Jess grins at me. “So all that stress was for nothing, then.”
I laugh. “Sorry if I drove you a little crazy.”
“What are best friends for if we can’t drive each other a little crazy from time to time?”
Jess is about to say something else, but then she sighs as her eyes flit over my shoulder.
I turn, knowing I’m right before I even see him. Dirk, the first time we’ve seen each other since the standoff a few weeks ago. He looks at us, and then his eyes flit down and he drops into a chair at the far end of the cafeteria, as though wanting to be as far away from us as possible.
“I guess whatever your fiancé said really worked,” Jess says.
I shrug, turning back to her. “I guess so. He was so embarrassed about that, threatening Dirk with his money. But I’m so glad Dirk didn’t swing on him.”
Jess frowns. “Dirk is pretty strong, even if he is a dick.”
“It’s not that. I’ve visited Max in the gym a couple of times, bringing him lunch, meeting before a date. And this one time I snuck in while they were sparring. It was scary, Jess. This man was Dirk’s size, even more muscular, and he was charging at Max… and then Max just grabbed him and put him on his ass. He made it look easy.”
Jess laughs. “I would’ve paid to see him do that to Dirk. But then, it’s probably for the best.”
“Agreed. The last thing I need is my fiancé in prison.”
Jess’s coster vibrates, letting her know her food is ready. She narrows her eyes, looking closely at me. “You didn’t order anything yesterday either.”
“I’ve completely lost my appetite. I think it’s from stressing about the test.”
“Hmm.”
Jess gives me a strange look when she returns with her tray. I laugh, shaking my head. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“I’m just going to come right out and say it. Have you had your period?”
My mind spins as I think back over the last few weeks. Everything has been a tornado of change and love, all blurring together into one big fuzzy ball. I’ve been meeting with mom and dad – dad being supportive all the way – studying, spending time with Max. We’ve even managed to play some Star Search together…
And yet, Jess is right.
I didn’t even think about it.
“A while ago,” I mutter.
Jess smiles. I glare at her. “Don’t. This doesn’t mean anything yet.”
“I know how badly you both want this.”
I nod. She’s right. I’ve spoken to her about it several times, how Max and I will lie awake at night debating names for our child. He jokingly suggested Smolder once, and it brought it all back, the rush of the start of our romance, known only in pixels. We could never call our son Smolder, but it’s a name I’ll always cherish.
“Still, let’s not jump to conclusions.”
“But we’re getting a test, right?”
I bite down. Part of me doesn’t want to, because then I’ll dare to hope. I’ll dare to dream that our envisioned future is going to become a reality.
But I have to know. For Max, for us.
“Yes, so eat up.”
“Aren’t you done yet?”
I laugh, as I sit in the bathroom, holding the test awkwardly. We’re back at my place – at mine and Max’s since I officially moved in the night of the proposal – and Jess is lurking outside the bathroom door.
“It’s hard to go when you’re hovering.”
“The anticipation is killing me.”
“Killing you? I feel like I’m on some sort of weird game show. Just go away.” I giggle. “I’ll let you know when I’m done.”
Finally, I handle my business, and place the test on the counter and wash my hands. When I open the door, Jess is standing there, an impatient look on her face. “How long does it take?”
“About two minutes, apparently.”
She huffs. “That’s not fast enough.”
“Tell me about it.”
We pace together, Jess looking at the test so often it makes me laugh.
Finally, it’s ready.
“Pregnant,” I whisper, staring down at it. “Oh my God. I’m pregnant.”
“I’m so happy for you.” Jess throws her arms around me. “Oh, Maddie. You must be thrilled.”
I want to tell her, yes, but happy tears are bursting out of my eyes and sliding warmly down my cheeks. I can’t take it with all this joy bubbling up inside of me. And then I hear the bedroom door open.
Looking up, I see my man in a sharp suit, his clean shaven jaw turned down into a frown as he stares at me. “Maddie, what is it?”
“I thought you were at work,” I say, disentangling myself from Jess and whipping at my face.
“I was, but I left my gym bag here. What’s wrong? Hello, Jess.”
Jess smiles. “Hello, Max. And goodbye… I really should be getting back to campus.”