My Dad's Bestfriend

Chapter 206

Evelyn

Two days had passed since the excitement of Jacob's proposal, but something else had been gnawing at me like a relentless leech. One nagging, soul-crushing question: Was I even on the pill?

The fact that I couldn't remember was maddening. It felt like trying to grasp smoke. I needed to know-desperately. And worse, there was no one I could ask.

Who else would know about my pregnancy precautions? That was my responsibility. Solely mine. And I had failed. Miserably.

I bit the inside of my cheek, shutting my eyes tightly, trying to will the memory back. Nothing. Just a hazy void where clarity should have been.

The only person who might help? Nancy.

Jacob was still in the shower, so I had time to call her. My fingers fumbled over my phone as I pulled up her contact and hit FaceTime.

The call rang. And rang. Anxiety surged like a tidal wave, crashing harder with each unanswered ring.

"Pick up, you stupid bitch," I muttered under my breath, pacing the room. "Come on, I need you! Pick the damn phone!"

Finally, as if the gods decided to take pity on me, Nancy answered. The screen flickered to life, revealing her sprawled across a bed, her hair tousled and a barely awake man lying beside her. I didn't recognize him, but given her track record, I didn't expect to.

She adjusted her satin nightie and gave me her signature smirk. "Hey, bitch. What's up?"

"Nancy," I blurted, barely able to contain myself. "I think I screwed up. Big time."

Her brows furrowed as she sat up slightly, though her smirk didn't falter. "Don't tell me you're already getting cold feet. Seriously, Evie, it's been like three days! Too early for a meltdown."

"No!" I snapped. "That's not it. I want to marry Jacob. There's no doubt in my mind about that."

"Then what? Spill." Her voice softened, but the confusion lingered.

I swallowed hard, avoiding her gaze. "I... I forgot when I last took my pills."

The line went silent for a beat. I braced myself for one of her classic are-you- serious-right-now looks. Instead, she blinked, processing. Then, finally:

"That's no biggie," she said with a dismissive wave. "It's all about your period. You didn't miss it, right? No way you're pregnant if"

Her words trailed off as my face betrayed me.

Period.

Fuck.

Two months. Maybe more. Exactly when had I last had it?

"Evelyn..." Her voice dropped, her playful tone replaced by something serious. "No. Tell me you're not about to say what I think you're about to say."

like a complete idiot right now, but between everything in America and the chaos of coming here... I didn't even notice I'd missed it. Not

a strangled groan and leapt out of bed, startling her bedmate, who groggily muttered something before rolling over. She didn't care. Her frustration radiated through the

do you just—" She stopped mid-rant, pressing a hand to her

feeling the weight of her words

"I don't know

Nancy's voice was sharp, breaking the tense

my throat dry. "Two months,

disbelief and concern. "You're not even sure," she muttered, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Okay, let's take a breath. Calm down first." She inhaled deeply, exhaling slowly as if hoping I'd mirror her composure. "Have you

her words hit home. My pulse raced. "All of them," I

for? Why haven't you taken a test?" Her frustration exploded, as loud and sharp as a

thought it was just fatigue, you know? I kept brushing it

neither you nor Jacob is remotely ready for," she

me. It felt like a thousand tiny spiders crawling under my skin, and the suffocating weight of uncertainty settled in my chest. "I screwed up,

panic. There's no point in panicking until you know for sure. Start with a pregnancy test, okay? Just take the first step. Then call me with

voice trembling. My hand drifted to my stomach, fingers

we'll figure it out," she said, hesitating slightly before adding, "There are... options. You know that, right? So don't stress

word options struck me

my gut. That wasn't a path I could even begin

consider. No matter how

taking that option made my

s

Her voice snapped me

"Yeah?"

asking-when are you planning to tell

still resting on my abdomen. "Let me take

it out. I don't think he'll take it

of the bathroom door opening cut my words short.

Jacob stepped out, toweling

call, shooting Nancy a quick text: I'll let

on the floor, his usual careless habit. Normally, I'd groan and tell him to throw it in the basket. Today, I couldn't

you talking to?" he asked, his tone casual as

I lied, forcing a nervous laugh. "She was just checking on me

"Hmm." His lips

curved into a small

as he leaned down,

against mine.

me, momentarily quieting the storm in my mind Come on,

murmured, rising to my

guilt twisting tighter in my chest. How am I supposed

***

office, I finally worked up the nerve