Once again, I was asking myself how this could happen as I sat in my kitchen one week later, waiting for the girls to arrive for our weekly girls’ night. We’d taken up comforting each other once a week, rotating houses, like we used to back in our cheerleading days. Only, last week we had missed our meeting because of my grandmother’s funeral.

I was sure they were still wondering about the results of our bet on the existence or non-existence of a certain legend tattooed clover, but they had been classy enough not to ask. It had been two weeks since my birthday, and my life was a mess. A complete and utter mess.

I repeat…I hated change, but my life was about to change in a very big way.

The doorbell rang, so I answered. “Hey, girls, come on in.”

I stood back and held the door open as Zoe, Harmony, and Morticia entered. I ushered them into my kitchen and had them sit around my ceramic and glass kitchen table, then I poured them each a drink. A diet cola for Morti, a glass of Chardonnay for Zoe, and a beer for Harm. Normally I opted for a glass of champagne or a martini, but tonight I opened a bottle of sparkling water.

“What was up with your ex showing up?” Morti studied me, looking concerned. “Tell me it’s not what I think it is…again.”

“He’s no fool.” The man gave me indigestion. “Now that I have Grammy’s inheritance, he’s threatening to sue me for more alimony.”

“You’re shitting me.” Harm scowled. “I seriously hate that man.”

“He’s always been lazy. Even when we were married, he claimed he couldn’t work because of a bad back. He was faking it then just like he’s faking it now. He can work and support himself just fine. Same with my so-called family only showing up because Grammy cut them out of her will. I’m sure they were heartbroken that she didn’t leave them anything.”

“I don’t know. We were there, hon.” Zoe gave me a sympathetic look, always the voice of reason. “They sounded really sincere.”

“Yeah, I hate to admit it, Tiff, but I agree.” Morti shot me an ‘I’m sorry’ wince.

“What the hell does that mean?” I couldn’t believe they were taking anyone’s side but mine.

“I can read you like a book, babe. We’re not taking anyone’s side. All we’re saying is that it might mean there’s more to the story than Grammy told you.” Harm never held anything back. It was one of the things I liked best about her…not so much at this moment. “I know you might not want to hear this, but they are your only family left. Take it from someone like me. I have a huge family who drive me nuts, but in the end, they are still my family.”

“Well, mine has never been there for me.” I put some dishes in the dishwasher. “Why should I let them be now?”

“We’re not saying you have to accept them. Just be open to listening to what they have to say. What can it hurt?” Zoe jumped up and started helping me.

I just looked at her. “You really have to ask that?”

“None of us want you to get hurt again, Tiff. It’s just, you need a support system in your life right now. You’re going through so much. I mean, what more can you take, right?” Morti opened another diet cola.

And with that, I burst into tears. “You have no idea.”

“Oh, no.” Zoe wrapped her arm around my shoulders. “It’s not like you to get emotional, Tiff. What’s really going on?”

“W-We didn’t have a meeting last week, so I couldn’t tell you all about that stupid bet.” I sniffed, dabbing my eyes.

“Wait…you mean you seriously went through with it?” Harm gaped at me. “I didn’t think you were serious.”

“It was the night of my birthday.” I shrugged. “Call it a moment of weakness. I was feeling insecure.”

“You?” Morti’s eyebrows shot up.

“I know forty is not old, but I really felt it that night.” I smiled fondly. “Matt was there, and he made me feel special. One thing led to another, and well, let’s just say there were fireworks after hours.”

“Oh, wow, then that means you saw the tattoo.” Morti’s voice was laced with pure awe and a hint of curiosity.

“I saw something, but I’m not sure what. And that is not why I slept with him at all, but then I made the mistake of revealing that I saw something.” I couldn’t get the look on his face out of my head. “He was angry and hurt, claiming all I cared about was verifying a stupid legend. I have a feeling many women know about the legend and want to see it for themselves. We both said things we didn’t mean, and I left. End of story.”

“Not end of story.” Harm shook her head hard. “You can’t drop that bomb and then not give details.”

“And that would make me no better than the other women.” I felt terrible for how I must have made Matt feel.

“We’re your best friends, not just random people you’re telling,” Morti said.

“Like I said, I didn’t get a good look,” I lied.

“Well, there’s always next time.” Harm wagged her brows.

“Trust me, there won’t be a next time.” I doubted he would even speak to me again.

“Poor man. He’s not a circus animal. If he did get a tattoo there, I bet he’s regretting it now.” Zoe tsked. “He looks like a god, and with a rumored legend like that, he must attract all sorts of people. No wonder he’s single still. How can he ever trust if a woman truly likes him for who he is and not what he looks like or what tricks he can do.”

“He kind of said as much,” I admitted. “We’re not on the same page. He wants a wife and children. He wants it all, but I don’t. I’ve been down that path, and it wasn’t pretty. I’m not going there again. Besides, his family are traditional Catholics who don’t believe in divorce, so it’s a lose-lose situation. That’s why we decided in so many words not to give us a shot.”

“Then why the tears?” Harmony glanced at my still wet cheeks and handed me the tissue box.

“Because apparently, it doesn’t matter what I want.” I started crying all over again and blew my nose.

“What do you mean?” Morti forehead wrinkled. “I’m worried about you, Tiff. You’re always so put together. I’ve never seen you like this.”

“Trust me, I’m not put together at all, doll.” I half-sobbed, half-hiccupped, taking a sip of water before finally blurting, “I’m late!”

“Oh, hon. No worries there. We’ll help you get caught up and back on track with whatever you need.” Zoe patted my hand.

“You know how organized I am.” I dried my tears to no avail, they just kept coming.” I’m not late in that way.”

“I don’t get it.” Harm scratched her head.

“How am I going to raise it if I can’t even say it.” I cried harder.

“Oh, my goodness, you’re pregnant.” Zoe slapped a hand over her mouth.

I nodded. “I’m on the pill, but I was sick recently, and Matt and I didn’t use protection. It was a spontaneous moment of weakness meant to cheer me up on my birthday, nothing more. Or so I thought. My cycle is like clockwork, so I knew something was up when I was late. I took five tests earlier today, and they’re all positive. And Matt McGinnis is the father.”

They all just stared at me in stunned silence.

“Congratulations?” Harmony said with a questioning tone.

I just shook my head and blew my nose again.

“We’re here for you no matter what you decide.” Morticia squeezed my hand. “What do you want to do?”

“I don’t know.” I dried my eyes after the tears finally slowed.

“Are you going to tell Matt?” Morti studied me.