Well Suited (Red Lipstick Coalition #4)(9)

I didn’t dislike the sensation at all. In fact, I leaned into it for just a moment.

And then I broke away.

There were things in life that I cherished, upheld as holy gospel—logic, knowledge, and truth. And in that triad, there was no room for such things as sentimentality. Feelings were false, brain chemicals and triggered dendrites. Love wasn’t real. It was a series of chemosignals that one became addicted to. Nothing more.

There was no magic to love. Because magic didn’t exist.

Not for me.

But partnership did.

And Theodore had already proven himself to be well suited for the job.

To someone more tenderhearted, our meeting would have been called fate. But to me, it was a matter of momentary compatibility. In truth, we could have been compatible for longer than that, which was in large part why I’d avoided seeing him again. The idea that I could find someone to truly be with, who would overlook my multitude of faults, was a theory I didn’t want to test. And that I liked Theo very much only deepened my aversion.

The more I liked him, the harder it would be when he realized I was impossible to endure.

And now, I was even more thankful for the distance I’d so astutely placed between us.

Because starting a relationship out of obligation and with a child hanging in the balance was a terrible idea.

And I’d keep reminding myself of that until I convinced myself it was true.





4





Exemplary Specimen





Katherine “You’re what?” Val screeched.

It was the closest word I could find for the high-pitched sound that could have come from a bird of prey were it not for syllables. I didn’t think raptors had the tongue dexterity to form syllables.

“Pregnant,” I said again, though a little slower, just in case she’d actually misheard me. I could never be sure.

Rin blinked. Val gaped. Amelia’s arms were folded, her lips a disapproving line.

“I can’t believe you told Theo before you told us,” she said again.

We sat in our kitchen. Well, I sat. My three roommates stood around the island, staring at me in disbelief.

“Well, no one was here, and his sperm had created the embryo. It doesn’t seem that unrealistic that I’d go straight to him.”

The three of them gave me a look.

“I was going to text you when I left,” I added.

It didn’t faze them.

“What are you going to do?” Rin asked, her porcelain face touched with worry and dark hair falling over her shoulders.

My brows flicked together. “Have the baby.”

“Alone?” Val’s question was dubious. She crossed her arms, leaning the wide curve of her hip on the counter.

I opened my mouth to answer, but Amelia beat me to it.

“Theo wants her to move in with him.”

Val’s and Rin’s faces immediately softened into smiles.

“That’s genius,” Rin said. “Amelia will be right upstairs, and when the baby comes, Theo will be right there to help.”

My frown deepened. “But I’ll have to live with strangers. Lots of strangers. I haven’t done that since freshman year with you three.”

“But wouldn’t it be better than you being all by yourself?” Val asked.

“I can’t imagine how. I’ll go from blissful solitude to reminding Theodore to put the toilet seat down. Everything will change.”

“Everything’s already going to change,” Val pointed out helpfully.

I realized I was pouting and smoothed my face. “So why pile more change on top of the inevitable?”

“She fainted,” Amelia blurted, her cheeks flushed and voice high.

I pinned her with a look. She wouldn’t meet my eyes.

“She swooned and fainted, and Theo caught her and had time to call us down before she even woke.”

Now, they were only concerned.

“Oh my God,” Rin breathed, reaching for my hand. “Are you all right?”

“My blood sugar was low,” I huffed. “It won’t happen again.”

“You don’t know that,” Amelia countered, her little mouth set in a firm line. “She could hurt herself, and no one would be here to help her.”

“I’m pregnant, not infirmed.”

“I know that,” she said, “but it’s not just you anymore. You have your embryo to worry about.”

My nose wrinkled. She was right, I knew, but I didn’t want to move. I wasn’t ready for that much change.

Rin and Val exchanged a glance.

“Maybe we could move back,” Rin said.

Val nibbled her lip. Rin’s eyes were wary.

And I shook my head. “Rin, you should live with your fiancé. Court’s place is right next to work, and you’re about to get married. And Val, you and Sam are just starting out.”

“I don’t like the thought of you being alone,” Val said quietly.

I sighed, trying to release the pressure in my chest, but it did little good.

“Well,” Rin started, “you don’t have to move in now. I mean, the first trimester is kinda dodgy anyway, right? So what if you wait until you get through that? Go to the doctor, confirm all the things, get out of the danger zone.”