“So,” she says, and she looks back between Blake and me. “You two are going to show me a good night, right? Take me to a Beverly Hills club, maybe? Maybe then I can meet a rich so and so, and get myself set up?”
I still haven’t told her yet. I keep meaning to, but every time I am about to say it, she barrels forth with a comment about being single, or how she misses me, or how she can’t wait until I am back. I thought Blake was being silly for not telling Ben and Janet sooner. Now I see how hard it is.
But Blake is my rock. He sees that I am struggling and reaches across the table and takes my hand.
“So, Amy,” he says, turning to address her. “Carrie has something she wants to tell you.”
“Oh,” Amy says. “Does it involve a reason why your glass is still full? Chug that drink, and then tell me.”
“Actually,” I begin. I take a deep breath and prepare myself. It is time. “I can’t drink that, Amy. And I haven’t drunk anything all night. Blake has been drinking my half.”
“What?”
“I’m pregnant.” I say it quickly, and I hold Amy’s stare as I do. I want her to know that I am being serious for once, and that this isn’t a joke.
She looks back from me to Blake. Blake is holding my hand, and he lifts it to his mouth and kisses it. I put my hand on his lap and give it a rub.
“You’re pregnant?” She asks.
“That’s right,” I say, with more resolution. “Definitely pregnant. With Blake’s baby, obviously. I’ve been meaning to tell you.”
“Oh my God!” Amy screams. She leaps from her chair, runs around the table and pulls me into a massive hug. “I can’t believe it. This is amazing. This is wonderful news!”
She has let go of me just long enough to get the words out. But now that she has, she pulls me into another bone-crunching hug.
“You’re not mad?” I ask.
“Mad? How could I be mad? My best friend is having a baby. Which means I’m going to be an aunt. Which means I’m going to cry.”
And sure enough, tears begin to pour down her cheek. She bats at her eyes, trying to fan them off.
“I’ll let you two talk.” Blake stands and heads to the bathroom.
“Seriously,” Amy says as she calms down. She walks back to her seat, falling into it and letting out a long sigh. “I am so happy for you. My heart hurts.”
“I’m so happy that you are. I was worried that you might not approve.”
I look back to the bathroom door as I do. I don’t want Blake to overhear. Amy is aware of who Blake is, and if anyone is going to have it in for him, it’s going to be her.
“Well, to be honest, if you had told me this before tonight, I probably wouldn’t be so behind it.”
“Yeah?” I ask.
I’m not that surprised. She and Blake have gotten on really well tonight, better than I could have ever hoped. It’s as if he knew he would have to win her over.
“Well, yeah, after what he did.” I look over my shoulder at the still-closed bathroom door. “But he seems like a great guy. He’s handsome, he’s funny and he is obviously a good provider. Like what’s the deal? Are you two getting married or what?”
“Whoa,” I say quickly. “Hold on there. We haven’t discussed that yet.”
“Well, excuse me for thinking that two people having a baby together might be getting married,” she scoffs. “Either way, you mark my words. I know things, and I know people. I’m a hairdresser after all. And you two are going to be together for a while. Longer than that even.”
“You think so?” I ask, unable to suppress my smile.
“I know so. Forever and ever. You heard it here first. Now if you don’t mind.” She leans across the table and picks up the very full vodka-mixed drink that sits in front of me. “Seeing as you can’t have this.”
She takes a big gulp and then another.
I pay her hardly any attention. I look from the still-closed bathroom door to Blake’s empty seat, and I smile a big, goofy and unbridled smile. I don’t want to jinx it, and I have tried not to think of it, but as if Amy’s words have let the cat out of the bag, now I can’t think of anything but. I love Blake. Plain and simple, and I can truly see us spending the rest of our lives together. So much so that I don’t even bother to tell Amy about the pregnancy contract.
I just hope that Blake feels the same way.
Chapter 42
BLAKE
They probably think that I can’t hear them talking, but I can. It isn’t on purpose, either, but it just kind of happened. I finished up in the bathroom, washed my hands and went to open the door, and that’s when I heard them talking.