confusion. “No, I haven’t talked to Leo.”
She sighed, seemingly relieved. “Oh…good. I asked him to let me break the news to you.”
“News?” I asked. “What news?”
“Well, first of all, I guess I should say that I can’t be your third wheel anymore.”
Okay, now I was really confused. “Erica, what the hell are you talking about? How can that possibly explain where you’ve been?”
She smiled. “Well, I can’t be your third wheel anymore because of my news. It’s pretty big.”
“How big?” I asked.
“ Ginormous,” she replied.
“Well , spill then!” I said impatiently.
She held up her left hand, revealing a giant , sparkly ring on her fourth finger. “Because I’m a married woman now! Also known as Mrs. Crawford!”
My mouth hung open. “Huh?”
She grabbed my hand and held it gently. “Look, K, I know that this is sudden, but Jake is the one. I can’t imagine being with anyone else. And for me, that’s saying a lot! You know that. He’s the most fantastic guy I’ve ever met. I’ve never known anyone who makes me feel so incredible. And I’m not just talking about the sex. Which for the record is, like, the best ever!” She paused for a moment. “Look, honey, I’m going to be gone for a few days. We’re heading to San Diego to tell my family. Jake has convinced me to perform the binding spell of thirteen with my sisters so our babies will be more powerful.”
“Babies?” I shrieked.
“I know, right? ” she said. “I’m the last person you’d think would get married, let alone have babies. But I know it’s right. I’ve never felt more certain about anything in my life. You need to figure your shit out, Karli, because this love thing is incredible. I want you to feel the same happiness that I do. I’ve never felt more whole than I do right now.”
I sank down into the couch even further. “ Babies? ” I repeated.
She put her arm around me and pulled me into her. “I know it’s a hard pill to swallow, K, but Jake makes me feel things that I’ve never felt before. We’re both from big families and he wants to carry on the tradition. Honestly, I’ve never thought about being a mom before, but I want his babies. I want to have children because they would be our children. I figured there’s no time like the present, right? We’ve already stopped using protection. Weeks ago, actually. That’s why it’s imperative that I do the spell with my sisters as soon as possible. We’re leaving right away.” She looked towards my front door. “He’s out in the car waiting. I really should be going.”
I raked my hands through my hair. “Oh, my God.” I tried to keep them back, but tears started forming in my eyes.
She tilted my chin up. “Honey, why are you crying? Are you upset with me?”
I wiped my tears away. “No. God no, Eri. I’m so happy for you,” I assured her. “You just caught me off guard, that’s all. It makes me realize even more that I need to figure this thing out with Vance and Leo fast. I can’t keep stringing them along. I know it’s not fair to either one of them, I just have no idea how to choose.”
She hugged me. “I know it’s hard , sweetie, but you’ll figure it out when the time is right.” She stood and started walking towards the door. “I really have to go. I’ll call you as soon as I get back, okay?”
I nodded. “Sure.”
And out the door she went, off to start her married life.
Four
I stayed home all day on Wednesday contemplating my dilemma. If Erica of all people could make a commitment as big as marriage, I should at least be able to choose whom to date. Okay, let’s face it. Dating was a very mild word for it. I could never “date” either one of them. But it’s not like they were asking me for a lifelong commitment. Well, technically they’d both told me that they’d happily spend eternity with me, but they’d never actually asked me to commit to it. Not yet anyway. So, what was I so afraid