Friends to Lovers (Heart of Hope 6)

“So? What about you? Your life isn’t uncomplicated. You’ve got a business and now an employee. You’re carrying a child, which isn’t always easy.”

I laughed. “I’m exhausted.”

“Yes. You need to take care of yourself. And he needs to know. He’d want to know.”

“I know. I did try to call and tell him. That’s when I found out about the fiancé.”

She shook her head. “There’s something fishy about that.”

I lifted my head to look at her. “Can you not tell Jude about all this yet? I needed to tell someone…my best friends, but it adds more stress if I have to worry about what Jude will do or say?”

She nodded. “I won’t tell him for now. But you need to tell Cy. You know you do. I remember you telling me how I needed to tell Jude that Maya was his.”

“And you were worried about it. I’m worried too.”

She tugged me to her side again. “I know. But I’m here for you, Petal. Whatever Cy does, you can count on me and Jude to help you, just like you helped me with Maya. God, Maya will be thrilled.”

I managed a smile. I felt some relief at not carrying the burden on my own and knowing April had my back. But I was still not sure what to do about Cy? Did I arrange to go see him? Did I text him? I hadn’t tried to call since Thanksgiving break, but he hadn’t called me either.

“Tell me you’re going to call him tonight,” she said. “You were right about my telling Jude. I messed it up and it almost cost me this wonderful life I have.”

“I don’t think not telling him soon enough is going to cost me a happily ever after with him.” Tears sprang to my eyes.

“But he might be angry if you don’t tell him soon. Eventually it will get out and it’s something he needs to hear from you.”

She was right, of course. “I’ll tell him.” I wiped my tears. “I should get back to the shop. Libby hasn’t run it on her own yet.”

“Yes, of course.” She stood and picked up her coffee taking it to the kitchen. “I’d like to get a dozen cupcakes before I go.”

“I’ve got cupcakes,” I said.

She came out of the kitchen and gave me a hug. “No matter what, you’ve got me, okay? I’m here for you.”

I wrapped my arms around her. “Thank you.”

“Of course. Can I ask when you’re due?”

“August.”

She did the mental math. “So around Halloween or right after, huh?”

It had to be the witch costume. I remembered we didn’t use any birth control that night. I always thought I was smarter than that, but a little alcohol and a very, hot, sexy man, and things like birth control left my mind.

“Let’s just say I’ll probably dress up as Raggedy Ann next year.”

She snorted. “If you have a boy, can be Raggedy Andy.” She gave me another hug. “It will turn out okay, Petal. Whatever happens, you’ll be okay.”

From her lips to God’s ears, I thought.

We headed back to the bakery, and while Libby looked a little harried as she worked the espresso machine as a two-person line queued at the counter, all looked fine.

I helped her serve the customer and got April her dozen cupcakes and proceeded with the day.

That night, I ate dinner, worked on my bookkeeping making sure I’d be financially able to raise a child. Then I cleaned my house and tried to figure out how I was going to raise a baby in my little apartment. Basically, I was doing anything and everything I could to avoid calling Cyrus. Finally, I decided it was too late to call, and I went to bed. It was wrong, but I couldn’t bear to hear him be angry or upset.

As the week wore on, I still didn’t call. I was a coward. Or maybe I was hoping this was all a bad dream. Then I’d feel guilty about wishing the baby was a bad dream, because despite the complication of being pregnant, I was already attached to the little being growing inside me.

On Friday, I was in the middle of an afternoon rush, when my phone pinged in my pocket. I couldn’t check it then, but twenty minutes later, after Libby and I got everyone served their cupcakes and coffees, I checked the message. It was from April