Amara hung up the phone. Why did she even try? After Gabby had started going out with that guy--apparently his name was Ken--she had been spending all of her time with him. It had only been about a month, but she was acing like he was the only person in the world. 

Amara didn't want to push things, mainly because this wasn't really like Gabby. She was the type to bounce from guy to guy, and never really stayed with the same one for longer than a week. However, she seemed to really like Ken. He was all she could talk about. Sometimes, it seemed like he was all she could even think about.

Blowing air from between her lips, Amara pulled out her laptop and started looking for a house again. She couldn't live in the apartment with two kids, as well as Ethan and Gabby, who would be moving in soon. The only problem was, there weren't a lot of places available, and not a lot of landlords wanted to rent to a pregnant, single mother. 

A knock at the door interrupted her search. Amara got up and moved to answer it. When she opened the door, she really wasn't expecting Ethan to be standing there. He was holding a tub of frozen yogurt in his hands.

"Gabby told me that it was yogurt night, and that she wasn't able to make it," Ethan said. "So we thought maybe I should fill in."

Amara couldn't help but smile. "Well, I'm glad she sent a substitute."

She invited him in and they settled on the couch with two bowls. Amara didn't realize just how quiet she was being until Ethan said so.

"Are you thinking about Gabby?" he asked.

"Yeah," Amara admitted with a sigh. "I'm just missing her, I think."

"Well, you were the one who thought it was a good idea for her to start dating," Ethan said. 

"I know, and I still think that," Amara said, "I just didn't realize she'd be spending ALL of her time with him. I guess I just want my best friend back. Especially now."

"Yeah, I can understand that," Ethan agreed. "Do you want me to talk to her?"

Amara shifted on the couch as she considered that. "I don't know. Maybe not right now. I don't want her to think I'm not supportive."

"Well, as long as she doesn't ditch us for him," Ethan said, spooning more yogurt into his mouth."

Amara giggled. Ethan looked at her questioningly.

"What?"

"You just sound--kind of funny right now. That's all," Amara admitted.

Ethan narrowed his eyes, but Amara caught the twinkle in them. "Funny how?"

Amara shrugged. "You're just--you sound like a jealous girl."

Ethan's eyes widened, almost in shock. Amara couldn't hold back the giggles anymore, and just let them happen.

"I'm glad you're enjoying this," he said. But he was smiling. 

Even as she laughed, Amara stood up and waddled to the door. She needed to leave for a minute.

"Where are you going?" Ethan asked.

"The bathroom," she answered. "I laughed too hard, and now I have to pee."

A few days later, Amara and Gabby sat at their front desk, working as usual. The only difference was that they were quieter than they had been over the last couple of weeks. They seemed more focused on their work today.

"Ow!" Amara clutched her middle, as she tried to continue to type.

"What's wrong?" Gabby asked as she hung up the phone.

"The babies are wrestling. Again," Amara said, sitting back. "One of them just landed against my stomach."

They continued to work, as Joshua entered the office from the elevator. He and Amara locked eyes for a moment, before he turned away and just kept walking.

"I can't believe he's not even interested in being a father," Gabby said, glaring after him.

Amara shook her head. "I don't know if I even care anymore."

"Care about what?" Chantelle asked as she walked past the desk.

Amara groaned inside and Gabby rolled her eyes.

"Don't you have some children to terrorize?" Gabby asked.

"You're the one trying to wreck Mr. Leonard's career," Chantelle snarked at Amara. "And his marriage."

"Where the heck did you get that idea?" Gabby asked, allowing her eyes brows to draw together.

"Is that what they're telling people?" Amara asked. She suddenly felt a nervous twinge.

"Well, it's true," Chantelle said, smugly. "You're pregnant, and blaming it on him. That messes with his reputation, and therefore, his job."

"Oh, please," Amara scoffed. "Like he cares about his reputation."

Gabby nodded in agreement. 

"Not to mention how this affects Nicole Wimbleton. You know, his finacee?" Chantelle smirked.

"Believe me, I'm aware of who she is," Amara muttered.

"These false claims could destroy their wedding, let alone, their marriage," Chantelle continued.  Her voice was starting to sound sickeningly sweet. "I mean, how would you feel if someone was  coming after you with false claims?"

"Okay, first off, you sound like an idiot," Gabby started. "Secondly--"

"Hang on, Gab," Amara said. "How do you even know about this? Are they going around telling people?"

"Well, they made an announcement after your shift last week," Chantelle said. "They told us that you've been trying to spread lies about them. And you were saying that the baby was his."

"And you believed them?" Gabby said. She spurted out a laugh. "That makes you even dumber than you look."

"Gabby!" Amara gasped.

"You're the one trying to convice the world of a lie," Chantelle said.

Before either of the receptionists could respond, Chantelle flounced away. Amara leaned back in her chair and looked at Gabby.

"Don't tell me you're going to chew me out for calling out her crap," Gabby said to her. "She totally deserved it."

"No," Amara said quietly. "Did you know about that announcement they made?"

Gabby shook her head. "No. I pretty much left at the same time you did after every shift last week."

Just then, Ethan walked by. Amara called him over.

"Did you know about that announcement Mr. Leonard made last week?" she asked.

Ethan tilted his head. "What announcement?" 

Amara studied him as he spoke. He pressed his lips together and looked innocent. But Amara knew him, and she had known him long enough to know his tell.

"You knew, didn't you?" Amara asked.

Gabby looked at him, then to Amara, then at Ethan again. She was confused, and a little surprised.

"Mr. Leonard and Nicole told people that they thought you were lying," Ethan admitted. "And that if you tried to turn anyone against them--well, they said they couldn't tell us who to believe, but that we should hear their side of the story before we make any conclusions."

Amara let out a slow breath. There was a lot going through her mind right now.

"You know, Amara, it's not a big deal," Gabby spoke up. "They can think you're lying, but those of us who know you also know the truth.

"No, they know the truth, they just don't acknowledge it." Amara looked up at Ethan. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I--didn't really have the chance," He said slowly.

"You were at my apartment two days ago," Amara argued. "Why wouldn't you say something then?"

Ethan shifted uncomfortably, almost like a child who was in trouble with his parents. "I don't know."

Amara pulled herself up and started walking away. "I need to take a break."

She could feel Gabby and Ethan watching her, but neither followed. Ethan was probably feeling guilty, and Gabby was more than likely going to tell him off about this. Amara just hoped she wouldn't do any permanent damage.