Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 64406 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 322(@200wpm)___ 258(@250wpm)___ 215(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64406 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 322(@200wpm)___ 258(@250wpm)___ 215(@300wpm)
“I can take her so you two can stay,” Harrison offered, placing a hand under her elbow for support.
“No. I—”
“I’ll go,” Nikki cut Harrison off. “Nobody wants to get sick with anyone but family or a good friend around.”
Harrison tried not to be offended by the comment, knowing what Nikki meant.
“We’ll take her,” Asher said. “My driver is waiting.”
“No!” This time, Nikki’s voice rose. “You stay. Your family is here. Let me handle it.” She patted Asher’s shoulder and turned to her sister. “Come on. I’ll get you home, make you toast and jelly…” Her voice trailed off as she led Winter away.
Concern filled Harrison as he watched them walk off. He glanced at his brother. “What the hell was that about?” he asked.
Asher lifted his shoulders, looking as confused as Harrison felt. Nikki had seemed determined to get her sister out of the room.
“Women,” Asher muttered, and Harrison agreed.
* * *
Winter had taken one look at the duck, smelled the hors d’oeuvre, and needed to get away. She rushed to the ladies’ room, Nikki right behind her. Thank goodness the outer area was empty. At the sink, she turned on the cold tap and placed her wrists beneath the running water. The cold sweat and nausea began to pass.
“Are you okay?” Nikki put a gentle hand on Winter’s back.
“Yes. Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. I just needed some air.” She shut off the faucet and picked up the hotel monogrammed paper towel, and dried her hands, tossing it in the trash.
Turning, she faced her sister.
“Are you sick?” Nikki asked.
“I don’t think so.” Winter hadn’t lied to Harrison when she’d told him the same thing. “I didn’t eat a lot today, and I skipped lunch. And the food we nibbled on while dressing didn’t do much to fill me up. That’s all.”
“Really.” Nikki studied her, hands on her hips. “Then what was your excuse the other morning when you bailed on our coffee date because you were exhausted and not feeling well?”
“I—”
“Was exhausted and not feeling well,” Nikki finished for her.
Winter lifted her shoulders in a half-hearted shrug. “I didn’t realize it was becoming… a thing.”
Nikki patted the lounge chair beside the one she’d settled into, and Winter sat down. “Maybe you need to go for blood tests? See if anything is going on? You’re nauseous, tired…”
Hearing the list, Winter nodded. She’d been busy finishing writing and turning in an article that was due and stressing about the upheaval she’d caused the man who was her father, not to mention worried about Nikki and Derek despite their assurances that they were fine.
Winter hadn’t had much time to think about herself or how she was feeling. Now that she gave her issues serious consideration, she realized there were other symptoms.
“What is it?” Nikki asked into the silence.
Winter swallowed hard. “Well, I’ve gained some weight because this little black dress is a lot tighter than I remember,” she said, wishing she could loosen the material. “And my boobs hurt,” she admitted.
“Holy shit! Winter, could you be pregnant?”
She sat up straight and stared at her new sister, suddenly aware the symptoms she was experiencing could point in that direction. “I… I’m on the pill.” She rubbed her suddenly throbbing temple. “But I had strep before your engagement party and was on an antibiotic the week prior.” She thought back and tried to remember. “I think I was still taking it the night of the party… and I slept with Harrison, but we used protection. I know we did.”
“You drank. A lot. Are you sure?”
She nodded. “But if the pill was ineffective because of the antibiotic and condoms aren’t one hundred percent. Oh God,” she moaned.
She peeked through her hands as she faced her half-sister, who, at twenty-one years old, was more perceptive than Winter was at twenty-four. “I wasn’t just busy with work and my crazy exploding life, I was in deep denial.” She began to breathe too rapidly, the all too likely possibility settling in.
“Okay, so forgive me, but I have to ask. If you are pregnant, are you sure it’s Harrison’s?” Nikki’s squinted eyes and apologetic expression said it all.
Winter nodded. “There’s been nobody since… I can’t even remember right now. Definitely before I ever met Harrison.” Which made her moan again because her potential baby daddy? He didn’t want kids at all.
She’d asked that very question during their interview session where she’d channeled her inner Barbara Walters in asking uncomfortable questions her audience would want to know the answers to.
“What do you see in your future? You come from an extremely large family. Is that what you want, too? Lots of kids?” Winter had asked.
He’d laughed, showing off those sexy dimples. “Oh, hell, no. I have four adult siblings and four younger ones. I grew up in a loud, busy house. I’ll take my single life of peace and quiet, thank you.”