Page 117 of Through the Storm

Ella nods once. “Acceptable.”

We order our food, and I tell them about Grandma Patty absolutely destroying my parents yesterday, and Rebecca nearly chokes on her drink.

“She fired them?” she asks, eyes wide.

Ella grins. “Icon.”

“Absolute icon,” Rebecca agrees.

For a moment, it almost feels like life is normal again. Until Rebecca tilts her head. “So.”

I tense immediately.

Ella points a warning finger at her. “Don’t.”

Rebecca lifts both hands. “Relax. It’s a normal question.” She looks at me. “Have you talked to Ben?”

I stare down at my water. “Not really.”

Ella exhales slowly. “Katy.”

Rebecca leans forward. “He’s really sad,” she says gently. “Like… sad sad.”

My heart sinks.

“He barely talks,” she continues. “And he keeps asking if you’re okay. Every day.”

I swallow hard. “That’s exactly why,” I whisper.

Ella frowns. “Why what?”

“Why I ended it.”

Rebecca blinks. “Because he loves you?”

I shake my head. “Because he deserves better than this.”

Ella tilts her head. “Better than you?”

“Yes,” I say immediately. “Than me right now.” I stare down at the table. “I’m pregnant with who knows whose baby. What if it isn’t his? I can’t trap him like that.”

Rebecca snorts softly. “I’m pretty sure the trapping part requires intent.” She arches a brow. “And you’ve been trying to dump him for weeks, and he’s not having it.”

Ella nods.

Rebecca shrugs. “Also, I’m fairly certain hewantsto be trapped.”

I glare at her. “That’s not funny.”

Rebecca continues, completely unbothered. “Also, you should know the Maybe Daddies have started holding meetings.”

I look up slowly. “Meetings?”

“Intervention planning, apparently,” she says casually. “They’re all very worried about you.”

Ella pinches the bridge of her nose. “Rebecca.”

Rebecca shrugs. “Look, I’m just reporting the facts.” Then she adds gently, “Also, Ben keeps asking if you’re eating enough. It’s so cute, Katy.”