Free His Change of Heart: Unexpected Pregnancy Romance by MP John Page B

wallow in self pity, and deal with what she was going through.

       “Ave, are you okay?”
      “Yeah, why?” she asked, dreading the inevitable answer.
       “You don’t sound well. Are you sure everything is fine? I’m not calling at a bad time, am I?” Kat giggled sheepishly.
        A “bad time” for Kat meant only one thing—that she was in bed with Will and she was interrupting their lovemaking. So, Will hadn’t said anything to Josh and Kat. She wondered why. He probably hadn’t gotten around to it, at least not yet. Or he had decided not to tell them. But, eventually they would figure it out.
        “No, no, I just stepped out from the shower.” She was glad that she didn’t have to explain anything to Kat.
       “Good. So, are we on for lunch at Le Penuche? I’m calling everyone to make certain they arrive on time, and we don’t have to wait for anyone, you know with it’s like, being the weekend and all.”
       “Oh, no, Kat! I’m so sorry. I totally forgot about it.”
     
       She didn’t forget, but she wasn’t going to tell Kat the real reason she didn’t want to meet with her and the other girls. And the thought of sitting through lunch with a group of young women, hearing them brag about their perfect relationships wasn’t exactly on her agenda right now. She didn’t think she would be able to hold up without running from the room in tears. And since she wasn’t exactly up to telling them about what had happened with Will, she thought it was better if she backed out of this one and spend the day alone, drowning her sorrows in a bottle of wine with Jules. At least Jules didn’t know any of the girls.
       “What do you mean you forgot? We planned this weeks if not months ago. You never forget anything, Ave. What am I suppose to tell the other girls? You are the only one who wouldn’t be there.”
       “Tell them I’m so sorry,” Avery said in an apologetic voice.
     
       Kat was taking her bridesmaids to lunch, and then onto the spa for the full treatment—facials, manicures, pedicures, body massages. She felt it was necessary that everyone spent the time together before she took the final walk down the aisle. She hated having to cancel on Kat and the other girls, but she was dealing with a broken heart here—something much, much bigger than Kat’s bruised ego.
       “I really wish I could come, I really do, but today really isn’t such a good time for me. I will make it up to you, Kat, I swear. Can we do something next week, lunch, maybe?”
       “Sure. I can’t believe you won’t be there with us, Ave. I was really counting on you showing up. You are my maid of honor. It wouldn’t feel right or the same without you. Are you sure you are okay? You sound funny. Is Will there with you? Is there something going on between you two?”
       “Goodness, no,” Avery lied, ignoring Kat’s other questions. “I think I’m coming down with something. Some of the students were off sick with the flu this week. I think I’m getting what they had.”
       She managed to get in a few coughs and sniffles for effect. She hated the bold faced lie, but she had to come up with something plausible to convince Kat that the only reason she was missing lunch and the spa was because she had suddenly taken ill. And knowing Kat, she wouldn’t have taken it any other way.
        If Kat knew the real reason she was backing out, she would probably jump in her car, and be over here in no time. Kat would literally drag her out of the house.
       “In that case, you get a free pass. Stay in bed. I can’t risk getting sick this close to my wedding.” Kat actually sounded terrified. “I want to enjoy my honeymoon.”
      “I’m already in bed.”
       “With Will, I hope. He can afford to get what you have, but I can’t. Let him take care of you. Ask him to get you some chicken soup. There’s a great place on Fifth Avenue—I’ll call them right now and place an