Page 64 of My Bestie's Billionaire Brother

Lillian and Michael cut the cake, feed each other bites, and everyone applauds. I go through the motions, clapping on autopilot while my mind races ahead to the conversation waiting for us at the hotel.

As the wait staff begins distributing cake slices, I lean close to Tess. "Do you want to stay for this, or should we head out?"

Relief flashes across her face. "Can we go? I'm feeling a bit tired."

Jane hugs Tess goodbye, whispering something that makes Tess nod. Trey shakes my hand with a meaningful look that tells me Jane has filled him in.

We make our rounds quickly, offering congratulations to the newlyweds and brief goodbyes to some friends. Stuart catches my eye across the room and raises his glass in a silent toast. He’s back to flirting with the blonde bridesmaid and I’m guessing that I’ll hear about it at our next poker night.

Outside, the valet takes our ticket, and we stand in silence, waiting. Tess hugs her arms around herself, though the night isn't particularly cold.

"Are you cold?" I ask, already shrugging out of my jacket.

"No, I'm fine." Her voice is soft, distracted. "Just...thinking."

The valet pulls up with the rental, and I open the passenger door for Tess. I round the car and settle into the driver's seat. My hands grip the steering wheel too tightly as I pull away from the hotel.

For several minutes, we drive in silence. The hotel is only ten minutes from the wedding venue, but it feels like forever.

I wonder if I should say something or wait for Tess. I’m just about to speak when she finally does.

"The ceremony was nice," Tess says finally.

"Yeah," I agree, grateful for the neutral topic. “Gorgeous place too.”

"I liked how they each wrote their own vows."

We're talking about wedding vows while potentially life-altering news hangs between us. I want to laugh or yell or pull the car over and demand answers, but instead I nod and murmur agreement.

Our hotel appears ahead, its facade lit up against the night sky. I hand the keys to another valet and we walk through the lobby, maintaining a careful distance from each other, as if one touch might trigger the conversation we're both dreading.

The elevator ride to our floor is silent. I watch our reflections in the polished doors—Tess, still beautiful in her blue dress but with shadows under her eyes I didn't notice before; me, mostly composed but with a wild look in my eyes I can't hide.

Our room door clicks shut behind us, and suddenly there's nowhere else to go, no more delays. Tess sets her purse down on the dresser with deliberate care, then turns to face me, her expression a complex mixture of fear and resolution.

"Charlie," she begins, and I already know what she’s going to say.

"I'm pregnant." The words hang in the air between us. I feel the room tilt slightly, like the floor has decided to rearrange itself beneath my feet. My mind floods with a rapid-fire succession of images: tiny feet, sleepless nights, endless diapers. I want to speak, but my throat closes, trapping whatever inadequate response I might have offered.

Tess takes my silence for shock—which it is—and continues. "I took a test. Actually, two tests. Both positive." Her fingers twist together, betraying her nerves despite her steady voice. "I'm about five weeks along, I think."

"You're pregnant," I repeat, the words strange in my mouth. My hands feel disconnected from my body, tingling with pins and needles. "With my baby."

God, what a stupid thing to say. Of course it's mine. Tess's expression flickers between confusion and exasperation.

"Yes, Charlie. Your baby." She moves to sit on the edge of the bed, her dress pooling around her. "I know this isn't what either of us planned. It's definitely not what I planned."

Something in her voice—a slight tremor, a vulnerability—snaps me out of my selfish spiral. I cross the room and sit beside her, putting my hand on her thigh.

"Are you okay?" I ask, the question completely inadequate.

She laughs. "I don't know. I'm terrified. Surprised. Definitely in shock." Her hand moves unconsciously to her stomach. "I’m usually so careful, Charlie. I've been on birth control for years, but I...I missed a couple of pills. With all the back and forth between our places, I got out of my routine."

"Tess," I say, reaching for her hand, "this isn't your fault."

"It's not anyone's fault," she says quickly. "It just...happened."

I nod, trying to organize my thoughts into something coherent. I stand and move to the window, pushing aside the curtain and trying to come up with the right words.

---