Total pages in book: 28
Estimated words: 26178 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 131(@200wpm)___ 105(@250wpm)___ 87(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 26178 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 131(@200wpm)___ 105(@250wpm)___ 87(@300wpm)
Of course, Mimi and I are as different as night and day. We both have curly brown hair, but that’s where the similarities stop. Whereas I’m short, thick and curvy, my buddy is tall, slender and beautiful with a big bust too. Plus, she can sing and dance, whereas I’m a klutz. Hence, Mimi’s career as a showgirl.
My friend answers the phone on the second ring. Her voice is groggy and I know I must have woken her up. “Hey, girl. You know it’s too early in the morning for me. I didn’t get to bed until 4 a.m. last night.”
“I know. I’m sorry. I just…”
“What’s wrong?” The grogginess in her voice evaporates and I can tell by her tone I’ve got Mimi’s full attention.
Knowing I don’t have to sugar coat anything with my buddy, I blurt it out. “I think I’m pregnant, Mims! I don’t know how I’m going to tell Bruce. I should have been more careful.”
Mimi’s silent a moment before speaking.
“Okay,” she says calmly. “First of all, it takes two to tango, so this is on Bruce just as much as you. But before we even go there, have you taken a pregnancy test yet?”
“No,” I reply in a miserable tone. “It didn’t occur to me until just a few moments ago, but I can’t remember when my last period was, and I’ve been getting sick every morning for the last couple weeks. We use protection too! Most of the time, that is.”
Mimi clucks. “Well honey, sometimes no matter how safe we are, things are just meant to be. But I don’t want you working yourself up until you know for sure. You need to take a pregnancy test stat. Are you at Bruce’s place now?”
I blush. Mimi is one of the only people who know that I’ve basically moved into my boyfriend’s apartment, but it still feels like I’m letting the cat out of the bag. “Yes.”
“Good. Then go downstairs to the hotel’s drugstore because they should sell pregnancy tests, and then you’ll know for sure in a few minutes. One step at a time, okay?”
I inhale and nod even though she can’t see me. “Yes, okay. I can do that. Thanks, Mims.”
“Anytime, girlfriend. Call me if you need me after.”
“I will. Thanks again.”
As soon as we hang up, I take a deep breath and summon my courage. I have to do this. Stepping into Bruce’s private elevator, I head downstairs, trying not to make eye contact with any personnel. I’m certainly not looking my normal self, and I don’t want to explain my disheveled state either. Fortunately, I’m able to make it to the drugstore without being too noticeable, and I head straight to the family planning section, eager to grab what I need and get back upstairs.
I roll my eyes when I see they keep the pregnancy tests right next to the condoms. Sort of a, “if you forgot the protection, here’s a test to see your results” kind of thing. How ironic. My hand reaches for a box, but then a voice interrupts my reverie.
“Trying to find something small enough for your new boyfriend?” it cackles.
I freeze. This can’t be happening. I tuck the pregnancy test close to my body, and spin around. Of course, it’s my ex Carl looking very blond and tanned with an ugly sneer on his handsome face.
I realize I have no clue what I ever saw in him in the first place. What was it about this boy? He’s just no good through and through, and my stomach literally roils again at his presence. But then Carl reaches for a pack of condoms and holds it out for me to see like he’s showing off a trophy. “I need the Magnum XLs, but I’m sure you can find something in a smaller size for your aging sugar daddy.”
I gasp. Bruce is thirty-five and certainly not over the hill! But there’s no sense in arguing with Carl. I merely smile tightly and try to make my way around my ex. But before I can make my getaway, Carl grabs my arm and spins me around to face him.
“What the hell?” I gasp.
The smug smirk is gone and has been replaced by tight lips and eyes that are almost black with pure hatred. His gaze darts to the pregnancy test clutched in my hands, and then back to me. “Now I see what’s going on,” he snaps. “I wasn’t good enough for you, huh, you whore. I’m just some lowly golf pro, so you traded up for Bruce Wilshire, the playboy billionaire himself. You weren’t one for slumming it, so you went after the boss instead, huh?”
My eyebrows draw together and I narrow my eyes at him. Now I’m the one that pissed.
“Are you kidding me?” I poke him in the chest with a finger. “You cheated on me! You screwed Cindy from reception right in front of me while we were on a date in that theater. Me leaving you had nothing to do with Bruce. I didn’t even meet him until after, not that it’s any of your business. And I damn sure don’t want him for his money! I make my own money and I’ve always been just fine taking care of myself.”