Page 47 of Pregnant By the Playboy

“Yeah, I’m fine. But I’m pregnant, so no alcohol for me.”

“You’re pregnant?” she screeches, and a few heads turn in our direction. “Sorry,” she says, more quietly. “It just wasn’t what I was expecting.”

I chuckle. “Same here. Actually, I think I got pregnant the last night we saw each other.”

“Did I look at you just right and”—she snaps her fingers—“your egg got fertilized?”

“Wouldn’t that be something.” I pause. “Or maybe I got pregnant the next day...or the day after that. But it was definitely that weekend. Since immaculate conception is unlikely, and that’s the only weekend I had sex in the past year.”

Carrie’s mouth falls open as she makes the connection.

I’m kind of enjoying this.

My friend is wearing a silver dress with sequins that would look ridiculous on some people—like me—but on her, it’s glamorous. Her black hair falls in soft waves.

But the expression on her face is anything but sophisticated.

“No way!” she says. “Vince Fong is the father?”

“Yep.” And somehow, I can’t help smiling as I say that.

She stands up and gives me a hug. “OMG, this is so exciting! Are you excited? How are you feeling?”

“I’m doing well now, actually.”

“Vince knows you’re pregnant?”

“Yeah. He’s excited, too. I had my first ultrasound today, and he came.”

“It’s hard to imagine him as a father,” Carrie says, “but I’m glad. Maybe this is why he’s been acting weird.”

“He has? You’ve seen him?”

“Nah, but you know my friend Pru? She was at Brian’s party—although maybe that wasn’t until after you left. But she said something off-hand about Vince acting odd lately. He actually turned her down when she propositioned him!” Carrie says this quietly, confidentially, as though it’s the most shocking thing.

Vince said he’d be faithful to me, and I’m pleased he seems to be keeping his word.

It actually makes me a little giddy.

“Please don’t tell anyone,” I say. “Vince’s family doesn’t know yet, but he plans to tell them soon.”

“Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me. I mean, except for the fact that I yelled, ‘You’re pregnant?’ when you told me. But now, my lips are sealed.” Carrie mimes zipping her lips. “I am going to be the coolest auntie. None of my other friends have children yet, so I’ll have lots of time for yours.”

“You’ll buy the most impractical baby clothes,” I say. With affection.

“I will! Your baby is going to be so smart and good-looking, between you and Vince. You’re not together now, are you? It’s Vince Fong, so I wouldn’t assume so, but he did turn down Pru...”

“He wants us to be a family. In fact, he asked me to marry him as soon as he found out I was pregnant.”

“He did what?”

Man, I enjoy the way Carrie gets so excited. Her energy is infectious.

“He asked me to marry him,” I repeat with a smile. “I said no, of course. I hardly know him. Well, I know him better now than I did back then. The offer’s still on the table, and I’m not thinking of saying yes, not really, but...” I shrug. “Sometimes I think we could be together. Is that foolish of me?”

There. I admitted it.

“He is your baby daddy, and he’s pretty hot.”