Page 19 of Dagger

“Hey,” she says casually, though there’s a hint of curiosity in her tone.

“Hey,” I mumble, clutching the basket tighter.

Jenny doesn’t press me, just nods and moves on, but I can feel her gaze linger as I turn back to the register.

Back at my she-shed, I sit on the bathroom floor surrounded by the tests. My heart pounds as I rip open the first box and follow the instructions. I set the stick down, waiting for the result, but I can’t even breathe as the seconds tick by.

The first test: positive.

I open another, then another.

The second: positive.

The third, fourth, and fifth: all positive.

I sit back against the wall, staring at the pile of tests scattered around me. My hands shake, and tears stream down my face. This can’t be happening.

Grabbing my phone, I call Sophie, my fingers fumbling as I hit her name.

“Chlo?” she answers, her voice concerned. “What’s wrong?”

“Can you come to my place? Now? Please, I need you,” I manage to get out, my voice breaking.

“Of course! I’ll be right there,” she says without hesitation.

Minutes later, I hear her running down the backyard. The door bursts open, and Sophie stands there, out of breath, her eyes wide as she takes in the scene.

“Chloe...” she whispers, her gaze darting to the tests scattered around me. She rushes over, dropping to her knees beside me.

I clutch at her like a lifeline, my tears coming harder. “What do I do?” I choke out.

Sophie wraps her arms around me, holding me tight as I cry into her shoulder. “We’ll figure it out, honey,” she says, her voice steady and soothing. “I’m here. Tank’s here. You’re not alone in this.”

“I’m so scared,” I whisper, my voice trembling.

“I know,” she says softly, rubbing my back. “But listen to me. This baby is a blessing, even if it doesn’t feel like it right now. You’re going to be okay, Chlo. You’re strong, and we’ll help you every step of the way.”

I nod against her shoulder, clinging to her words. For the first time since this morning, I feel a glimmer of hope. I don’t have all the answers, but with Sophie by my side, I know I’m not alone.

Sophie pulls back slightly, her hands still on my shoulders. “How far along do you think you are?” she asks gently.

I wipe at my face, sniffling. “I don’t know. Two months? Maybe?”

She tilts her head, her expression thoughtful. “Two months? That would make sense. Wasn’t the wedding about two months ago?”

I shrug, feeling overwhelmed. “I guess. Hell, I don’t know, Soph. I can’t even think straight right now.”

“Okay,” she says, her voice calm and steady. She pulls out her phone, her thumbs moving quickly over the screen. “Let’s figure this out.”

“What are you doing?” I ask, watching her.

“Pregnancy due date calculator,” she says without looking up. “Give me the date of your last period.”

I hesitate, but then the memory surfaces. “Uh... mid-September? Like the 14th or 15th, I think.”

“Got it,” she says, typing it in. “How long is your cycle? Like, 28 days? 30?”

“Twenty-eight, I think,” I say, rubbing my temples. “At least, it used to be regular.”

---