will I do if I’m pregnant? Alexandre just moved back in two months ago. Do you think we’re rushing this?”
“Okay, Ava, calm down. Take the test and then we can discuss the rest. This could all be a moot point.”
I walk past her and into her bathroom. She follows directly behind me. “Ahem, do you mind?”
“What?”
“Can I please have some privacy?”
She rolls her eyes. “Are you serious? I have seen so much worse then you popping a squat.”
“You are such a loser. Now leave.”
Jules shuts the door behind her, giving me some much-needed privacy. I pull out the box and briefly read the instructions, preparing to take the test that could change my life forever.
One minute later, Jules and I are ogling the little white stick waiting for something anything to happen.
Nothing yet.
“How long do we have to wait?” she asks as her crossed knee shakes.
“A few more minutes. I feel kind of silly sitting here just watching it. Tell me something. What’s going on with you?”
“Nothing.” She shrugs, but I can tell she’s hiding something. The fine line that forms when she is upset is present between her brows.
My eyes squint. “Come on, spill.”
Jules coughs, clearing her throat. “It’s Gabe. I don’t know, things are weird. He… Well,
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