Instead, I was an intern and didn’t have a relationship I could tell my best friend about.
After a few more minutes of staring at the test, I threw it in the garbage. There wasn’t enough time in the day to think about this. I had to meet Amalia at her house in less than an hour for a movie night.
Amalia was lounging on the couch and dumping little chocolates into the popcorn while the characters on screen fell in love. I watched her for a moment, guilt still curling through me.
I wanted to tell her about the baby and the relationship but knew I couldn’t. She would be upset enough when she found out about the relationship. The baby would only make things worse.
And then there was Brandon.
I didn’t know what he would think when I told him about the baby. He already has an adult daughter.
Is he even going to want another child?
“Are you okay?” Amalia asked as she glanced at me. “You look like you’re going to be sick.”
“I’m fine.” I curled tighter into the corner of the couch and clutched the blanket in my lap. “I’m just still getting over that stomach flu.”
“Well, if you feel like crap and don’t want to drive home later, you know you’re more than welcome to stay here for the night. Dad won’t mind.”
I know your dad won’t mind.
I bit my tongue and nodded. “Thanks. I’m going to crash here. It’s been a long few weeks. We could use some more time together.”
Amalia grinned and leaned over, resting her head on my shoulder and rearranging her popcorn bowl. “It has been a long time. I thought we would spend much more time together once you moved here.”
“Crazy what happens when we’re both busy with careers.” I nudged her head gently with my shoulder, my tone teasing. “New York Fashion Week is amazing. I can’t believe that you’re going.”
“I wanted to tell you in person, but I’ve been running around like crazy.”
“A text was fine.” I grin and lean my head on top of hers. “You’re going to kill it. You have to tell me when it is so I can go.”
Amalia laughed. “You have to have an invitation to go, but I was thinking of bringing you.”
“Even though I know nothing about the fashion world?”
“Absolutely. I couldn’t think of anyone else I would rather be there with.”
I felt even worse for keeping secrets from her. Guilt tore away at me as we focused on the movie.
How the hell am I going to make it through the night without spilling my guts to her?
About an hour after Amalia fell asleep, I snuck out of the spare bedroom and headed down the hall to Brandon’s room.
I opened the door and stepped inside. He looked up from his books as I softly shut the door behind me. A slow smile spread across his face. He set the reader to the side before leaning further into the pillows.
“I didn’t think I was going to see you in here tonight,” he said, lifting the covers on the other side of the bed; I did think about sneaking into the guest room with you.”
For a moment, I considered telling him about the baby then and there. But, it was as good a time as any.
At least, I thought it was until I remembered that Amalia was just down the hall.
“Being here is a bad idea,” I said as I climbed onto the bed beside him. “But I don’t want to sleep alone.”
“Something wrong?” He wrapped his arm around me and pulled me closer to him. I leaned my head on his chest and sighed.
“Nothing’s wrong. I’ve just got a lot on my mind. Mainly about telling Amalia about us.”
Brandon hummed, and his hand drifted up and down my waist. “One of these days, we’re going to figure out a way to tell her. It’ll be fine. She will be upset, but she’ll get over it. She loves both of us.”