Now, though, she was taking me on a babycation? What in the hell was that? I'd never heard of a babycation before.
I groaned. “Lila, I appreciate it, I really do, but you know I hate when you spend money on me.”
“What are friends for?” she said, smiling at me as we drove into San Diego. “Especially friends with money? Besides, I didn't actually have to pay for this one. I got it complimentary.”
I cocked an eyebrow. “Complimentary?”
“Yeah, from the cruise line. Because I am a valued customer,” she said.
She rifled through her bag until she found what she was looking for. She pulled out an envelope, handing it to me. Confused, I opened it up and read the pamphlet that said she'd won a free cruise for her and a friend—on the same cruise line we were on before.
The same cruise I got knocked up on.
I groaned again. “I can’t, Lila. Not again,” I said. “And especially not pregnant.”
“You hardly look pregnant, Josie,” she said.
“Hardly?” I asked, lifting up my shirt and showcasing my growing belly for her.
“Please, it’s not nearly as big as you seem to think. And besides, it’s not like you go nude anyway,” she shrugged. “No one will be able to tell under your one-piece swimsuit.”
“My swimsuit doesn’t even fit me anymore.”
“We’ll get you another one. They have stores on the boat, remember?”
I did remember. Most of the shops on the boat only seemed to sell itty bitty bikinis, though. They didn’t seem to sell many swimsuits fit for a pregnant chick. By that point, though, it was too late to turn around. Not that Lila would have done so anyway, even if I’d asked. She was bound and determined to take me on this babycation and would probably hog-tie me and throw me in the trunk to make sure I took it.
Maybe she was right, though. Maybe I actually did need a vacation before the baby came. And if push came to shove, I could always hang out in the room with the comfy beds and sleep. Because God knew, I need more sleep than usual these days. Surely, He wouldn’t begrudge a girl for trying to get a little rest.
“You know I’m just going to eat and sleep, right?” I said, cocking an eyebrow at her.
“Fine with me,” Lila sang.
“Won’t you get bored? I’ll be such a buzzkill,” I said. “You should have brought Jason along. Or at least, somebody who’s a little more fun these days.”
“Jason is coming too,” she said. “He’s staying in his own room, however.”
She saw the look I gave her and continued, laug
hing as she spoke, “And don’t worry. If we hook up, it'll be in his room. Not ours.”
“You mean when, not if,” I said.
Part of me was jealous that Lila had found a long-term partner on that fateful cruise. I was envious that she had a wonderful relationship while all I got was a baby bump and no father in sight. Not that I saw Gavin as long-term partner potential. He was definitely into hooking up with random women, after all. That was his thing. He wouldn't want little ol' me, and he especially wouldn't want a baby.
We parked and as I stared out at the enormous ship on the dock, I had to ask, “You don't think Gavin will be here, do you?”
Lila shrugged. “What are the odds of that?”
“Well, he did say he went on a lot of these.”
“He said he was a regular and it wasn't his first time,” Lila sighed. “Not like he lives on the boat or anything.”
She was probably right. What were the odds? I'd just avoid the club, stick to my room and keep an eye out for him. Not that I wouldn't savor another night with him, but there was no way he'd be able to see my naked form and not know I was with child.
That would be one awkward conversation.
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