My Five Santas: A Christmas Reverse Harem

Chapter Six: Not What You Think

The good thing about a low point? It can only go up. Right?

Right?

Flynn's just being nice, I tell myself. Rachael's the one who's ga-ga for him.

My stomach clenches, and I cross my arms over my belly, very much wishing that I, too, could just bury my face in Flynn's jacket, and that he would say, "Aw, she's shy," and then I'd be excused from the conversation.

Are they exes?

"Rach brings Zoey in every so often for a cup of hot chocolate," Flynn explains. "She's one of our best patrons."

Rachael's smile takes on a wooden quality. But then it snaps back, picture-perfect. Clearly, she didn't enjoy being called Flynn's "patron." Especially when they're such good friends.

I feel a tiny bit better.

He cocks his head and smiles down at Zoey. "Typically, Zoey teaches me all kinds of things. Like did you know that bananas are actually radioactive?"

"Really?" I frown. "That can't be true," I mutter quietly to myself.

Not quietly enough.

Zoey whips around, red faced and tearful. "It is so true!"

"Awww, Zo-Zo, she just doesn't know. That's why it's important to be smart! You can teach those who don't know as much as you!" Rachael coos, winking at me.

Flynn laughs nervously, squeezing my side, in, what I assume, is an apologetic gesture.

"Well, it was really nice to meet you," I say, feeling the tightness in my stomach returning.

"It was great to finally meet you," Rachael says, her smile stretching wide. "Flynn talks about you all the time. You got a really good one here." She turns to Flynn and her smile softens. "He's gonna make a great dad. Which—oh my God—" She whirls towards me. "Congratulations!"

"I'm sorry?" I squint at her.

"How are you feeling? I guess it depends how far along you are," she waves an arm towards my mid section, "First or second trimester?"

For a moment, the roar of Manhattan falls suddenly silent. I feel hollow. Like the only thing rattling inside my chest is a freezing, winter wind.

It must read on my face because Rach looks mortified.

"You think I'm pregnant?" I ask through a clenched smile.

Flynn turns to kiss the top of my head, squeezing me harder. Not as reassuring as he thinks.

"I am so, so sorry. Flynn just talks about kids a lot, and—and—I mean you do not look pregnant at all. You just—were holding your stomach? And..." Rachael's face is as red as Santa's suit, and it almost makes the searing pain and embarrassment worth it. She claps a hand to her forehead. "Can I just go jump off a bridge now?"

"Me too, Mommy, I wanna come too!" Zoey pulls down hard on Rachael's arm.

"It's fine," I sigh, putting her out of her misery. "I've got a big coat on."

It's pretty easy to get rid of Rachael and Zoey after that.

Flynn high fives Zoey goodbye, and Rachael doesn't raise her eyes from the cement as she mumbles by to both of us.

When they're both out of earshot, Flynn turns to me.

"She's great, isn't she?" he says, beaming.

When he sees my face, he turns pale. "Whoa, whoa, that was a very ill-timed joke. Not great. She is not great." He conks his head with the heel of his hand. "C'mon, Flynn, read the room."