Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 97767 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 489(@200wpm)___ 391(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97767 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 489(@200wpm)___ 391(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
I lean over, peering at her screen as she pulls up Luca Babineaux’s profile. His profile picture is exactly what I expect—him in his Baddies jersey, smiling at the camera like he’s uncomfortable even being photographed.
“Classic,” I comment. “The humble athlete pose.”
“Let’s dig deeper,” Nova says, clicking on his tagged photos. The first few are standard fare—team pictures, action shots on the court, and group photos at what looks like team dinners.
But then she scrolls past a photo of Luca holding a black lab retriever puppy that was posted four days ago, his smile wide and genuine.
“Oh, come on,” I groan. “He has a puppy? That’s an automatic ten points. You can’t hate on him for that.”
Nova narrows her eyes. “He’s too perfect. Of course he has a puppy.” She scoffs. “I bet he volunteers at an animal shelter on the weekends.”
“Would that really be so bad?” I tease. “You could be the one to turn him into a bad boy—like not returning library books on time.”
She snorts, scrolling further. “Fine. Maybe he’s not that terrible, but look at this.” She pauses on a photo of Luca at what looks like a team charity event.
He’s wearing a Santa hat and holding a plate of cookies while surrounded by kids.
“Aww. Santa Luca,” I say, stifling a laugh. “Too nice, too wholesome. He’d probably text you good morning and good night. What a jerk.”
“Nope.” Nova groans dramatically, tossing her phone onto the couch. “Can’t do it. I’d suffocate under all the kindness.”
“Or,” I counter. “You’d finally meet someone who doesn’t ghost you after three dates.”
Her lips twitch, but she doesn’t say anything, blue gaze drifting to the large windows.
“You know,” I say softly. “Your brother makes a valid point. A guy like Luca, who is less exciting than your last dating app match, may not be the worst thing.”
Nova doesn’t respond right away, and for a moment, the room is quiet except for the faint hum of the city outside. Then she sighs, picking up her phone again.
“I dunno.” She taps on the puppy photo again. “I’ll give him this—the dog is cute. But I’m not sold on the whole package.”
I laugh, nudging her with my elbow. “You’re impossible, you know that?”
“And proud of it,” she replies, her grin returning as she sets her phone down. “Maybe a boyfriend and kids aren’t in the cards for me.”
I roll my eyes. She is twenty-six years old.
“You make it sound like you’re seventy years old.”
“I feel seventy—like I’ve been at this for years.” Gio’s sister heaves out a massive sigh. “My ovaries are drying up.”
This is it.
The perfect window of opportunity.
I suck in a breath.
“You know whose ovaries aren’t drying up?” I quip. “Mine.”
She laughs like I’m kidding, petting the dog.
“Yeah, okay. Like you’re over here bursting with fertility or something. What are you even talking about?”
I hesitate, my fingers fidgeting with the edge of the faux fur blanket. The joke had been a test—a way to gauge how she might react. But now that the moment’s here, my throat tightens, and the words feel impossible to say.
“Well…” I trail off, forcing a casual tone. “I was being serious.”
Nova’s hand freezes mid-pet. She glances up at me, her brows knitting together in confusion.
“Wait. What?”
“I’m serious,” I say, my voice quieter now. “I’m… pregnant.”
For a moment, she just stares at me, her mouth slightly open. Then, as if to break the tension, Gio lets out a laborious yawn, and she blinks, sitting up straighter.
“Wait, wait, wait,” she says, holding up a hand. “You’re telling me—like, right now, this second—you’re pregnant?”
Unfortunately I can do nothing but nod my head. “I just found out. I have no idea how far along I am or anything…”
“Holy. Shit.” She shakes her head, a slow smile spreading across her face. “I mean… wow. Okay. This is huge. Are you okay? How do you feel? Wait—does my brother know?”
“Not yet,” I say quickly. “Dolly was there when I took the test and now I’m telling you.” I nibble at my thumbnail. “I honestly have no idea how I’m going to tell him.”
Or when.
“Wow,” she finally says, her tone softer now. “Okay. First of all, I’m honored you told me. Second…” She lets out a long breath, leaning back against the couch. “We need a plan. You can’t just wing something like this with him. He’ll probably short-circuit.”
Not probably. He is.
I groan, sinking further into the blanket. “You think I don’t know that? That’s why I haven’t said anything yet. I mean, how do I start a conversation like this?”
“Something casual like, ‘Hey, remember that one night we banged? Turns out we made a person.’” Nova shifts, pulling her legs up onto the couch and cradling Gio in her lap like the tiny, spoiled prince that he is. “Seriously, though, you’ve got to tell him soon. He deserves to know. Plus, the longer you wait, the more lonely and isolated you’re going to feel.”