Page 234 of The Baby Bargain

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I'm not telling them until the second trimester. But I have to say something.

Maybe I can pass this off as the flu.

Or mono.

A food sensitivity?

There must be something.

It's just morning sickness. (Sure, I know, from the books that it isn't always morning, but can't someone come up with a different name? It's just inaccurate).

I can excuse it.

I can handle it. The ginger tea is downstairs. I just need to stand.

I press my hands to the toilet lid. Push myself up.

My head spins. My knees knock.

Nope.

Back to the ground.

I reach for my cell. Call Chase.

"Ariel." His voice is the picture of concern. "What's wrong?"

"I'm just a little—" Ugh. I swallow another wave. "I'll be okay."

"I'll be there in ten." He hangs up before I can object.

Chapter Forty-Nine

Chase

Ariel answers the door with a giant white bowl pressed to her chest. Her eyes narrow. "How could you do this to me?"

I arch a brow.

She presses the bowl to her chest. "You've put me in this condition."

"I'm responsible?"

"Yeah, you shouldn't have listened to me. Pregnancy isn't beautiful. It's horrible, hideous torture."

"I brought club soda."

Her gaze softens. "You're still evil."

"I know." I wrap my arm around her waist. "Come on, princess."

"I'm trying to hate you."

"I know."

"If you're sweet, it's harder to hate you."

"Should I be cruel?"

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