I just hadn’t banked on getting pregnant.
No, he wasn’t in the picture. I hadn’t lied to Linden.
I’ll do this on my own.
* * *
“Can I help you find anything?” the friendly boutique assistant asked.
“Oh, I’m just browsing. Thanks.”
She nodded to an adorable blue onesie with a duck icon stitched on the chest. “That’s one of our best sellers.”
“I’ll bet.”
“Let me know if you need anything,” she said with a smile before moving back to stand behind the counter.
I discreetly looked at the price tag of the onesie and tried not to flinch. There was no way I could afford anything in this store.
It had been an impulse stop. I’d been driving to the bakery when I saw the sign for a baby boutique, and I couldn’t help myself.
I put the onesie back on the rack, kept my head down, and walked outside. I got into the car and put my drug-store sunglasses on and finally let the tears fall.
Finally, I got it together and drove home. I detoured around the construction zone and parked in the back. I made sure the prescription bag was closed, grabbed my purse, and got out of the car.
“Where the hell have you been?” Jazz demanded the moment I stepped foot in the kitchen. “I’ve been calling and calling!”
I pulled out my cell from my bag and saw dozens of missed calls and texts. Some of them were from unknown numbers, but several were from Jazz.
“I’m sorry. I was at the clinic,” I explained. “For a UTI.”
Her expression softened. “Damn. Doctor give you meds?”
I held up the prescription bag. “I’m sorry I didn’t text that I’d be late.”
“I’m not upset about that.”
“Then what are you upset about?”
She pulled an envelope from her back pocket and tossed it on the counter in front of me. “We got a nice little visit from the health department.”
I opened the envelope and pulled out the paper. I quickly scanned it, anger flaring in my chest. “These are all nitpick, bullshit violations!”
“I know.”
“They sound made up!”
“I know.”
“I have to pay a fine! And they’re going to come back to inspect the bakery again!”
“I know.”
“Damn it!” I turned suddenly, my arm knocking the prescription bag to the floor. It fell open, and out rolled the bottle of prenatal vitamins.
Jazz and I both stared at the bottle for a moment, and then she looked at me. “Oh…”
I sighed. “Yeah.”