CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

GWEN POV

“It’s your father.”

I didn’t say those words out loud, but the thought was loud enough in my head. My dad was looking at April, and I could tell he liked her. He smiled, then turned back to me, his eyes on the shopping bag in my hand.

“Is that dinner? Thank goodness, I’m starving,” he said, rubbing his stomach.

“Yes, it is,” I replied simply.

He got up from his chair. “April, will you stay and eat with us?”

I quickly shook my head, hoping April wouldn’t agree. “No, Dad, you won’t want it. It’s just stuff I grabbed from the hot bar at the grocery store. It’s nothing special.”

April’s eyes lit up. “Oh, I love hot bar food! It’s the best kind of quick dinner.” She stood up right away and picked up the bag from the counter.

I stood too, and she linked her arm through mine. We walked together toward the dining room.

My dad went to the kitchen and came back with plates, forks, and napkins. I just sat there, eating my small salad, watching my dad and April start a very quick and surprising friendship. They were laughing already.

As I ate, a worry started to grow in my mind. Now that April knew I was pregnant, she would definitely tell her father, Nolan. Could I ask her not to tell him? What good reason could I give her to keep such a big secret, especially from her own dad?

“So, how many weeks along are you right now, anyway?” April asked. She used her fork to gently poke the potato salad on her plate, not really looking at me.

“Oh, only about six weeks,” I said, trying to sound calm.

I quickly looked over at my dad. He was chewing on a rib, completely focused on his food. He didn’t seem to have heard me, or maybe he just wasn't paying attention. I knew the truth was that I was actually closer to eight or ten weeks pregnant. But if April told Nolan I was only six weeks along, that would make him think the baby was born after the big holidays, like Christmas and New Year's. I needed that.

April’s whole face lit up. “Wow, that is so, so exciting!” She gave me a small, slightly embarrassed smile. “I mean, I know it wasn't planned, and it must feel really scary right now. But you are growing a human life! A tiny person. And honestly, Gwen, I know you well enough to know that you will make this work.”

She leaned in a little. “Look at you! You’re still taking college classes, and you’re working a job. I have zero doubt that you are going to get a great teaching job someday. That will be perfect for raising a baby, right? You get all the school holidays and the whole summer off!”

I felt a small wave of hope from her words, but I had to be realistic. “Well, I haven't been hired anywhere yet. And because of when the baby is due, it will be really hard to start a new teaching job at the very beginning of the school year.” I sighed. “I have looked into some teaching jobs that are online, though. Maybe I could do that for a while, just until the baby is a little older.”

“The Internet is truly amazing, isn’t it?” April beamed at me.

It was so strange to see how genuinely happy and excited she was for me. I wanted to just enjoy that feeling, but I couldn't stop thinking about Nolan and what he would do when he found out the truth.

“What about you, April?” my dad asked, interrupting my thoughts. He grabbed a napkin and wiped some barbecue sauce from his chin. “What are your plans once you finish school?”

“I really want to start my own business,” April said with enthusiasm. “But for right now, I have a job lined up because my father is worried about me having no plan.”

“Worried about you? Why?” I asked, feeling a little protective of April. She could be a little too free-spirited and not plan things, but she was smart and capable. I thought she could start her own business easily.

“Oh, you know, the usual stuff,” she waved her hand dismissively. “He just likes me to have a solid job. So, I took a job as a collections assistant at the Gardner Museum.”

“Wow, April. That’s really great news. Good for you!” I said.

She raised an eyebrow at me, pretending to be offended. “Why do you sound so surprised, Gwen?”

I laughed. “I’m not surprised you got the job. I’m just surprised you applied for a job like that! It sounds like a great opportunity, though.” And I truly meant it.

“I still plan to start my own business eventually, but I figured getting experience in a real job first would help me. I was actually hoping that you and I could go into business together since you know so much history. But I understand you need a job with health insurance and a regular paycheck right now.” She gave me a playful, serious look. “But don’t give up on the idea! Be ready, because in a couple of years, I’m going to try to convince you to quit your job and join me!”

I had to admit that the idea of owning a business with April sounded fun and exciting. But she was right—I needed to keep my feet on the ground. A stable job with benefits was the only choice for me right now.

For the rest of the meal, the conversation was mostly between April and my father. I sat and watched as the two of them talked about football, basketball, and other sports. I hadn’t known how much April knew about sports, and I figured she must have learned it from her boyfriend, Cole.

When it was time for her to leave, she gave me another big hug. I hugged her back tightly. I was truly happy to have my friend back in my life. It did make things much more complicated with her father, and I hated that I was lying to her, even a little bit. But I felt like I had to.

Now, all I could do was hope that Nolan wouldn’t guess the truth—or wouldn’t care—if or when April told him I was pregnant.