Like a Boss - Annabelle Costa Page 0,74

that’s fine too. It will be simpler that way. I’m not going to sue him for child support, although God knows he could afford it. I can raise a child alone. It’s not like it will put a crimp in my social life, considering I didn’t have one before Luke came along.

I just haven’t figured out how to tell him.

However, Luke, who seems to be somewhat psychic, calls me five minutes after I schedule my first ultrasound and prenatal appointment for Monday. I see his number pop up on my cell phone and I’m seized with an overpowering urge to talk to him. Which is the reason I can’t pick up. If I do, I’ll spill the beans. I know myself.

He leaves a message. His voice is formal but hesitant: “Ellie, when you get this message, can you give me a call back?”

I don’t know what he wants to talk to me about, but I’m not going to call him back—not yet.

However, when Luke, who usually is Mr. Restraint, calls again half an hour later, my curiosity is piqued. He is usually very cool and reserved, not the kind to call multiple times within the hour. Is there any chance he could know about the pregnancy? No, it’s not possible. But I’m going crazy wondering what he wants to talk to me about, so I have no choice but to call.

“Hello?” I say into the phone.

“Ellie!” Luke sounds so pleased to hear my voice that I get a little tearful. These pregnancy emotions are ridiculous.

“Hi,” I say cautiously.

“It’s, um, been a while, huh?” he says. I always liked the sound of his voice. It tugs at me a little.

“Yes,” I say.

“Listen, Ellie.” He clears his throat. “I… I wasn’t going to bother you. I wanted to give you your space and all, but the thing is…”

I hold my breath, waiting for the big confession of his love. Ellie, I love you. I can’t live without you. Well, it’s not good enough. It doesn’t change anything.

“The thing is,” he goes on, “my dad died last night.”

My jaw falls open. Despite how fragile his father looked when I met him, this was the last thing I expected Luke to say. “He… he did?”

“Yeah.” He takes a shaky breath. “And the last thing he ever heard me say was that I hoped he would drop dead.”

I hear his breathing change slightly and I realize he’s crying on the other end of the line. Luke’s crying. I can’t believe this.

“Oh, Luke,” I whisper.

“Ellie,” he manages. “I’m sorry to do this to you, but… I need you.”

I hesitate. Seeing Luke right now would be disastrous. If I see him in emotional pain, that might break my resolve. And if he finds out I’m pregnant, it will give him all that much leverage. And I don’t want to get back together with him. He lied to me and he misrepresented himself—he’s not a person I want to be with. How can I ever trust him again?

“Please,” Luke whispers. I have to admit, my heartstrings have been effectively pulled.

“I’ll be right over,” I say.

I drive to Lexington. I channel Luke as I navigate the treacherous streets of Brookline and practically run over an old woman with a walker, but I get there in thirty minutes, door to door. I’m gasping for breath as I knock.

Luke answers the door looking awful. He apparently still made it to work today, because he’s wearing a shirt and nice pants, but his shirt is wrinkled, his hair is sticking up all over the place, and his eyes are red and puffy. When he sees me, his eyes fill with tears. “Ellie,” he says. “Thanks for coming.”

“Are… you all right?” I ask as I walk in, feeling lame because he obviously isn’t all right.

“I guess,” he says.

“Let me make you some tea.” That’s what Sadie would do in this situation.

“I don’t really like tea.”

“Oh,” I say.

He rubs his eyes. “I just want to talk, if that’s okay. I didn’t want to… to be alone.”

I nod. We go into his gigantic living room and I sit on the couch. He stays in his wheelchair, instead of transferring to sit next to me like he usually does. I guess it’s still awkward between us and he’s respecting my space. Maybe someday we’ll be friends again—that might be okay. Especially if we have a child together.

“I shouldn’t be this upset,” he says. “My father and I… we didn’t get along. Obviously.”

“Yeah, I noticed.”

“It wasn’t always