Faith’s brow wrinkled in confusion. “He seemed so … hurt.”
“Why don’t you lie back down and let me give you your massage. You can tell me all about it and you’ll feel the magic of my fingers.”
She held up her hands and waggled her fingers enticingly. Faith looked down at the table.
“I’d rather not. My boobs aren’t taking it well. Maybe I’m just PMSing or something.”
Julie frowned. “What do you mean, are they sore or what?”
“I’m just off,” Faith said tiredly. “I’m not myself, and I shouldn’t be making major life decisions when I’m missing a few brain cells, you know?”
Julie slid onto the table beside Faith and let her legs dangle as she glanced sideways at her friend. She took Faith’s hand in hers and squeezed. “This is more than getting your period, Faith. I’ve seen you PMSing, and please. It’s like Miss Sunshine stubs a toe or something. You’re disgustingly cheerful even then. So tell me what’s going on.”
“I’m just tired and yucky feeling. My boobs hurt, and I can’t stand my office in the mornings. The smell of coffee makes me want to puke.”
“Oh shit.”
Faith turned sharply. “What?”
“Uhm, Faith, honey, you know I love you but even you can’t be this dense.”
“Stop insulting me and tell me what the hell you’re talking about.”
“When was your last period?”
Faith’s brows scrunched up in concentration. “Well, crap, I don’t know.”
“I think you ought to be at the drugstore buying an EPT instead of canceling your marriage plans.”
“But I’m on birth control. I mean, I’ve been on it for a long time.”
The panic in her voice made Julie wrap an arm around her and squeeze. “Is it the end of the world if you are?”
Tears welled in Faiths eyes. “It is if Gray’s already tired of me.”
“Is the only reason you think this because he’s been late getting home from work?”
Faith shook her head. “It’s been every night. And Julie, the other guys live in the same apartment complex. They’re all getting home on time, and I talk to Pop several times a week. He’s not working late. And when Gray gets home … he’s just so tired. He hasn’t been interested…”
“In sex?” Julie prompted.
“Yeah,” Faith said in a quiet voice. “Me, sex. He comes home, he eats, he takes a shower, we go to bed. All of this before we’re even married. I hate to think how it will be once we’ve tied the knot and become an old married couple.”
“Hmm, yeah, I understand your point. I don’t blame you for being worried, but you’ve got a lot to consider here. One, you might be pregnant and it’s been my experience—not personal, mind you—that pregnancy hormones turn normal women into raving bitches. Two, these hormones might be making you a tad oversensitive. Three, there might be a perfectly reasonable explanation for Gray’s behavior. You won’t know until you talk to him. Preferably after you’ve taken that EPT test.”
Faith gave her a watery smile then threw her arms around her, hugging her tight. “You’re right, you know. You always are, Julie. I swear I don’t know what I’d do without you to keep me grounded.”
“You mean I’m a total bitch and you appreciate me for it,” Julie said dryly.
Faith pressed her lips to Julie’s cheek and smacked noisily. “You’re the best bitch I know.”
“But you can’t go in there!”
Both women jerked their heads toward the door just as it thrust open and Nathan strode in, Julie’s new massage therapist running behind him, her hair flapping like a flag.
Nathan skidded to a halt as he spied Faith, and his mouth snapped shut. A dull flush reddened his cheeks, and he hastily backed up a step.
‘Ah hell. I didn’t know you were here. I mean, I thought you were home.”
Julie raised a brow and followed the direction of his gaze to where Faith’s robe had gaped open at her breasts. She reached over and pulled it shut, which caused Nathan to look upward at the ceiling and Faith to grab both lapels with clenched fists.
“You wanted something?” Julie drawled.
Nathan redirected his gaze to Julie, his green eyes glittering with determination. “Hell, yeah, I want something. I want you to stop avoiding me.”
He turned back to Faith, who was now decent. His eyes softened when he saw the evidence of her upset. Faith did have that kicked-puppy look going on. A guy would have to be made of stone not to go all gooey around her. But what surprised Julie was that his gaze kept going back to her, and when it did, he positively sizzled.