"So," I say cautiously. "Just to clarify-you are pregnant?"

She bows her head. "Yes."

I can't believe it! Narrowing my eyes, I study her intently. She looks the same-thinner, maybe. And tired.

Lauren is pregnant. How can this be?!

"So...how many weeks?" I ask tentatively.

"Nine," she says bleakly.

"What? How? Who is the father? I'm going to kick his a.s.s!"

She brushes her hair away from her face. "I've been sort of seeing someone. I never told you because...I don't know. It's complicated. And no, I'm not going to tell you who he is yet. Not until I tell him about the baby. And don't try to guess who he is!"

A million questions are on the tip of my tongue, but I swallow them down. "Do you-what are you going to do, do you know?"

Lauren's shoulders slump forward. "I don't know. I don't want to take care of another baby. I mean, I'm practically raising Brianna. I...just don't know."

I take a deep breath, carefully considering my words. "Well, you know there are options if you don't want to keep it. And whatever you decide, I'll be there to help you. With anything you need. Hey, if you decide to keep the baby, I could be Aunt Violet!"

Even though this is impractical, I could see us raising a baby together. I would be the cool fun one. We could be on a reality show! I love babies!

Lauren just gives me that look. "I don't know what I'm going to do yet. I guess I'll talk to the father first. And I still have to tell my mother."

"Okay, well, have you been to a doctor yet?"

She starts to look sick again. "No. I'm not on Mom's plan anymore."

Oh, yeah. I pat her arm. "Well, we can look online for some resources. I'm sure there are a lot out there for pregnant girls. I'll look tonight when I get home."

"Thanks." She nods weakly. "Um...can we talk about this later? I think I need to go home and get some rest. Tell your mom I said congratulations, okay?"

"Sure. Do you want me to drive you?" I ask.

"No, that's okay, I'm going to call my Mom. Thanks, though."

After a quick look in the mirror to rea.s.sure herself she's presentable, Lauren heads for the door. She opens it, then hesitates and turns back to me. "Go talk to Zane," she says.

Then she's gone, and I'm left staring at the door.

I am...I don't know. Shocked. Hurt. Terrified for Lauren. I just can't believe she's pregnant. If there was anyone more virginal than me, I thought it was her. And all this time, behind my back, she's been doing it!

I guess I should be mad she's kept a whole relationship from me, but it's just so bizarre. Lauren is such a private person. She doesn't like talking about herself, and- Oh, wait! I bet I know who the father is!

Damon Fox, the football player. She's been tutoring him since the start of school, and they seem to get along pretty well. And the relationship is complicated because Damon has a girlfriend. Shanna something. She's in our Spanish cla.s.s, though I've never really talked to her. And Lauren's never liked her! She said once that she thought Shanna had the most chilling laugh she's ever heard.

It's Damon, I know it is. He'd better be there for her, or I will beat the c.r.a.p out of him.

But then what? They get married and raise the baby together? I highly doubt that. He'd better at least support whatever decision she makes.- G.o.d. Lauren is pregnant. She's going to have a baby.

What would happen if Zane got me pregnant? I have no doubt he'd support me no matter what. But what would I do? A part of me (and I feel horrible for admitting this) would be thrilled to have his baby. A big part of me, if I'm being honest.

That is, until reality sets in and I find myself an unwed teen with a baby and more responsibility than I'm ready for.

Feeling disturbed-and worried for Lauren-I finally leave the restroom. I want to talk to Zane. I won't tell him about Lauren-I just need to see him.

I am extremely annoyed to find him still in the clutches of Taylor. I've never liked her. She used to ignore me when I was fat, then was completely mean to me when I lost the weight.

I hate how perfect they look, standing together. Taylor, with her long honey blonde hair, big blue eyes, and model like figure totally complements Zane's dark beauty and powerful physique. If I stood next to them right now, some photographer guy would yell for someone to get the dumpy girl out of the magazine shoot.

Okay, but this isn't the first time I've had to shove a pretty girl away from Zane's side. I have no problem yanking Taylor away by her beautiful blonde hair.

Dare I say I would enjoy it?

Oh, yeah, I dare.

Zane watches me approach, and I love the way that half smile of his lights up his entire face.

"Hi, Zane," I say, coming up to them. "Got a minute?"

"Actually, we were in the middle of something," Taylor snaps, glaring at me. She puts a possessive hand on Zane's arm.

Oh, it's about to get ugly.

"Yes, I saw." I put on my concerned face, and then lower my voice confidentially. "I'm going to spare you the humiliation-he was about to turn you down."

I grab Zane's hand and start leading him away.

"Violet!" Taylor gapes at us in disbelief.

Zane shrugs at her. "She's right."

Ha!

I lead Zane out to the garden, and to a more secluded area near a little fish pond. It's softly romantic out here, with the little fairy lights twinkling in the creeping dark, and the exotic scent of flowers perfuming the gentle breeze.

