I shook my head. I hadn’t needed it for so long, I stopped taking it when my prescription ran out, and that was eight or nine months ago.
“Is your period late?” Maeve asked.
My shoulders came up to my ears. “I wasn’t really paying attention.”
“Have you had your period since you and Luke have been together?” Claire asked.
I pretended to think about it, but honestly, I knew the answer in an instant.
Apparently, my nonanswer was answer enough because Claire shot upright. “We need to get you a test. ASAP.”
My head snapped around the restaurant in panic. I leaned in close, Maeve and Claire both leaning to the center of the table as well. “I can’t go get a pregnancy test. This town will talk. Fast.”
“Well, you need to,” Maeve said.
“We’ll go with you. I’ll buy it. I don’t care if people talk,” Claire offered.
“And what about Reid?” I asked Claire. If word got back to him that Claire had bought a pregnancy test, he would freak.
“I’ll tell him I bought it for a friend. It’s true,” she replied.
My glare told her what I thought of that plan. “You only have two friends, and we’re sitting right here.”
“Hey,” she huffed through her laughter. It was true, and she knew it. “You can always schedule a doctor visit and let them examine you.”
Ugh. “Fine. We’ll get a test, but we’re buying it out of town.”
“Deal.” Claire nodded.
“I’m so excited!” Maeve exclaimed.
* **
“I can’t be pregnant,” I said for approximately the one-hundredth time. “It’s too soon. Luke just got out of a marriage. The police department is at risk of being thrown into upheaval. He doesn’t need a pregnant girlfriend. Oh my God, am I his girlfriend? We hadn’t really put a label on us.”
“Scarlett, breathe. Take a breath, hon,” Claire said. “Good. In for four seconds… hold… now exhale slowly. Good.”
Claire’s breathing exercises helped to bring down my racing heart.
“Luke is in love with you, Scarlett. Whatever the test comes back with, he’s going to be right there with you.” Maeve rubbed my back softly.
“I know. You’re right.” I pulled my shoulders back. I could do this. Luke and I loved each other. We would be okay regardless of what the test said.
“Alright. Ready to pee on a stick now?” Claire asked.
“I drank the other night.” I spun around in a frenzy, looking between my two best friends. “Oh my God, I can’t be pregnant. I’m already a horrible mother. What if I did something to the baby without knowing?”
“You don’t even know if there is a baby,” Claire said gently.
“And I’m sure you and the hypothetical baby will be fine. A lot of women drink before they find out they’re pregnant,” Maeve added. “You are not going to be a terrible mother. I’ve seen you with Jane and Veda. You will make a fantastic mother, whether it’s now or in the future.”
“Let’s find out, okay? We’ll be waiting right here.”
“Okay.” This time, I did make it into the bathroom.
I left the test on the bathroom counter and waited for the results with Maeve and Claire.
After the longest two minutes of my life, I turned the test over, my friends hovering over my shoulder to look at it too.
