“Congratulations.” That sounded genuine, right? It didn’t sound like I was surprised? Which I was. The last I’d heard, she didn’t even wantkids.
“Thank you,” Holly saidsoftly.
“I so love babies,” Maria gushed. “When is yoursdue?”
“February twenty-third.” Holly’s gaze was focused on something over Maria’s shoulder, and I was almost tempted to turn and see what itwas.
Maria giggled. “Well, it’s a good thing the father isn’t a hockeyplayer.”
Holly’s gaze shot back to Maria, the horror-movie expression having returned. “Why’sthat?”
“Because chances are good he won’t be around when the baby is born,” Maria said. “He’ll be away on a road trip with his team. It’s a hazard of the sport.” Yet it hadn’t stopped her from saying yes when Bennett proposed to her a few monthsago.
Music played from Maria’s purse. She reached in and answered her phone. “Hey, babe,” she said, walking away fromus.
“So…” I began to say. But what the heck did you say to the woman whose memory you jacked off to in the shower—only to discover she was carrying another man’schild?
I paused, thinking of the right topic for thissituation.
And drew ablank.
“Trent never mentioned you’re seeing anyone,” Isaid.
She clutched the books and bear against her chest. “I’mnot.”
Eyebrow raised, I gestured at her perfectly flat stomach. “So, it was an immaculateconception?”
“No, there was definitely a man there.” She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “It’s your baby,Josh.”
Of all the things she could have told me, that wasn’t on my list ofpossibilities.
Not evenclose.
Holy.Shit.
13
Holly
Josh staredat me as if I’d announced I was going to give birth to a three-headed monster.Histhree-headedmonster.
Alrighty.
Guess that answered myquestion.
“Are you sure it’s mine?” heasked.
Guys, let me do you a favor right here and give you two hints for if you’re ever caught in the samesituation.
One—girls are a hormonal mess when pregnant. We’re fragile. Our emotions arefragile.
But we can still kick majorarse.
Two—never ask us if we’re sure you’re the father. I mean, if we have the reputation of enjoying sex with numerous partners during the time we had sex with you, then by all means question the child’spaternity.
But othertimes…
“Given you’re the only man I’ve slept with in ten months—yes, you’re the father. Or maybe it really was an immaculate conception. If that’s the case, Ryan Reynolds might be thefather.”
