High Tea & Flip-Flops by Lewis Linda Cassidy

Author:Lewis, Linda Cassidy [Lewis, Linda Cassidy]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Published: 2015-07-27T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 14

Today, I’m supposed to be writing notes for Jeremy, but instead I’m lying on the sofa daydreaming about him. Nice thing about daydreams—I’m not stupid and impulsive in them. This dream—that there was no rice in my hair, and Jeremy really did kiss me passionately yesterday—is interrupted when a key slips into the lock on my door. I sit up just as Gabi walks in.

“Why aren’t you at work?” I ask.

“I took the day off.” She’s one big grin. “I’m about to burst with news.”

“Well, it’s obviously good news, so start talking, girl.”

She stops in the middle of the room, takes a deep breath, and looks me in the eye. “I’m pregnant.”

I’m silent for two seconds, and then I scream, and she screams with me. I jump to my feet and run to hug her. “I can’t believe you’re going to be a mother.”

“I know, right?”

Giggling, we reclaim our spots at either end of the sofa, facing each other.

“When did you find out?”

“Yesterday. I wanted to tell you right away, but . . .”

“Oh, Gabs. I’m sorry for calling you and babbling on and on about working with Jeremy and then hanging up before you had a chance to tell me your news. I totally killed your buzz, didn’t I?”

“Stop it. I’ve monopolized our conversations a thousand times.”

“So what did Matt say?”

“He’s thrilled. And he wants to get married right away.”

“But what about your big wedding plans?”

“Nah.” She flaps a hand as though the wedding she’s dreamed of for twelve years means nothing. “It’s better this way.”

I nod, but I can tell she’s trying to convince herself that’s true. “So when?”

“Around the end of March, I think.”

“That’s months from now. I thought you said right away.”

“Oh. I thought you were asking when the baby is due. I don’t know yet about the wedding, but you’ll still be my maid of honor or witness or whatever, right?”

“Like you have to ask.” I feel like a jerk. I should have asked about the baby’s due date. “Hey. Why aren’t we celebrating?” I stand up. “This announcement calls for wine.”

“Not for me, Chels.” She smiles and lays a hand across her still flat stomach.

Our eyes meet. Everything will be different now.

“Oh . . . right.” I sit back down. Gabi’s beginning a whole new life, and not only as a mother. She’ll be a wife too. I can’t even keep a boyfriend—or a job. I force myself to smile at her. “This will take some getting used to.”

“You’re telling me.” Her smile fades, and she grabs my hand. “What if I’m not a good mother?”

“Gabriella Elise Hudson! How dare you utter such nonsense? You’ll be fabulous.”

Her smile returns. “Matt says so too.”

“Your hardest job will be teaching your daughter not to be like her crazy Aunt Chelsea.”

“My daughter?”

“Well, of course. Isn’t that what you’ve always said you’d have first?”

She smiles, but her eyes are wet. “She’d be great if she turned out like you, Chels.”

Now we’re both crying. And hugging. And laughing. And then the immensity of it all silences us.

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