Kate tried to concentrate on her breathing, but it didn’t help. The pain was rising again, cresting. She clung to the bedrails with sweaty hands. “Get . . . me . . . ice . . . chips!” She screamed the last word. It would have been funny, watching Johnny bolt for the door, if she hadn’t felt like that girl swimming alone in Jaws.

The door to her private room banged open. “I hear someone is being a total bitch-o-rama in here.”

Kate tried to smile, but another contraction was starting. “I don’t . . . want . . . to . . . do this anymore.”

“Changed your mind? Good timing.” Tully moved to the side of the bed.

The pain hit again.

“Scream,” Tully said, stroking her forehead.

“I’m . . . supposed to . . . breathe through it.”

“Fuck that. Scream.”

She did scream then, and it felt good. When the pain subsided again, she laughed weakly. “I take it you’re against Lamaze.”

“I wouldn’t call myself a natural childbirth kind of gal.” She looked at Kate’s swollen belly and pale, sweaty face. “Of course, this is the best birth control commercial I’ve ever seen. From now on I’m using three condoms every time.” Tully smiled, but her eyes were worried. “Are you okay, really? Should I get the doctor?”

Kate shook her head weakly. “Just talk to me. Distract me.”

“I met a guy last month.”

“What’s his name?”

“That would be your first question. Grant. And before you barrel through some idiotic Cosmo girl list of how-well-do-you-know-your-man questions, let me say that I don’t know squat about him except that he kisses like a god and screws like a devil.”

Another contraction hit. Kate arched up and screamed again. As if from a distance she could hear Tully’s voice, feel her stroking her forehead, but the pain was so overwhelming she couldn’t do anything except gasp. “Shit,” she said when it was over. “The next time Johnny comes near me I’m going to smack him.”

“You were the one who wanted a baby.”

“I’m getting a new best friend. I need someone with a shorter memory.”

“I have a short memory. Did I tell you I’m seeing someone? He’s perfect for me.”

“Why?” Kate said, panting.

“He lives in London. We only see each other on the weekends. For totally rocking sex, I might add.”

“Is that why you didn’t answer when Mom called?”

“We were in the middle of it, but as soon as we finished, I started packing.”