Page 122 of Brooklynaire

“Alex is two or three months pregnant, and she needs to rule meout.”

“Pregnant?”I sit back in my chair like I’ve been punched. “With…” I can’t even say it. But I can’t help spitting out what’s on my mind. “Iaskedif you and Alex were ever a thing. You said you hooked up only once, and I thought you meant incollege.”

His cringe is swift. “Itwasonly once.” He squeezes my knee. “And the timing…that’s what I wanted you to think. Didn’t want you to know how stupid I was one time inMarch.”

He didn’t lie, my hopeful heart reminds me. “So you might be having a baby with Alex,” Iwhisper.

“There’s a slight chance, but she needed to check. The other guy is much more likely. But he’s also somebody who hither.”

My mouth falls open. “Thatfucker.”

“Yeah.” Nate licks his lips. “I’m, uh, stunned too. And pissed at myself. It’s not how I would have wanted our first year together togo.”

“If it’s yours,” I ask. “Thenwhat?”

Nate shrugs. “I got this news about five minutes before you walked in. No idea what would happen. I’d want to be involved, if that’s what Alex wanted. With the baby. Not Alex. I love you and that won’t everchange.”

I take a deep breath and let it out. I didn’t hear what Nate said to Alex. I’ll bet it wasn’t an easy discussion. But I’ll bet Nate was kind, and a goodfriend.

So I can be that, too, right? Can’tI?

As much as I loathe the idea of Nate undressing Alex just a few weeks before he started up with me, I can be a grown-up aboutit.

“Jeez, slick,” I say. “You screw up once and there’s a paternity testlater?”

“Yeah.” His eyes are still embarrassed. “When I make a mistake, I make a realsplash.”

“Oh, Nate.” I giggle, but it’s probably the stress talking. “I’m sorry. Poor Alex. Pooryou.”

“I’ll be fine. It wouldn’t even shake me up if I weren’t trying hard to convince you I’m acatch.”

“Youare?”

“Trying to convince you?Always.”

Aw. “Youarea catch. Although if you and Alex end up having a baby together I will be so incredibly jealous.” There, I saidit.

He leans forward and pulls me into a hug. After a kiss on the jaw, he whispers to me. “It’s something I’d much rather do withyou.”

I don’t say anything because we’ve ventured into some heavy territory. But I lean in closer to let him know that the idea appeals to me,too.

“Becca, it took me seven years to figure out how much I need you. I’m never letting anyone get in the way ofthat.”

“It’ll be okay,” I whisper. Although now we have to go into game seven wondering what that paternity test says. “How long will the resultstake?”

“Not long. Actually…” He releases me, then leans over to pluck an envelope off the surface of his desk. “Alex left this for you. I almost forgot.” He hands it to me. Inside is anote.

Rebecca—I owe you a monster apology. I hope you’ll believe me that I’m not usually a raving bitch like I was in Florida. I was terrified to think I might be pregnant, and what that might mean for all the people involved. I took it out on you, and you deserve to know why. The way Nate looks at you is so amazing and rare. He looks at you like he’d walk through fire for you. Most of us never find that, so I hope you can find it in your heart to appreciate it. I’m so sorry to be that extra thing that complicates your lives right now. I hope you can forgive me. —A.

“What did she say?” Nate asks, watching me with intelligenteyes.

My throat is tight. “She said she’s sorry. It’s a really nicenote.”

“Hallelujah. Alex has been a good friend to me over the years. I couldn’t take it if she wasn’t nice toyou.”

We’ll see, Ithink.

“Want to get coffee?” he asks. “Fuck it. I think I’m going to blow off the rest of myday.”