Love In Between(62)

“I am, but sometimes I forget to take it. You know I have a hectic schedule.”

“Yeah, and it’s about to get busier,” I said.

Giselle reached across the table and took my hand. “Listen, Lily, I’m thinking about getting an abortion, and I need your support.”

“You know how I feel about that, Giselle.”

“I know, and that’s why I’m begging you.”

“There’s always adoption. Do you know how many couples can’t have children?”

Suddenly, this conversation hit home as tears started to form in my eyes. “Listen, I’m not getting into this discussion with the two of you right now. I’m about to say something, and I don’t want you to ask any questions; we’ll discuss it further at my apartment, over dinner, one night. Mary isn’t my biological mother.”

Giselle and Gretchen looked at me as shock took over their faces. I held up my finger and said, “If my biological mother decided to have an abortion, I wouldn’t be sitting here with the both of you.”

Gretchen picked up her phone off the table. “Ok, everyone look at their schedules right now because we’re setting up a dinner night over at Lily’s.”

As I laughed, Giselle took a sip of her water and looked at me. “Lily, I promise I’m going to tell Lucky tonight, and the two of us will make our decision together.”

“I’m here for you, Giselle. Don’t get me wrong; I will always be here for you, no matter what you decide.”

“We’re here for you, Lily, and you can’t keep something like that from us,” Gretchen said.

“I know, and I’ll tell you everything. Let’s have dinner at my place next Tuesday, and we’ll do Chinese take-out; no guys, just us girls.”

***

As I opened the door to Luke’s apartment, I saw him lying on the couch watching TV. I threw my purse on the table, walked over to where he was, and lay down next to him, snuggling into his chest.

“How was lunch, babe?”

“A clusterf*ck,” I mumbled.

“Watch your mouth,” he said as he kissed me on the top of my head.

“Sorry, but wait until I tell you something.”

“Did something happen?”

I propped myself up and kissed him. He smiled as he nipped at my bottom lip.

“Giselle is pregnant, and Lucky’s the baby’s daddy.”

Luke’s eyes widened and his mouth dropped open. “Are you serious?”

“Yes. I wouldn’t make something like that up.”

Luke pushed himself up into a sitting position as I laid my head across his lap.

“Does Lucky know?”

“She’s telling him tonight, and she wants to have an abortion. I told both of them about Mary not being my biological mother, and we’re having dinner at my place Tuesday night so I can tell them the whole story. I couldn’t stop thinking about it, because what if my birth mother had an abortion?”

Luke ran his fingers through my hair. “I don’t want to think about that. I’m sorry lunch was such—”

“A clusterf*ck?” I said, knowing he’d tell me to watch my mouth.

As he looked down at me, he tapped me on the mouth with his fingers. “Watch your mouth, babe.”

Just as I grabbed Luke’s fingers and stuck them in my mouth, Sam and Gretchen walked through the door. I sat up and looked over at her.

“Long time no see, Gretch.”

“Ugh, what a clusterf*ck of a day!” she exclaimed as she fell into the recliner.

I stared at Luke. “Aren’t you going to tell her to watch her mouth?”

“No. Why would I tell her that?”

“You tell me that all the time!”

“That’s because you’re my girl, and I don’t want you talking like that.” He smiled as he kissed me on the nose.

“Wait a minute!” I exclaimed. “I wasn’t your girl when you were telling me that in my bathroom while you were fixing my shower.”

“Well, I sort of liked you.”

“Sort of?” I asked.

“Babe, drop it.”

I rolled my eyes and sighed as I got up, and Luke slapped me on the ass. Sam laughed, and Gretchen followed me to the kitchen to grab a beer.

“What do you think Giselle’s going to do?” I asked her.

“I honestly don’t know. You know Lucky is totally not her type, and our parents will die when they find out.”

“Well, let’s hope they make the right decision,” I said as I walked over to Luke and handed him a beer.





33

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Luke

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“Congratulations, Luke. You are now the owner of this bar!” Bernie smiled as he handed me the keys.

“Thanks, Bernie,” I said as I shook his hand.

“This was my legacy, and my passion for many years, son, and now it’s your turn. Do whatever you need to and make this bar your legacy.”

“I will, Bernie. Enjoy the retired life,” I said as I hugged him.

“I will, Luke. You two take care.” Bernie smiled as he tipped his hat and walked out the door.