Anne was my best friend, but right now, she was acting like my mother. I wonder if my brother was influencing her. "What are you here?"
"Is it possible you're pregnant?"
I gaped. “What? Just because a woman doesn’t feel well doesn’t mean she’s pregnant.” I truly believed that and yet, I started reviewing my time with Noel. We used a condom, so no, I couldn’t be. Except…crap, when was my period supposed to come?
“No. But you’ve been having sex and usually stomach bugs don’t limit their impact to a small time during the day.”
What the hell was the date? I opened my phone to the calendar. I frowned as I noted I was indeed late. Except… “It’s not possible. He used a condom every time.” There was that first time when he’d entered me without one, but he quickly rectified that. He hadn’t come inside me.
Anne arched a brow. “But you’re thinking it’s possible. Are you late?”
“It’s probably stress.” I put my phone away. “Why are you here?”
“I just wanted to check on you.”
“You want me to give up on Noel.” I took my glass and headed out to my back terrace needing fresh air.
“No. I want you to be happy, Harper. If Noel makes you happy, then I want him for you, but there’s so much you don’t know about it. And now…what if you’re pregnant?”
“I’m not.” At least I hoped I wasn’t. “Where’s Brandie?” If she didn’t stop harping on Noel and my lack of a period, I’d have to ask her to leave.
Anne sighed and sat next to me in a chaise chair. “She’s having daddy time today.” Anne pulled out her phone and started texting.
“You better not be telling Bran you think I’m pregnant.”
“I’d never.” She put her phone away and smiled. “I want to support you. Were you able to talk to Noel about the man yesterday?”
Grrr. When I told her Noel was gone, she’d probably find some reason to suspect something nefarious. To be honest, while I didn’t think something nefarious was going on, I did wonder if Noel got cold feet about our budding relationship, and he took off rather than break things off with me.
“Did Bran tell you about my visit?” I changed the subject.
She studied me and I hoped she figured out that I didn’t want to talk about Noel. “Yes. He said you might be interested in being involved in Boss Kid.”
“I’m already involved, at least when I volunteer. But this would be more.”
“It makes sense. You’re good with kids and have good business sense.”
I frowned. “How do you know about my business sense?”
“I’ve seen you talk business with Bran.” She stood. “Do you mind if I make coffee?”
I’d been rude and now it was time to put on my hostess hat. “I’ll do it. I’m sorry I didn’t offer.”
We returned to the kitchen where I put on a pot of coffee. Just as it finished brewing, another knock came on my door.
Maybe it was Noel. I hurried to it, opening the door to find Lane.
“Lane?” Hmm. Something was up.
“Hi. I heard you were having a ladies day on the beach. Can I join in?”
I opened the door wondering if my friends were about to stage an intervention. “Is Kate coming too?”
Lane and Anne exchanged another look. I was getting really annoyed at that. I figured Kate wasn’t coming because she was too often on my side.
“What’s going on?” I asked.
Lane sighed and pulled a box out of her purse. “Anne said you might need this.”