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“It’s okay. We’ll get through this together. I’ll be here for you every step of the way.” She pauses and I know the question she’s going to ask before she even speaks it. “So, who’s the father? Should we call him?”

Fuck, right. That. Well now’s the time. Truth or lie?

Lie. Definitely lie.

“I don’t know. He was just some guy passing through after Warren left. I was sad and lonely and met him…at the coffee shop. He’s not in the picture and never will be.”

There. That should be believable enough. Right?

“So, you don’t have his number, I’m assuming?”

“Nope. Don’t even remember his name.”

Izzy looks at me concerned. I would be too if my by the book, rule loving, tells me everything best friend had a one night stand she didn’t tell me about and became pregnant. Not exactly the normal everyday occurrence around here.

“Why didn’t you tell me about him before?” I can hear the hurt in her voice, but it’s almost overpowered by her concern.

“I was embarrassed. It’s not really my thing, one-night stands. It was a moment of weakness.” That part isn’t a lie. It was a moment of weakness, just one that had been building for over a decade.

“You don’t have to be embarrassed about anything with me. I’ll never judge you, you know that. Was he at least cute?” Her simple question eases the guilt inside me, just a little, at not telling her the complete truth.

“Extremely. At least the baby has that much going for it.”

“I’m sure it will be the most adorable baby ever, and once it’s born no one will care who the father is or isn’t. You’ll see.”

My arms wrap around my waist, and I tighten my hold on my nonexistent baby bump, but very real microscopic baby growing inside.Holy moly, there’s a baby inside me.I’m going to be sick again and it has nothing to do with morning sickness.

Izzy wraps both arms around my shoulders and hugs me close, resting her head on my shoulder. I instantly calm, Izzy’s hugs are always an instant relaxant.

“Can we not tell anyone? At least for a while anyways.”

Izzy nods and looks up at me. “What about Gigi?”

“I’ll tell her. She can keep a secret better than anyone in this town.”

“True, that woman is a vault. What about Owen?”

We probably should tell Owen, that would be what real best friends do. But if we tell him he’ll definitely mention it to Warren, and Warren will definitely know he’s the father.

“No. Not yet. He’s kind of a blabber mouth and until I’m comfortable with it all and know how to handle everything, I’d like to keep it quiet.”

She rubs my arm and agrees. “Yeah, he is a giant blabber mouth.”

We both sit in quiet silence. Me internally cataloging every book about pregnancy we have downstairs that I’ll now need to read, and Izzy no doubt mentally redecorating my apartment for a baby and planning my inevitable baby shower.

“So when can I start shopping for you and the baby? Is now too early?”

Yup, planning parties and color schemes. I love her for being her and not badgering me on the specifics of how I became pregnant. Or trying to get me to confess things I don’t want to discuss. Her ability to smooth over tense situations with easier topics to calm my anxiety is a god send. I don’t want to talk about what doctor I’m going to see, what prenatal vitamins I should take, or how fat I’m going to get. I’ll deal with those one at time when I’m ready. But right now, I just need to get comfortable with the idea I’m going to be a mom.

“No, now is not too early. But maybe wait until after I confirm with a doctor?”

She scrunches her nose and shakes her head. “Nah. I’m starting now. Ooh, we can go to that antique store you love in Anchorage to look for a crib to match the rest of your unique furniture.”

I smile at my best friend and am thankful to have her. I wouldn’t know what to do if she weren’t here. Probably freak out and rock in the corner like a crazy person. Instead, I’m grinning and laughing at Izzy and the fact that she knows me so well and is spouting off possible themes for the nursery.

“I would love that, but you know that won’t be till spring.”

“Perfect, by then we’ll know if it’s a boy or a girl and can better choose decorative pieces.”