Page 15 of One Little Mistake

“Wait, when exactly did you tell me about her?”

“When I stayed at your place for that Lara Fabian concert. I opened the door and walked in—and there was this random girl mopping the floor. I even sent you a pic from the concert, remember? We all went together. Didn’t Erin mention it?”

“Don’t hang up,” I say quickly and open my messages.

I scroll through our short chat, and my finger freezes when I see the photo from the concert hall downtown. My sister and a girl with fiery red hair. Erin. No doubt about it. Just not as pale and exhausted as she looked yesterday. She’s thinner, with sharp cheekbones, long curls, makeup, a bright sparkle in her eyes, and a wide smile.

“Erin is so cute. You two would look great together,” Elena had written.

“Yeah,” I replied. That was it. “I thought she was just one of your friends you’re always trying to set me up with,” I mutter in frustration, finally realizing that this girl didn’t just barge into my apartment—she barged into my life.

“Wait… you’re not joking?” my sister asks, now sounding serious.

“Does it sound like I am?”

“So… wait, the baby isn’t yours?” She actually sounds disappointed. Like that’s what we should be worrying about right now. “Why don’t you just ask her? Let her explain. Max, Erin’s amazing! I was honestly happy you’d finally found a good girl and were settling down.”

“Don’t start, Elena. You know I’m not getting married anytime in the next ten years. Just tell me—did she say anything about herself?”

“No. I don’t think so. Honestly, I think the best thing now is to just talk to her.”

“I would love to, but Erin’s in a coma,” I say with a heavy exhale, and something tightens in my chest. I feel bad for her. Nomatter what. And for the baby, too. If she doesn’t make it… he’ll be left an orphan.

***

I hesitate before pressing the doorbell. I stare at the brown door, hoping I’ll find at least a shred of truth here. Some kind of lead.

Vivienne completely charmed me from the first time we met. So small, delicate, always with a trace of sadness in her eyes.

But not anymore, because now she’s practically glowing with happiness—something I can’t quite share with her at the moment.

“Oh, Max, hi! It’s so good to see you. When did you get back?”

I freeze. Her eyes are sparkling, white curls spilling over her shoulders, that wide smile, flawless figure… It honestly looks like she’s gotten even prettier since the last time I saw her.

“Yesterday. Evening,” I say hoarsely, after a pause, grateful for my thick stubble hiding my face. I’m pretty sure I blushed like some teenage girl under her gaze.

“Wanna come in?” she offers.

“No, I’ll be quick.” Somewhere in the apartment, I hear a low male voice. Logan—her husband—is home. And I’ve got zero desire to run into him right now. “Listen, it’s about Erin,” I mutter, unsure how to ask her why a pregnant stranger ended up living in my apartment.

The situation is a total mess, and accusing Vivienne of letting some scammer into my place feels a bit too harsh.

“Oh, she’s so lovely! I’m really happy for you two,” she says warmly, and I can feel my jaw tighten, my eye twitching at her words.

“Yeah… about that. She’s… not my girlfriend. And I was really hoping you could tell me how she ended up in my apartment.”

“What?” Vivienne’s eyes widen in surprise, and then—just like my sister—she laughs out loud. “Such a dumb joke. Anyway,how’s Erin? She was saying yesterday her back had been aching all day.”

“She’s not great,” I say sharply, not getting into details because I know the two of them had become friends. No point upsetting Vivienne. “I’m serious right now. Some random girl lived in my place for half a year. How did that happen? She said you gave her the keys. Is that true?”

“Yes.” The smile drops from her face instantly. Her eyes dart around nervously. “But… hang on. You asked me to give them to your girlfriend, remember?”

“When did I ever say that?” I scoff in disbelief.

“Well… about a month after you left for your rotation.”

I frown. Try to make sense of what she’s saying. I pull out my phone and scroll through my messages with Vivienne.

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