I allowed the city air to soothe my nerves before joining her inside. When I returned, Ms. Barnes was already putting back on her coat and heading for the door.

“You leaving?”

“I have to get back to the studio with Kellon. Make yourself at⁠—”

“Uh, excuse me,” I interrupted.

A wave of nausea hit me, and I knew immediately I needed to find the nearest bathroom. I racked my brain trying to remember the closest restroom and made a beeline to it. I barely made it to the toilet before vomit spilled from my mouth. This was it. My first pregnancy symptom had reared its ugly head in front of Kellon’s mom.

“Phileigh, are you okay?” Ms. Barnes rushed inside the bathroom with concern etched on her face.

“I’m sorry. I just…” My words trailed off as more vomit spilled from my mouth. “I don’t know what happened.”

My voice trembled as I ran my hand across my mouth, trying to clean myself up.

“Here.” Ms. Barnes handed me a towel.

“Thank you.” I quickly stepped back from the toilet and began cleaning myself up. I was lucky that none of its contents had gotten on me. “Must be something I ate at lunch.”

Ms. Barnes stood there staring at me. Her eyes were full of suspicion. “Morning sickness is the worst.”

My head swiveled in her direction. What did she just say?

“Phileigh, I wasn’t born yesterday. I know you and Kellon didn’t just meet. I know you’re more than his barber.”

My heart raced. “What do you mean?”

“I’ve been pregnant enough to know the signs,” she replied gently. Her gaze was piercing yet kind. “I know you’re pregnant with my son’s baby.”

My breath caught in my throat. “I... I...”

I didn’t know what to say. She knew I was pregnant, and worse, she thought I was pregnant by Kellon.

“I knew something was up when you popped up after the win. Kellon doesn’t invite women to his home. The fact that you two are trying to keep this a secret from me is disappointing.”

I stared at her. My entire body heated up. What was I supposed to say? I am pregnant but not by your son, even though he still wants to get to know me. It sounded crazy in my head, so I knew it sounded crazy out loud.

“It’s… um… I haven’t announced it yet.” I stumbled over my words, choosing them carefully.

“Wait. He doesn’t know?”

“He… um... he… no,” I lied.

Ms. Barnes walked closer to me. Her arms wrapped around my body, soothing my trembling.

“You’re scared.” She tightened her grip on me.

“My son may be a handful sometimes, but he has a good heart. He’ll be there for you. You don’t have to hide it. Just be honest with him.”

“Okay.”