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“It’ll be okay. You know he’ll still be up our asses even if he no longer works here.” Carina pulled me in for a hug. “If there’s anything you want to talk about, I’m here.”

“Thanks. But I think I need to go home and get some rest. Do you mind covering for me? And can you let Mom and Dad know?”

“Sure, will do.”

Yet the entire ride home, I couldn’t get the image of Cullen’s face from my mind, the disappointment and sadness from my words, reflected all over his expression. I didn’t mean to be so harsh sounding, so uncaring, and insensitive.

I hurt him. I hurt him badly.

But maybe now, we could both move on.

Two monthslater

I staredat the two pink lines until they blurred into two.

No, no, no.

It couldn’t be. It wasn’t possible.

I was on birth control; we used a condom…how?

I sat on the toilet seat with a thud as my body shook with nerves. It had to be a false positive. Those happened, right?

But your period is late…several weeks late.

I ignored the signs. The fatigue and the queasiness. The sore breasts and no sign of my period starting.

My breathing increased and my vision became hazy.

How would I tell my family? Oh, hey guys, I had a one-night stand and now I’m pregnant. Yay.

“Journey?” A soft tap at the bathroom door caused me to scramble to my feet. I tossed the test and box in the trash and covered it up with a few tissues. “Mom said you weren’t feeling well, so I brought you some soup.” Carina said.

“I’ll be right out.” I said, while gripping the counter and staring in the mirror. My face was pale, dark circles under my eyes, and a few new fresh breakout spots.

Well, at least I looked sick.

With a deep breath, I opened the door and smiled at Carina. “Hey, sis.”

“Ouch. You don’t look so good. Let me tuck you into bed.”

“Thanks for the compliment.” I said as I shuffled back over to my bed before climbing inside.

“Maybe it’s the flu or something?” Carina said as she tucked the blankets in around me.

“Yeah, maybe.”More like the baby flu. Ah!

“I’ll put the soup in the fridge. Just heat some up when you’re ready.”

“Thanks.” I mumbled and pulled the covers over my head.

“Oh, and by the way, Cullen came looking for you. Said he had an important message for you.”

A chill ran through me at the sound of his name. “He did?”

“Yeah. I guess he went out of town for a job, that’s why he hasn’t been around much. But he told me to tell you he said hi. He’s really cute, sis. I think he likes you.” Carina wiggled her eyebrows, and I wanted to toss a pillow at her head.

But now it made sense why I hadn’t seen him around much lately. Maybe it had nothing to do with me at all? How he wants to even say hi to me was beyond baffling. But maybe he really did just want to start over?