Page 114 of Pretend You Love Me

I run my finger over Ansley’s cheek. “She’s so soft.”

She’s sound asleep. I can feel her little chest rising and falling. “I can’t believe how tiny she is.”

“Who do you think she looks like?”he asks.

I laugh. “I can’t tell. Can you?”

Declan leans forward, so he can get a better look at her face. “That could be anyone’s kid.”

I laugh. “Don’t tell Will that.”

“Maybe if her eyes were open we could tell.”

I lean forward and inhale deeply. “Oh. My. God. That’s the best smell in the world.”

I lean in even closer, so I can do it again and when I do, tears start to roll down my cheek. I rush to wipe them away. “Why am I crying?”

Declan doesn’t answer. I flick my eyes up to him. His face looks worried.

“You’re pregnant.” It’s not a question.

“What? No, I’m not.” These damn tears keep falling down my face. What is wrong with me?

“Brooklyn...”

“Declan, that’s crazy. I’m not...”

I furrow my brow and try to remember the last time I had a period. Oh god. When Kip and I were together last time, we didn’t use condoms. It was our first rule, and we just ignored it. I always use protection. I don’t know what I was thinking - or rather not thinking. With everything that had just happened with Daryl, it just didn’t seem important.

Oh god, it seems terribly important right now.

Sweat rolls down my back. I rub my temples.

I can’t be pregnant though. That’s crazy. I’m sure I’m not.

“The last three times I’ve seen you, you’ve thrown up,” Declan says.

“I’ve had a stomach bug.”

“For weeks?” His voice is loud. Ansley jerks.

“Shhhh!”

“Sorry,” he whispers. I rock Ansley until she settles again.

“Have you taken a test?” he asks.

I look up. His eyes are locked on mine. “Brooklyn, you need to take a test.”

“A test. What kind of test?” Will says, walking into the room. He’s holding his hand out to give me the blanket, and then he freezes.

He just looks at me and then at Declan and then back again. I cast my eyes down. I can’t meet either of their eyes right now.

“Are you pregnant?”he asks.

Now I’m really crying. Will takes Ansley and places her in her bassinet. “Brooklyn, look at me. Are you pregnant?”

“I don’t know,” I blurt out.