“Sorry to leave you short-handed, Mr. Taylor.”

“Just get some rest and feel better, Isabella,” my boss reassures me.

I haven’t had to call in sick since my partying days. However, this morning my bowl of Cheerios didn’t stay in my stomach for more than five minutes before I threw it back up.

I know I should eat some crackers or drink some water, but the idea of both is making my stomach do somersaults. There’s no way I’m going to make it out to dinner tonight. Staring at my phone, I consider just sending a text message for a second, but decide to give him a call. It doesn’t matter anyway because his voicemail kicks in on the second ring.

“Hi, Colt, it’s me. I know yesterday I told you I was getting sick, but I really am sick now. I’m gonna have to cancel our plans for tonight. I hope we can reschedule soon.”

Throwing my phone on the comforter beside me, I let my exhaustion win as I drift off.

I wake up from my dream of being chased down by a giant, angry mosquito and find my phone buzzing on the bed next to me. That’ll be Colt. He probably thinks I’m faking. I would if I were him.

“Hello?”

“I’m baaaack!” Julia’s voice is too cheery for my brain right now.

“Hey, welcome home.” My voice is so flat, I sound disappointed to hear from her.

“What’s wrong?” She hones in right away. “Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, I’ll be fine. I’m just sick.” I hold my hand across my eyes, trying to block out the daylight.

“You’re sick? Okay, how about I come over with some Gatorade and soup? I can take care of you.”

“No, you don’t have to do that.” I secretly hope she’ll insist. It always feels good to have someone look after you when you’re under the weather.

“Hush, I’m already one foot out the door. I’ll be there soon.”

I’m sure she can hear the smile on my face as I say goodbye.

* * *

By the time Julia walks in, I’m completely fine. Whatever I had seems to have already moved on. I don’t think I even had to cancel my dinner date.

Julia is radiant, which is difficult with the dull light in my apartment. “You look fantastic! Your honeymoon must have been amazing. It’s done wonders for your skin.” I give her a quick hug and take the grocery bag from her hand.

“The honeymoon was incredible. Europe was just like I imagined, except with even better food. You know, when you go to French restaurants or Italian bistros here, they really don’t do that food justice.”

“I wouldn’t know.” I smile. “Well, you look gorgeous, Mrs. McGregor.”

“Thanks, I think my souvenir is agreeing with me.” Her smile is so wide it looks painful.

“Souvenir?” I raise my eyebrow, looking for a new piece of jewelry or something.

“I’m pregnant!” she squeals, jumping on her toes.

“What? That’s amazing! Congratulations!” I throw my arms around her and jump with her. “Wow, you two didn’t waste any time, huh? How far along are you?” I look down at her belly in awe.

“Six weeks.” She’s still grinning. I don’t think she could stop smiling if she tried right now. “The blood work just came back yesterday. We’re not telling anyone else until we hit the three month mark, though, okay? I just knew there was no way I could keep it from you, though.”

“My lips are sealed.” I twist the air beside my mouth like I’m locking them together. “Six weeks, what did you do? Get knocked up on the flight over there? You only left six weeks ago.”

“Maybe.” Her smile turns sly, and my sealed lips drop open in disbelief.

“You? You’re in the mile high club?” I squeak. “Now I’ve heard it all.”

“What can I say? It was a long plane ride.” She shrugs. I throw the bag on the counter and join her on the couch. “You know, the crazy thing is, I had no idea at all. Honestly, I’ve never felt better. My energy has been fine. I haven’t been sick. Knock on wood.” She raps her knuckles against my end table lightly. “I didn’t even realize I was late until two days ago.”

“Well, you’ve had other things on your mind, I’m sure.” I smile, but my eyes lose focus over her shoulder. Ever since I had an unplanned pregnancy when I was a teen, I’ve used an IUD. However, my mystery flu this morning has me concerned.

I excuse myself and splash some cold water on my face in the bathroom. The tiny hairs on the back of my neck are on end as I try to think about when I had my last period.

The phone rings, and I hear Julia answer. Cocking my head toward the bathroom door, I listen in for a second.

“Of course she’s really sick. What kind of question is that? I’m here looking after her,” she tells the person on the other end.

Numbers are melding and blurring in my mind as I try to think of dates. When was my last period? Am I late?

When I step out of the bathroom, Julia has her hands on her hips and her head tilted. “So, you and Colt Grant are a thing now? I go away for six weeks and everything changes around here? You’ve got to tell me how he managed to get you to settle—hey, what’s wrong?” She stops teasing me and furrows her eyebrows together as her eyes flicker over my face. “Do you need to lie down? I can get you some Gatorade…”

I shake my head wordlessly from side to side, trying to form a single sentence. “No,” I finally whisper. “Can you do me a favor, please?”

“Name it.” Worry spreads over her face as the remnants of her smile disappears from her lips.

“Can you to run over to the CVS across the street? I think I need a pregnancy test.”