Baby Be Mine(Spinsters & Casanovas Series Book 1)(113)

“Why not?” Whitney asked. “You are having a baby. Have you thought of the consequences yet? This isn’t all fun and games. You have a baby inside you. You must devote all your time and energy to looking after that baby.”

The tension among the friends was evident as Clarice straightened her back and looked sharply at both women.

“Are you guys saying I’m incapable of looking after my own baby, that I need someone to help me care for my child?” Clarice said quietly, angry but most of all hurt.

“I’m not saying that, Clarice,” Whitney said. “All I’m saying is I worry about you.”

“I have Max,” Clarice pointed out.

“He doesn’t live with you,” Whitney negated her reasoning.

“He could live with me,” Clarice retorted. “Plus, Mum and Dad would visit me nearer to time too.”

“That’s not the point,” Elise said.

“Then what are you two getting at?”

“We’re worried about you at nighttime,” Whitney said. “What happens if labor begins and you can’t get in contact with us? What happens if Max is out and you can’t get in contact with him? You need to tell Anton, Clarice. It’s his right as the father.”

“But he doesn’t know anything about this. It was supposed to be just a normal transaction, a one-night stand even. I just wanted his sperm, and now I got it. So stop making me feel guilty about this whole situation.”

Clarice really thought she was suffering from constant mood swings. A minute ago, she was so mad she just wanted to turn the whole place upside down, and now she just felt this niggling annoyance with her friends.

“You didn’t ask for his permission, Clarice. It was a one-night stand that resulted in a baby. Shouldn’t he at least know he has a baby too? And if he doesn’t want the baby, then at least we know he’s an ass,” Whitney said.

“Whitney, please, I don’t think it’s a good idea,” Clarice pleaded. She could feel the arrow of guilt digging into her heart. Was she at fault here? She just wanted a baby and now she got it. That’s it. End of story. So why were her friends so damn adamant about her telling Anton?

“I think it’s a good idea,” Elise said. “It’s his right. If he rejects you, then at least you know. Plus, what are you going to tell your baby when he or she grows up? Wouldn’t your child want to know the father too?”

“And you can’t lie to your child that he was conceived through artificial insemination, because that’s just plain mean. It’s a sin to lie,” Whitney interjected before Clarice could make another excuse.

“You guys are making me feel guilty here.” Clarice gasped in exasperation.

“Just offering advice,” Whitney said, patting her shoulder.

“Enough with the advice,” Clarice snapped, then went out into the lounge to sit on the couch. “Where’s Max? I haven’t seen him at all. Shouldn’t he be here to congratulate me too? I called him from the hospital.” Clarice rambled on, hoping her friends would drop the subject of her telling Anton about their baby.

“You were sleeping the whole time we drove you home. Of course you wouldn’t remember. Max texted us to pick you up. He said he had something important to do, so he’ll see you at home,” Elise explained.

And speaking of the devil, Max walked in looking sulky, carrying bags of groceries, which was unnatural for him. It was mainly Clarice who did the shopping for him, or else her cousin would raid her fridge. So to see Max carrying bags into her house was very surprising to all three friends.