“I don’t think I can wait,” Kelsey admitted.
“Good, because I don’t think I can, either.” Avery sighed before springing up off the bed. “You two wait here. I’ll see if they sell home pregnancy tests in the boutique. If not, I’ll grab a cab to a local pharmacy and see what I can find.”
“We should probably cancel our reservations at the tequila tasting tonight, too,” Emma said to no one in particular, her gaze bouncing all around the room as if she might hit upon some magic solution if she looked hard enough.
Kelsey began crying again. “I’m sorry I’m ruining this trip for you guys.”
“Don’t be silly.” Emma sat down and hugged her. Her gentle voice, full of sincerity and concern, made Kelsey cry harder. “We wouldn’t even be here if it weren’t for you. And anyway, is this really such terrible news? You’ve always wanted to be a mother. If you are pregnant, we will look at the bright side and celebrate together.”
“Thanks, Em.” Kelsey wiped her eyes and squeezed Emma. “You always want everyone to be happy.”
Of course, Avery wasn’t talking sunshine and rainbows. She smoothed her ponytail and then set her hands on her hips. “First things first. Let’s get the facts. Then we’ll celebrate, one way or the other, I guess. Though the idea of Trip being your baby daddy doesn’t exactly make me want to throw a party.”
Avery had always been a bit wary of Trip, worried about his influence over Grey. Not shocking, considering Trip hadn’t been exactly supportive of how Grey had let his feelings for Avery influence certain business and financial decisions this past year.
But while Trip may have projected a certain carefree attitude about life and women, Kelsey knew there was more to him.
She’d spent the past two days thinking about the way he’d wanted to kick the ass of whoever made her cry, how he’d bought her Cowboy and the beautiful hair combs, and all the nice things he’d said to her during the past several weeks. Now she twisted the ends of her hair in her finger and stared at the ground, speaking softly. “He’s not so bad. There’s more to him than what he shows most of the world.”
“I thought you hated him after the whole Mason debacle?” Avery cocked her head.
“I was embarrassed and confused and angry.” Kelsey looked from Avery to Emma, who continued to offer an understanding smile. “But he hunted me down to apologize the next day. He told me he cares about me . . . a lot.”
“So you’re going to forgive him, just like that?” Avery’s mouth hung open in dismay.
“I think he beat up his brother because he thought Mason would hurt me. And I think those accusations Mason made about what Trip told his parents were taken out of context to make it all sound worse than Trip meant them. I guess, yes, I believe Trip’s explanation.” Kelsey looked from Avery to Emma and back again. “And if I’m pregnant, he and I are going to have to talk. At the very least, we need to be friends.”
“Oh, no. I see you spinning dangerous fantasies, Kelsey.” Avery shook her head in frustration. “You think he’s going to embrace this news and marry you now?”
Embrace it? Hardly. At first he’d probably freak out. Worse, he might even blame her, or accuse her of trapping him. The dark thoughts caused a shudder to travel down her spine.
No. He’d always been fair and up-front. For whatever reason, she had faith in him to be reasonable.
With that thought, she met Avery’s skeptical gaze. “I know you think I’m always a fool when it comes to men, but Trip gets me and likes me anyway. I believe I matter to him, even if I know he’d hesitate to make a major commitment.”
“Hesitate?” Avery crossed her arms. “That’s a nice euphemism.”
“Like Grey’s so perfect, Avery?” Kelsey shot a cool stare at her friend, then noticed Emma wince. “It’s true, Em. Grey was the one who coined that ugly nickname.”
“I know.” Avery blushed. “I’m sorry. That was awful. Grey has a terrible habit of giving nicknames without thinking about it.”
Kelsey waved her hand in the air. “Boomerang is the least of my worries right now. Let’s just find a test so I can know, one way or the other, if I’m having a baby.”
“Mason, you’re not pressing charges against your brother.” Ross Cutler’s tone brooked no defiance as he sat at the dining table between his two sons. “I don’t want to hear another word about it.”