Mr. Big Jerk: A Forbidden Second Chance Romance (Kinda Cocky Series Book 3), стр. 30
I chuckled. “So, us then. Hanging out when we’re not at work.”
“Mhm.”
“Sounds kind of nice.”
“It does, with one condition, though.”
I paused. “What’s that?”
“I want to start over.”
I blinked. “Start over what?”
She smiled. “I want to start over with us. I want to become friends with you. I want to get to know you, not just your body. I want to hold off on jumping each other’s bones for a little while so we can actually have conversations.”
“Isn’t that the fun stuff, though?”
“It is, yes. But, it’s been a while since I’ve had anything like this with someone, and I’d like to do it right. Especially given our working relationship. I’d hate to fuck things up, and then have to find another job because we can’t work together anymore. Please, Clint? Do this for me?”
“So, what you’re saying is you don’t just want it to be sex.”
She nodded. “Right.”
I shrugged. “Well, neither do I.”
“Wait, really?”
“Really, really. So, if going along with this means we both get something a bit more than sex, then I’m down. I’ll wait.”
Shock rolled behind her eyes. “Not gonna lie, I’m surprised you’re agreeing to this.”
I winked. “Then, I guess you have more to learn about me than you thought.”
She sat up. “Want me to order some pizza, and we can chat for a while?”
“Can we do it naked?”
“Clint.”
I rolled my eyes. “Fine, fine. But, I’m ordering the pizza, and I’m not taking ‘no’ for an answer.”
She slid out of bed. “I eat pepperoni and mushroom with onions and spinach.”
I nodded mindlessly, my eyes watching her sauntering naked body.
“Mhm. Whatever you want,” I murmured.
15
Roxy
One Month Later
“Well, what does it say?” Kelly asked.
“You know damn good and well what it says. Look at her face!” Karina exclaimed.
Kelly held out her hand. “Give it to me. Let me see it.”
Karina rubbed my back. “What can we do? What do you need?”
I felt my entire world come to a careening halt as I stared down at that little stick. I gripped it so tightly in my hand I thought I’d break it. But, my sister slipped it from my grasp before the plastic had a chance to crack. I turned around quickly and headed back into the bathroom. There were two more tests in that box I bought, so maybe this first one was defective.
It had to be defective.
There’s no way in hell I’m pregnant.
Karina sighed. “Roxy, what are you doing?”
I closed my bathroom door. “Taking the other two tests. Hold on.”
Kelly knocked on the door. “But, you just peed.”
I sighed. “I peed into a cup, you ninnies! Give me a second.”
I ripped open the other two sticks and jammed them into the glass cup. I paced around in the bathroom with my hands clasped behind my back, hoping and praying these tests gave me the answer I needed. I mean, yes, I forgot to update my Nexplanon implant. Yes, I missed the doctor’s appointment due to a lunch date with Clint. But, a two-day delay in changing out that implant couldn't possibly mean this. Clint and I hadn’t been together in over a month! And I sure as hell hadn’t been with anyone else.
A knock came at the door. “It’s been three minutes.”
Kelly’s voice gave me pause, and I whipped around to stare at the cup on the counter. The door opened, and I heard my two best friends pad into the bathroom. But, I couldn't reach out for the cup. Dread filled my gut. I felt my knees growing weak. So, Karina did the honors for me.
She took out both of the sticks and shook them off in the sink.
“Oh, boy,” she murmured.
I swallowed hard. “Oh, no.”
Kelly took my hand. “That doesn’t sound good, Karina. What is it?”
Karina looked up at me. “They’re both positive, Roxy.”
Tears rushed my eyes as Kelly squeezed my hand. I felt myself teetering before something clattered to the floor. I felt a grip on my upper arms before my legs started moving as if they were possessed. And when I felt my ass touch down against the edge of my mattress, tears fell down my cheeks.
“Do you know who the father is?” Kelly asked softly.
I slowly looked over at her. “What the fuck kind of question is that?”
Karina rubbed my back. “Go easy on us, now. You know your history.”
I whipped my head around. “Fuck both of you for thinking I don’t know who the damn father is.”
Kelly rubbed my thigh. “Then, are you comfortable telling us who it is?”
I closed my eyes. “Both of you have to swear you won’t tell a soul. And I mean, both of you.”
Silence fell across the room before I opened my eyes.
“I’m not hearing anyone swear anything,” I said flatly.
Karina nodded. “Of course, I promise.”
Kelly kissed my cheek. “You have my word, sis.”
I drew in a deep breath. “Clint.”
Kelly blinked. “What about Clint?”
Karina scoffed. “Stop it, Kelly.”
I looked between the both of them as their eyes slowly widened. Then, Kelly gasped.
“Holy shit, Clint’s the father.”
I snickered. “There’s the lightbulb.”
Karina shook her head. “When in the world did this happen? How did we not know about any of this?”
I sighed. “Not like the three of us have been very close lately. The two of you have your lives, and you don’t give a shit about your single friends.”
Kelly clicked her tongue. “That’s not true.”
I peered over at her. “When’s the last time you and I had ‘just a sister’ outing. You and me, without your man checking in or tagging along or calling you in the middle of our date. When did that last happen?”
And when she didn’t give me an answer, I stood to my feet.
“My God, what am I going to do?” I whispered.
“You have to tell him,” Karina said.
Kelly stood to her feet with me. “At some point in time, you do have to tell him. He has a right to know.”
I turned to face them. “Yes, but I tell him. Which means the two of you keep your lips shut.”
Karina