The Lovely Garden by Emma Mohr Page A

chest told me so. “Go, to tell him. I can find my comfort somewhere else.”
    “With someone else, you mean.” She had me there. If Jenny abandoned me that night, I had planned on calling Charles. At least, I knew he was good company. And we could talk about his friend that was looking to hire. A win-win for me. Just hoped he didn’t feel guilty for me being fired. Wasn’t his fault my boss was a prick. “I’d ask how the date was, since we’re on that subject, but I already know, you little slut.”
    I raised my eyebrows. “Says the pregnant one.”
    “Whoa-whoa. I’m allowed to be pregnant. I’m married. You’re the one who just dove legs open on a first date.”
    “Hey. It’d been a while. I thought I would treat myself.”
    “And I bet you did.” Then, her tone changed to excitement. “Was he good in bed? I always imagined he was.”
    My face was radiating heat. “Yes.” Good was an understatement. He had been great. The best I had ever had, honestly. But I couldn’t tell Jenny that for fear of passing out.
    She smiled at me, her face glowing. “I’m happy for you. It was about time you got laid.” Damn straight, it had been. “Is there a relationship budding?”
    The blush started to dissipate. “I think so. We spent the entire weekend together.” If Jenny’s eyes bulged out any more, they were going to fall out. “We hadn’t officially set up another date yet, but I have a feeling if I called him tonight, he would come over.”
    “A feeling?” Jenny had the ability to raise one eyebrow. I had always been jealous of that. “Girl, that man has been googly eyes for you since before I set this date up. I would have done it sooner if I had known this might have happened.”
    “Well, if someone had allowed me to remain sober every time I had met him, I might have remembered he was a nice guy before this and would have wanted to date him.” At the very least, I would have known I was physically attracted to him. A woman doesn't slap a man’s ass for no reason, even drunk. Well, this woman didn’t.
    “Ooh. Don’t you blame this on me. The only reason why I get you drunk is so you have fun. Otherwise, you’d be hiding in the corner of the room hissing at anyone who came near you like a stray cat.” She had me there. I wasn’t very good at parties or meeting new people. It could explain why I was so terrible at dates, aside from I mostly would rather not be there.
    Tara arrived with a smile on her face and our food in her hands. We thanked her as she sat the massive plates in front of us and declined when she asked if we needed anything else. When she had left, I asked, “How are you going to tell Billy?”
    “What? That I’m pregnant or that you slept with his boss and liked it?” The look I gave her said she knew exactly what I meant. “I’m just going to tell him when I get home. As long as he’s not asleep by then. If I leave him alone for too long, he just passes out on the couch.”
    “If he is, just wake him up. It’s a series conversation, so I’m sure he wouldn’t mind.” Jenny was just making excuses not to tell him. This pregnancy was completely unplanned, and she was afraid of what he would saw when she told him. “The sooner you get it over with, the sooner you guys can figure everything out.” Just like ripping off a Band-Aid. Though that was more for pain and less for planning.
    “You’re right.” She used her fork to push her food around. “What if he doesn’t want it?”
    I gave her my best are-you-fucking-kidding-me look. “Does that sound like your husband? The husband that was disappointed when you screamed in the middle of a party that you would never have kids again?” To be fair, Jenny hadn’t had the easiest first pregnancy. She had severe morning sickness, cramps, and terrible swelling. Seeing her that way was enough for me to second guess myself wanting children.
    A small, reassured smile lit up her face. “You’re right. He’s going to