Free The Certainty of Deception by Jeanne McDonald Page A

you’re far enough along now that it won’t harm the baby.”
    “Why can’t you simply trust that this is your child?  Am I so horrible that you want to be rid of me?  It’s bad enough that my best friend left me when I needed her the most,” Olivia sniffled, dabbing her eyes. 
    Leaning forward, I placed my elbows on my knees, holding my head between my hands.  She wasn’t the only one McKenzie had abandoned.  It was true that I wanted to get Mickie back; that was all I could think about, but I was also hurt.  Just as hurt as Olivia.  Maybe even more.
    “It’s not that.”
    The sounds of the Gulf filled the silence between us.  I tilted my head, catching a glance at Olivia who was staring off in the distance.
    “Then what?”
    I swallow thickly.  “You’ve dealt with my parents regarding the wedding arrangements, so it really shouldn’t come as a surprise to you that my father would also demand this test?”
    “Your father?”
    “We have an image to uphold.  You know that Wise men don’t get divorces.  We’ve made a million jokes about that in the past.”
    “What does a divorce have to do with us?”
    “It’s about reputation, Olivia.  How do you think it looks to my father that I got a woman pregnant to whom I’m not married?”
    “You’re a grown man,” she argued.
    “Yes, with a family reputation and fortune.  My father is a traditionalist.  Age doesn’t matter.  Decorum does.”
    “You sound like one of those stupid books Kenz was always reading.”
    I chuckled, nodding.  “Yeah, well, my father is still stuck in the stone ages, but like I said, it’s not only him.  I want it done too.  I need it done.”  If only to prove to myself that I could really be so stupid as to sleep with someone when I was in love with someone else.  
    Olivia opened her mouth then snapped it shut.  Moments passed as she postulated the request.  “If I agree to do the test, will you please start treating me like I matter?” she finally asked.
    I sat up straight, shifting my position to face her.  It was like a heavy weight was being lifted off of my chest.  “I promise.”
    “Okay.  We’ll do the test when we return from Boston.”
    “Thank you,” I breathed a sigh of relief.
    A small smile appeared on Olivia’s face as she nodded.  “Now, let me help you pack.  I can’t stand the idea of you high rolling in Vegas wearing half the crap you have out here.”
    “What makes you think we’re going to Vegas?”
    She shrugged.  “Where else would you go for a bachelor getaway?  It’s the only logical location.”  Olivia stood up, grabbing my suitcase off of the floor. 
    “I guess,” I said, moving to help her.  Who was I to argue with her logic?  Sometimes ignorance is bliss and I was going to allow Olivia to remain ignorant for as long as was necessary.

Chapter Five

    “Seriously?”  Jared rested his hand on my shoulder, buckled over in laughter.  “A rubber duck?”
    “I’m serious.  She wore this bright yellow sundress and waddled when she walked.  It’s not like she’s really all that big, but the woman acts as though she’s nine months pregnant,” I exaggerated.
    “Tell me you quacked at her,” Gavin snickered.  He leaned against the counter, thrumming his fingers.  Patience was not one of Gavin’s virtues and at the pace the rental attendant was going, it’d be Christmas before we got a car.
    “I wanted to , but I refrained.  She was already pissed.  I didn’t need to add fuel to the fire.” 
    “ Here are your keys, Mr. Wise,” the young clerk said.  He dropped the keys into my open palm with a smile.  “Have a nice stay in Amarillo.”
    “Thanks,” I replied.  I motioned my head toward the door, grabbing the handle of my luggage.  “You guys ready?”
    “Been ready,” Gavin stated, blowing a breath of exasperation. 
    Jared still cackled on about my retelling of my night with Olivia.  It was a fact that Jared and Olivia never