Page 60 of Wicked Love

“I almost didn’t,” I admit, then flush when his brow arches slightly.

“I’m glad you did. I needed this,” he says, gesturing to the laughing and splashing in the pool behind us. “People I actually want to be around.”

My face heats at the thought that he might want me around and I inwardly groan, telling myself to get a grip once again. I turn sharply to look at everyone again so he doesn’t see me blushing, and that dizziness hits me again.

I reach out and grab his arm, trying to steady myself.

“Poppy? Are you okay?”

I nod, but dots line my vision and I blink. “I’m not feeling so well,” I say.

“Oh.” He leans in and then leads me to a chair. “You went pale all of a sudden. Have you eaten enough today?”

I make a face as I sit down and try to remember what I’ve eaten. “You know what? No. I haven’t had much of an appetite today.” My stomach churns and I swallow hard. “I…I better go.” I stand up and rush back to the room where I changed.

I splash cold water over my face, and it helps, but not enough. I have a sudden urgency to get home. I don’t necessarily think I’ll throw up, but I’m not positive I won’t…and I don’t want to be here if I do.

Tru walks in and pauses when she sees me. “Bowie said you’re not feeling well. He wanted me to check on you.”

“No, I’m not.” I scrunch up my nose and put my clotheson over my swimsuit. “Can you let everyone know I’m heading home? I hate to leave, but ugh.”

“Aw, yeah, I’ll tell them. Get better. Let me know if you need anything. I can bring soup or something by tomorrow. Are you okay to drive home?”

“Yes. I’ll be okay. Hopefully this will pass quickly.”

I wave at her and go out the back door. When I get home, I strip and get under the covers. Exhaustion pulls at me, but as I nestle into my pillow, my stomach twists again. I groan, pressing a hand to my abdomen.

It must be my period.My cycles are so unpredictable, and occasionally, the cramps are awful. It’s good that I got home before that starts.

I stare at the ceiling, thinking about Bowie and how sweet he was tonight. My heart clenches thinking about the way his eyes lingered on me when he first saw me. I should text him and let him know I’m?—

Wait a minute.

I bolt upright in bed, my pulse pounding in my ears. I scramble for my phone on my nightstand, pulling up my calendar with trembling hands. My fingers hover over the dates as realization hits me with a heavy blow.

Even with unpredictable periods, I should have had my period by now.

“Oh my God, oh myGod,” I groan.

How did I miss this? Between work, hanging out with Becca, loving my new friendships with the girls, and daydreaming about Bowie—freaking Bowie Fox—I hadn’t even realized I was late.

My hands are shaking as I count the days again, just to be sure.

“Shit.” I throw back the covers and throw on my sweats and a baggy sweatshirt.

It’s ironic that the dizziness and funky stomach feel better now. All that feels weird is my heart hammering in my chest. The lights in Aurora’s are harsh as I scan the shelves, grabbing two boxes of pregnancy tests, just to be sure. I avoid the cashier’s eyes as I pay and hurry home.

Once I’m home and have aimed on the stick, I sit on the edge of the tub, clutching the instructions tightly in my hands as I wait for the result.

When the line appears, I stare at it, my breath catching between a gasp and a sob.

“Oh my God,” I say again, the realization nearly taking me under.

I sink to the floor, clutching the test to my chest.

How in the world did this happen? Scratch that—I know exactly when and where…and technically,howthis happened…but we used protection!

What am I going todo?

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