Over half of the closet has been filled with clothes I know damn well aren’t mine but will fit me like a glove.

“I don’t see the problem, Mallory. You don’t want me to push and do things without talking to you. So I didn’t move your things from the third floor up here. I got you new things.”

“Oz.” I drop my head in my hands in exasperation.

“Loophole, baby,” he says, and smacks me on the butt. “Now put something on. They’re setting up in the dining room.”

He walks out of the closet before I can ask him what he means by that. I shake my head, having no time to fight with him. I walk over to the first rack of clothes. I thumb through a few pieces and check for something comfortable. But as I push the hangers, I notice something on all the tags.

Maternity.

My stomach does a flip, and I think about my period, which is supposed to arrive any day now. Oz must really want this if he’s already planning for it. After a moment, I come up with a plan.

I go over to another rack and see they’re normal clothes, so I grab a tank top with a built-in bra and a pair of yoga pants so I don’t have to worry about underwear. Though God knows if he bought me a closet full of clothes, he probably bought those, too.

Walking out of the closet, I stop and listen for Oz. I hear him talking down the hall so grab my purse from the dresser. I pull out the burner phone Paige got me the night we sneaked out and turn it on.

I send her a quick text, hoping she has it turned on, and wait. After a second she texts back, and I’m both relieved and nervous at the same time.

Chapter Thirty-Four

Mallory

* * *

Two hours later, I’m being buffed and polished to within an inch of my life.

Kimmi was here briefly to drop off the secret gown, now hanging next to my new wardrobe. She left already, but gave me a mischievous smile on her way out.

There are two people here to do my nails and toes and a third to do my makeup and hair. I’ve been plucked and scrubbed, and as the gel finishes setting, Paige walks into the dining room. She’s got her purse over her arm, and I stare at it.

“Hey,” she says, looking me up and down, then glances around the room. “Where’s Oz?”

“He wanted to get some work done while I was getting pampered.” I look at the women working on me and smile. “Do you ladies mind if I take a break? It’s almost lunchtime. Maybe we all should.”

Oz had a few platters of food brought in, and Paige is already halfway to finishing a sandwich.

They all agree, and I get up from my chair and walk to the bedroom with Paige following me. When we get there, I drag her into the master bathroom and lock the door behind us.

“Don’t you think this is a bit suspicious?” she says in a hushed voice.

“Just give it to me.” I hold out my hand and wait.

Paige unzips her purse and pulls out the pregnancy test, slapping it into my hand.

“You wouldn’t believe what I had to go through to get that, Mal. I think Captain popped a blood vessel when he saw what I was buying.” She gives me a smile that looks a little evil, and I would laugh if I wasn’t so scared.

“I threw away all the packaging so you wouldn’t get busted with the trash lying around. But I read it all. One line, not pregnant. Two lines, you’re knocked up. It seems pretty easy to use.”

I nod and look at the stick, walk over to the toilet, and sit down. I hold the stick and try not to pee on my hand as I do what Paige tells me to. After I’m finished, I set it on the counter, and then get up, washing my hands.

“You okay?” Paige asks, and looks at me nervously.

“Yeah. I’m scared, but I don’t know why. I love Oz, and he loves me. Having a baby with him would be wonderful, but I’m antsy about it. I’m probably pregnant with all the sex we have and all the protection we don’t use.”

Paige laughs and nudges my shoulder. “Do you feel pregnant? Have you been sick?”

“No, not at all. But I’ve never been pregnant before, so what do I know?”

“This is a big deal, Mal. But I know you, and you wouldn’t have done any of this if you weren’t sure. Maybe even if it’s in the back of your mind, I think you knew from day one with Miles that he was it.”

I nod and a warmth spreads over me. She’s right. I knew deep down he’s it for me. And if our love made a child, then I’ll be the happiest woman in the world.

Paige checks her watch, and then nods at me. I walk over to the test and pick it up, my fingers nearly shaking. When I look at it, my heart falls when I see there’s only one line on it.

“Negative.” Paige confirms what I see.

“Mallory? Paige?” Oz says, knocking on the bathroom door.

Panicked, I open the bottom cabinet and hide the test under a roll of toilet paper. I stand up and look at Paige, who has her arms out like she doesn’t know what to do.

“Be right out, Oz,” I say, and try not to sound like I’m up to something. “Paige, um, Paige had to help me go to the bathroom so I wouldn’t mess my nails up,” I rush, trying to cover my fumble.

Paige gives me two thumbs-up, and I put my hands to my mouth so I don’t panic.

“Okay,” Oz says, but doesn’t sound convinced. “I’ll be in the dining room when you guys are finished.”

We wait another minute or two before we take a breath and exit the bathroom.

“Damn, that was close,” Paige says, and for some reason her words sting.