Page 15 of Ruthless Secrets
Sam groans. “Please tell me you used protection, Clara.”
“I was heartbroken and one bottle of tequila in, so it must have slipped my mind.”
“Clara!”
“Sam, I swear, if you could have seen this man you would be congratulating me rather than scolding me.”
“Well, unfortunately for you, he’s not here. Please tell meyou at least know his name…” Sam’s voice trails off when she catches the look on my face.
“It wasn’t high on my list of priorities at the time!”
“Clearly.” Sam sighs. “Okay, well, I guess there’s only one way to find out.”
Sam gets up and grabs her purse off the kitchen counter before coming to sit beside me again. She starts rooting around inside her purse.
“What are you doing?”
“Looking for this.” She pulls out a pregnancy test.
“Why do you have a pregnancy test in your purse?”
“For situations like this,” Sam says matter-of-factly. “Now get your butt in the bathroom and pee on the stick.”
I know there’s no point in arguing with her, so I take the test and go and lock myself in my tiny bathroom.
“I can’t believe I’m doing this.” I rip open the test and sit down on the toilet.
Adam and I were together for five years and never once did we have a pregnancy scare. We were always vigilant about using protection. While we knew we wanted to have kids at some point, we wanted to make sure we were financially secure enough and lived in an apartment that wasn’t the size of a shoe box.
Or I guess he was vigilant with me.
But that’s not the question. The thing is, I am even less financially secure now, and the thought of living in a shoebox sounds like luxury to me. The thought of adding a baby to the mix makes me feel sick with dread.
But Sam is right. There’s only one way to find out.
After I finish peeing on the stick, I set it on the side of the sink and wash my hands.
I don’t want to take it out into the living room and see the look on Sam’s face as we wait for the results. I already knowwhat I did was stupid, and I don’t need her to remind me of the fact.
I have a feeling that this test is going to do that for me.
“It’s been long enough!” Sam calls from the other room.
“Here goes nothing…”
I turn over the test.
I didn’t think it was possible for my life to be any more of a dumpster fire until I look down and see the two pink lines staring back at me.
Chapter Four
CLARA
Fifteen monthslater
My feet are killingme despite the fact that I’m wearing tennis shoes, but I guess it doesn’t matter what you’re wearing when you’re on your feet for ten hours a day. They’re going to hurt regardless.
I’d love to say that the sore feet and aching back are all worth it, but being a manager of a restaurant isn’t exactly my version of the American dream. I’m not even sure what my dreamisanymore.
