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“You said no? Why?” Lily demanded of Lexi when they were finally in the ladies’ room and Lexi told her everything from the fight in Olkfield, to the pregnancy and then Tyler's proposal, “Lexi? Why won’t you marry Tyler?” Lily demanded impatiently.

Lexi forced herself to focus, wishing she was anywhere but there. “Because I don’t think it’s the answer.” She pinched the crease of her forearm in an effort to stop the itching. “And it was an accident,” she murmured, avoiding Lily's ever-watchful eyes. “I've learnt from my engagement to Victor, and also, two wrongs won’t make the situation better.”

“But it will,” Lily argued. “You know it will.”

Lexi shoved her hair off her face. “I need to find a way to tell my dad about the pregnancy.”

“Your dad will get over it. Victor did. He can't be mad at you forever. Come on,” Lily ordered, grabbing Lexi's hand and tugging.

Lexi reluctantly let Lily pull her toward a side exit and out into the late-afternoon sunshine, but only because doing so got her away from everyone and she didn't want to risk anyone coming in or overhearing them. Amazingly, Lily remained quiet until they reached the pool house. It was empty, but the moment the door closed, Lily planted her hands on her hips and glared.

“Seriously? You're pregnant?”

“I know. I screwed up.” Lexi moved to the sink and turned on the tap, cupping her hand and pooling the water to rinse her mouth.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Lily demanded. “You’re really pregnant?”

Lexi nodded, eyes closed.

“It happened when you were in Olkfield. That's why you've been sick. How long have you known? Why didn't you tell me, Lexi? I'm your best friend. And why won’t you marry Tyler?”

Lexi met Lily's gaze in the mirror and noted her friend looked hurt and angry and on the verge of tears. 

“I didn’t tell you because I wasn't sure until recently and it shouldn’t have happened.” She turned off the faucet and grabbed some paper towels. 

“And yet you took the risk of getting pregnant? Look, I'm glad you and my brother didn't get married because it would have been a disaster in the end but come on, you could have been more careful,”

Her friend was right. Not that she had a lot of experience, but she’d always protected herself the few times sex had been an issue, but with Tyler, she realized she'd completely stopped thinking when she was with him.

Avoiding eye contact, Lexi said, “I told you. I screwed up,” 

Lily stepped in front of her. “You know what, I honestly feel like you picked Tyler for a reason when you decided to go away.”

Picked him? Lexi frowned. 

“You could have come to me, but you didn't. If it was just about wanting to get good sex, there were a lot of other guys you could have gone to, but you chose Tyler. And you took a risk you’ve never taken before. There has to be a reason for that.”

What did Lily want her to say? Her reaction wasn’t what Lexi was expecting at all. “I didn't plan to get pregnant.” She ran her hands through her hair and shoved it off her face.

“Probably, but the fact is you chose Tyler when any guy could’ve given you sex. But you didn’t want that, did you?”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

Lily's eyes narrowed shrewdly. “Yes, you do. Oh, Lexi, you could’ve picked anyone, but you didn’t. And you can’t stand there and tell me there wasn’t more to your decision. Do you think maybe you wondered if you were to have a fling before your wedding, of all the men to choose, Tyler would be—”

“What? No.” She shook her head firmly back and forth. “Look, I know it seems like that but I didn’t plan it at all when I left. I didn't plan to go have sex with him. I was confused and I thought —”

“I doubt you did. But subconsciously maybe you hoped something would happen because you chose him.” Tears flooded Lily's eyes. “How can you deny Tyler his child? How can you be that cruel?”

Lily's accusations hit like physical blows. “Does it have to mean marriage?”

“Why not marry him? We’re talking about Tyler. He's our friend. Tyler, who has always had a thing for you. Don’t stand there and pretend you weren’t aware of it. I always knew it even though you were so clueless. You’ve always liked him, too. Make this easy on both of you and marry him. You belong together, and if you don't listen to me, I’m going to have to smack you around.”

A rough laugh left her chest and they both smiled, the tears, the tension, a little lighter due to Lily's joking threat.

“Lily, I love him. Okay? And I care for him, but I'm worried about the marriage thing, especially happening so fast and just because of the baby.”

“Friendship is a good requirement for marriage too, and you've been friends for so long. And you said yourself you turned to him when you needed someone and he was there for you. Wow, what a horrible trait in a husband.”

“You’re making this personal.”

“It is personal! He's my friend too. You made a baby with him and now you’re blowing him off?”

It sounded so awful but it was true. All true. The tension inside her grew, winding tighter and tighter. “It’s not like that.”

Lexi muttered under her breath and brushed her knuckles over her lashes.

“Tyler is a good guy,”

“I know that. It has nothing to do with him not being a wonderful man. He’s…he’s great.”

“Then marry him, for pity’s sake.”

And then what? Divorce him five years later when it doesn't work out and they realised their mistake? 

Lily stepped close and put her hands on Lexi's shoulders, shook her gently. “Lexi, it's a baby. I'm so happy for you. Aren't you?”

Lexi closed her eyes when her stomach protested. She groaned. “Lily, what am I going to do? I’ve never even babysat.”

Her friend laughed, the sound teary. “I know. And I know you’re scared. I would be, too. But you don’t have to do this alone.”

“That’s what Tyler said.”