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We share a laugh and grab food. We might as well eat while the food is warm. Besides, Rhett said he will call Francesca back.
“Joseph doesn’t know about this yet. Please, just keep this between the two of us.”
“I won’t say a word.” She leans over and wraps her arms around me in a giant hug. “I’m so happy for you and my brother. I’m going to be an aunt! Just so you know, I’m already planning on spoiling that baby. Well, if you are keeping it.”
I stare at her, frozen in my spot. Her words play on repeat in my mind.
If you are keeping it. If I am keeping it. Am I keeping it? Will Joseph want to keep the baby?
My hand rests on the small baby bump. My heart races as I imagine what it will feel like to feel my baby kick, to watch my bump grow bigger with each passing week, and to become a mother.
Before I can freak out, Francesca says, “I’m sorry. That was stupid of me to say. That’s yours and Joseph’s business, not mine. I just wanted you to know that you are our family and you and the baby will be taken care of.”
Emotion swells in my throat, and I croak out, “Thank you. I really appreciate you saying that. To be honest, I’m scared to tell Joseph. I don’t know how he will react. We’ve never discussed having a family. Hell, we haven’t even gone out on a date.”
“Well, you will have your first date soon because you won the auction with my brother.”
I roll my eyes and smile. “You mean you won the auction and just put my name down?”
“Because I wanted to protect Joey. At least this way, I know he’s going to be with someone he likes, and it’s not like you can get pregnant because you already are.”
I throw my pillow at her before digging into my sweet and sour chicken. She laughs and places the pillow between us before grabbing her container of fried rice.
“I hope it’s a girl.” Francesca whispers between bites.
“Yeah, a girl would be nice. We are always surrounded by all the guys. It’s too much testosterone. Well, now there’s me, you, and Savannah.”
Francesca leans forward. “We need a girl’s night. Or better yet, a girl’s weekend. Just the three of us, and preferably before you have the baby.”
“A spa weekend where we can be pampered.”
“Oooh, that sounds divine. I’ll set it up and make sure it’s during a weekend where the guys have back to back away games.”
“I can’t wait.” I switch to the sesame chicken, loving the rich flavor of the sauce.
Francesca’s phone rings. “It’s Rhett.” She puts the call on speakerphone.
“So what happened to Joey?”
“That is a long story. Hey, where are you? I went by your office, but you were already gone.”
“I already had dinner plans with Alexandra. We are just sitting on her couch relaxing and eating some Chinese.”
“Hey.” I say, so he knows he’s on speakerphone.
“Hey, Alexandra. Do you mind if I swing by? It will be easier to fill everyone in on what’s going on.”
That doesn’t sound good. I want to ask how Joseph is doing. I want to see that he’s alright.
“Come on over. The door is unlocked.”
He barks out, “The door is what?”
Francesca chimes in. “It’s a work in progress.”
Rhett growls before hanging up.
“Oops. I guess he didn’t like that.”