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“It’s gone viral.”

35

SOFIA

The fact that each of them accepted my bombshell without any signs of regret is such a relief. The roiling in my stomach settles in increments. Or as much as it can settle. The first two months of my pregnancy with Noah had me sick in bed most mornings.

No longer keeping this a secret has freed me up.

I’ve been in this since Jordan and I talked through it more than a week ago. And whereas I might have been on the fence for much of the time, the doctor’s visit with my mother solidified how much I want to keep this baby.

And I am pretty sure it’s going to be a girl. For the same reason I was sure Noah was going to be a boy. Maybe that’s a coincidence, but it’s given me false confidence.

Their confirmation that they’re in this with me, too, soothes the sting of what that witch did to us.

And I know she used Leann beyond showing the clip during her big reveal.

The shift in her attitude came around the same time as the threat. Or maybe Leann went to her. Things changed after the trip to NYC.

I could have sworn no one caught us sharing a room, but I must have been wrong.

It doesn’t matter anymore.

With finals over, I’ve handed off the baton of Film Club president to Cindy after a landslide vote.

Collin cornered me and handed me his father’s card with a final shot of, “What they did was fucked up, Soph. Let him help them not get away with it.”

I hugged him. Hard.

It was a truly bittersweet moment.

And now, I’m just kind of in limbo. All three of my men are buried under papers and projects to grade, so Mom packs up Noah and me for a trip into the city to meet one of her many, many friends.

The promise of trying new foods along with getting his favorite car snack seals the deal for Noah. He’s such a good boy.

Mom is her glamorous self, even as she slides behind the wheel. Her hair sweeps into a loose braid over her shoulder, and those big bug glasses will make her look famous when we hit the streets of the city.

The funny thing is, in her world, she is famous.

Once we’re on the road and Noah is snoring softly behind us, Mom reaches over and grabs my hand. “How are you, Baby?”

I smile over at her and squeeze her hand back. “I’m okay. A little queasy. A little tired. Feeling a little lost, if I’m being honest. I had a whole other semester planned out.”

“All to be expected. You will find your path. I have faith in you.” The authority in her voice calms me a little. It’s too easy to believe her when she says things like that.

“Thanks, Mom.”

Her shoulders shimmy as she sits straighter behind the wheel. “The woman we’re meeting, Izzy Price, she’s a former student of mine, and she is always in the middle of something. Iwanted you two to meet because I think she might help you find a direction.”

I laugh. “Because I’m not one to wallow.”

Mom’s laugh is low and throaty. “No, Baby. You wallow with the best of them. Just never for long.”

That sends me into a fit of near silent giggles. “When you’re right, you’re right.”

“I saw what you’ve been doing with Braxton’s little girl, Birdie? I bet she’s excited.”

Perfect topic shift. “She is, but she can’t let one viral video go to her head.”