Away from the crowds, I lean against him and inhale his fresh clean scent. Once connected, I feel like everything's gonna be okay.

Zane's arms immediately go around me. "What happened to keeping our heads down?" he asks, sounding amused.

"I know," I say, my voice coming out m.u.f.fled against his chest. "I just...missed you."

"I missed you, too." I feel him kiss the top of my head. "Hey, what's wrong?"

"Nothing. Just a problem Lauren is having."

"Anything I can do to help?

I peer up at him. "I may need you to bail me out of jail for beating someone up."

"Who are you going to beat up, and why?"

"It's for Lauren, and it's-well, it's not for me to say."

"Don't beat anyone up," Zane says. "Call me first. I'll take care of it for you."

"Oh, what, you don't think I could handle it?" I feel a little indignant. I draw myself up to my full height of five feet, four inches (five-seven in heels) and poke him in the chest. "I've been around, man. I've done things."

"Oh, no, I can tell you're a real hard a.s.s." Zane grins and runs his hands down my back.

"I could kick your b.u.t.t," I say, moving closer to him.

"Oh, no doubt."

Somehow, we end up kissing. I forget where I am-it's been too long since we've touched like this. I press myself against him, and he trails kisses down my neck.

Ohh, I want to...

"Violet!"

Aaaaaaauughh!! Grandma!

Chapter 24.

I jump away from Zane. He moves in front of me so I can fix the top of my dress. When I'm resituated, I peek out from behind Zane's broad shoulder.

Grandma is standing there, arms crossed as she glares at us severely. Talk about hard a.s.ses-Kathy Harrington is the real deal.

"Hi, Grandma," I wave weakly. "We were just..."

"Hm, I think I know what you were 'just' about to do. And in public, too!"

Oh, this is so not good! I might catch fire, I'm burning with embarra.s.sment. I can't even look at Zane. He's probably covered in my lipstick.

"May I have a word with my granddaughter in private?" she addresses Zane coldly.

"Of course," Zane replies respectfully. Then he leans down to speak in my ear. "Do you want me to stay?"

I shake my head regretfully. "You'd better go. I'll see you inside."

He hesitates, and I realize why when I look down and see I'm clutching his shirt with both hands. Hastily, I let go.

Zane gives me a rea.s.suring smile and kisses my cheek before he nods once at Grandma. "Ma'am."

Once he's gone, I turn to her. "Okay, I know what you're going to say, but first let me remind you that I'm seventeen-almost eighteen. And I know that-"

Grandma stops my rush of words with a wave of her hand. "Violet, I'm not so out of touch to think that you aren't having s.e.x by now. And I'd like to think that you are smart enough and responsible enough to be safe." She pauses and sighs. "But with that one... Violet, does your mother know?"

"No! I just...it just sort of happened with Zane." I shrug and pleat my fingers together nervously. "I was going to tell her after the wedding. I didn't... I don't know. Please don't tell her-I promise I'll do it myself."

Grandma raises one perfectly groomed eyebrow. "I'm surprised she doesn't already suspect. Anyone can see the sparks flying between you two every time you're together."

I bite my lip, both pleased and embarra.s.sed. "She's been really distracted with the wedding and stuff."

"I suppose so!" She allows a smile to crack her disapproving expression. "He's absolutely gorgeous. I can see the temptation."

"Grandma!" I laugh and hook my arm through hers. "I am still a virgin, though."

"Hm, but from the looks of it, you won't be for much longer." She pats my cheek hard. "Take steps to protect yourself. I am far too young to be a great grandmother."

We start strolling back towards the ball room. "I'm not the one you should be worried about," I snicker.

"Taylor?" Grandma nods knowingly. "She'll be lucky to know who the father is, that one. She's a bit of a tramp, isn't she?"

I beam at her. "I love you, Grandma."

"I know, dear." She smiles and squeezes my arm. "That doesn't mean I won't kick your a.s.s if I catch you carrying on like that in public again. Is that clear?"

"Crystal."

I think if I were to keep track of all my humiliations, I would probably have to kill myself.

I find Zane talking with a couple of guys that I a.s.sume are Bill's co-workers. When he sees me, he raises both eyebrows. I shrug and smile sheepishly in response. He excuses himself and walks over to me.

"Everything okay?" he asks, rubbing my arm.

"I think so. I don't know if I'll ever be able to look her in the eye again, but she was pretty cool about it."

"Yeah?" He chuckles. "From the look on her face, I thought I was gonna have to climb an ivory tower to rescue you."

"Mm," I say, squinting up at him. "Would you really do that for me?"

"I could probably be talked into it."

"Well if I ever-"

"Violet!"

Something rams into the back of my legs, propelling me forward into Zane, who catches me against his chest.