Page 98 of From Rome, With Hate

She pauses when she faces me again, twisting her deep red painted lips. Her gaze drops to my stomach, and the blood drains from my face. The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end as my best friend’s eyes spread wide.

“Holy shit,” she blurts, shouting over the bar music blaring overhead. “You’re pregnant, aren’t you?”

I wince, scrunching my nose, afraid to say it out loud. I’m not certain why. Maybe because Asher and I haven’t told anyone yet and, up until now, it’s been our secret.

“You never not order at least one drink when we go out.” Her gorgeous blue eyes widen even more. “You are pregnant.”

Biting down on my bottom lip, I nod.

“Charleigh!” Julianna squeals and leaps out of her chair, throwing her arms around me. She squeezes me, bouncing on her toes with excitement. She pulls away from me, and tears spring to my eyes when I see hers. A tear slips down her cheek. “I’m so happy for you both. How long have you known?”

“We just found out last week.” My mind immediately goes back to the moment we read the results of the test and the look on Asher’s face. I didn’t think it was possible to love him morethan I did in that moment. “We wanted to keep it to ourselves for a bit before telling everyone. I planned on telling the three of you tonight, and my mom this weekend, but you always have read me better than anyone.” I roll my eyes, my mouth stretching into a grin. “Apparently, all I had to do was decline an alcoholic drink.”

“I do know you well.” Julianna laughs, despite the tears flowing down her cheeks.

“And I know you.” I tuck her hair behind her ear. Her eyes well with fresh tears. “Hey, are you okay?”

“Of course.” She sniffs and dries her cheeks. “My best friend is going to have a baby!”

“What?” London shrieks from behind me.

I spin in my chair, and Julianna’s eyes dart past me.

Selene and London are standing just two feet behind me, their jaws practically on the floor.

“You’re pregnant?” Selene shouts, and if I gave a shit about anyone in this bar, I’d be completely embarrassed by her ability to make a scene, even though she is the quietest out of our group.

I give her a sheepish grin. “Yes.”

“Hell fucking yeah!” London shouts, bouncing on her feet giddily. Both women race toward me, wrapping their arms around me.

I can’t help the tears, the laughter, and the warmth radiating across my body. I sigh with happiness, knowing I’ve found my family.

“Why didn’t you tell us?” London asks, playfully slapping my arm.

“The plan was to tell you tonight.” I settle back into my seat. “I just thought we’d get through catching up with Julianna first.”

The three of us turn our attention to Julianna, who’s sitting in her chair, typing out a message on her phone. Noticing usstaring at her in silence, she stuffs her phone into her matching gold clutch and slides out from her seat.

“You met someone, didn’t you?” I ask, nodding toward her bag.

“Oh, my God,” Selene chimes in. “Was this mystery client a man you had an affair with? Is that why you’ve been so secretive these past few months?”

“I haven’t been secretive,” Julianna argues. She moves around the three of us, backing up and shimmying toward the dance floor. She sticks her arm straight out and points her finger directly at me, swaying her hips to the song playing. “Charleigh may not be able to drink tonight, but there’s nothing to say she can’t dance.”

“Hell yeah,” London says, snatching up my hand to drag me out of my seat.

“Eh,” I grumble, resisting a little. “My stomach has been feeling a bit queasy. Morning sickness isn’t restricted to only mornings, you know.”

“Oh, I’m aware.” Selene rolls her eyes, knowingly. “We have to at least dance for a little bit to celebrate, though.”

“Fine, but only for a few songs,” I agree, slipping one hand into Selene’s, the other into Julianna’s with a smile. “I don’t want to pull a Luca and ruin anyone’s night.”

“Have either of you seen Julianna?” I shout over the music to Selene and London.

Both women are leaning against the bar, sipping their glasses of prosecco, exhausted from the past hour of endless dancing. It’s their third glass, and I can already see the bubbles in their eyes.

“Um.” Selene pops up, searching over the heads of everyone in the crowd surrounding us. “Now that you mention it…”