One Perfect Touch (Very Irresistible Bachelors 3)

My heart rate accelerated. My palms became sweaty. I hadn’t expected this.

I sat up. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I didn’t know if you’d want them, but I bought them just in case.”

I sat there, not making any motion, trying to steady my breathing.

Tess pressed her lips together. “Or we can find an open pharmacy and walk over there... give you some time to get used to the idea.”

I grinned. She knew me so well.

“It’s fine, I’m not a coward.”

“It’s not about that. It’s a huge thing. It’s okay to be scared.”

I smiled, but it was a little wobbly. My whole body seemed to vibrate on the rhythm of my pulse.

Wordlessly, my sister took two small packages out of her bag. “They’re different brands,” she said.

I grabbed both, heading straight to the bathroom. I was tremendously happy that I was doing this with my sister and not alone.

I did the tests one after the other, drew up my panties, flushed the toilet, and washed my hands before opening the door.

Tess stood against the wall, hands crossed in front of her. Her eyes widened, glancing at the two sticks I held up. They still had no results, but I couldn’t take the anxiety of waiting on my own.

“How many minutes?” Tess said.

“I don’t know. Haven’t checked the instructions.”

“That’s the most un-Skye thing you’ve ever said.” My sister laughed, putting her hands on my shoulders. “It’s going to be fine either way, sis,” Tess said. “I know it will.”

Everything hinged on the next few minutes.

We sat in one of the changing rooms, huddled together. I was holding my breath. If it weren’t for Tess’s periodic elbows to my arm, I would have forgotten to breathe altogether.

“Ah!” I exclaimed when two lines appeared on the first screen. “What does this mean? Two lines.”

“Pregnant,” Tess said. Her voice was wobbly. I clutched her hand, squeezing her fingers. She squeezed right back, taking the second test from my free hand because I was too shaky. Two lines popped up on that one too, and I felt as if I’d been hit by an ocean wave. The floodgates of emotions flew open.

My skin turned clammy and then was so cold that I began to shiver. I pressed one hand to my chest, which seemed to be expanding by the second. Tess was saying something, but I only heard part of it.

“Say that again.”

“Congratulations. I’m so psyched.”

She was grinning and hugging me, and in my sister’s arms, I discovered that among the overwhelming wave of emotions, I was psyched too. I hugged her back tightly, so grateful for her, immediately resolving that I wouldn’t have just one kid. Having a sibling was the best thing.

Wow. Where did that thought come from?

“How do you feel?” she asked.

“Happy? Terrified? Is it possible to feel both?”

“Absolutely. I know what you need. Something delicious. That always makes everything better. Umm... so vanilla puffs are not on the list anymore. Mac and cheese? Wait, that’s soft cheese, right? Is that good for the baby? Do you have to give it up? Then I promise I’ll give it up with you.”

“You love mac and cheese.”

“I live for it. But for my niece or nephew, I can totally make a sacrifice.”