the nursery, plus some offensive onesies.
I was going to the office to work.
I had to.
I had to make sure Cole closed this deal with Mr. Pickle.
Because I was starting to really enjoy being spoiled.
I organized a stack of folders on Cole’s desk as he walked into the office.
“There’s a sight,” he said.
I looked back. “Oh, right. I’m only pretty from behind.”
“Don’t say that, love.”
He winked.
I felt heat rush to my cheeks.
I turned and touched my stomach. “The baby is very active today, Cole.”
He looked around and moved toward me.
His right hand covered my stomach and I felt safe and protected.
The baby kicked his hand and he smiled.
“What a cool feeling,” he said.
“Yeah, it is. Do you want to know if it’s a boy or girl?”
“Why? Did you look?”
“No. I didn’t look.”
“Do you want to know?”
I shrugged my shoulders. “I don’t know.”
“Let’s just wait and see then,” he said. “No rush.”
He kissed my forehead.
Then he moved around his desk and flipped open one of the folders.
“Is this everything?”
“It’s all there,” I said. “I can’t believe this is going this deep.”
“I can,” Cole said. “This is what he loves the most. The fight. The push and pull. Once the deal is done, he gets bored. Once you’re worth what he is, money is just… blah.”
“Can’t you just take less?” I asked.
“Fuck that, Maya,” Cole said. “I am not going to bend over the kitchen sink for him.”
“But you’d bend me over the kitchen sink, right?”
Cole pointed at me. “Is that any way to talk to your boss? That’s fireable.”
“Then fire me,” I said.
“Don’t tempt me, Maya.”
I grinned. “Where did you send Cody to?”
Cole’s face turned very serious. “Why does that matter?”
“Just curious.”
“It’s not your business.”
“I know it’s not,” I said. “I’m just having a conversation.”
“Not about that.”
“Oh, so we’re only allowed to talk about certain things?”
“Yes,” he said.
“You know, I better write this down. It’s getting confusing. I’m allowed to tell my friends you got me pregnant, but nobody here can know, right? Everyone in the office still thinks I’m some idiot who was drunk and got fucked, right?”
“Maya…”
“It’s okay,” I said. “I’m used to it.”
“Do you want me to walk out of here right now and announce it?”
“If you want to,” I said.
Cole closed one folder and opened another.
His finger moved down the first page and he nodded.
“I have a meeting with Mr. Pickle in an hour,” he said. “Are we meeting up later?”
“Maybe. My asshole boss is riding me hard today.”
Cole looked at me. “He’s going to ride you hard later too.”
“Now that’s a comment I can take to HR.”
“Do it,” Cole said. “While on your way there, get me something to drink.”
“I don’t feel like walking that far.”
“I didn’t ask. I told you to.”
“Cockhead Cole,” I whispered.
I left his office, not sure how much we were joking or telling the truth.
I went down to the cafe because I was hungry myself.
When I got back to Cole’s office, he was gone again.
I left him a drink and a snack then went back to my office to keep working.
My phone vibrated a short while later, it was Connie.
Talk?
I replied with a thumbs up emoji and she called me.
“How are you doing, preggo?” Connie asked.
“Tell me you’re still fucking your boss,” Jen said.
“Jen?” I asked.
“Oh, yeah, Jen is on the call too,” Connie said. “Sorry.”
“That’s fine. Hey to you both. Um, I’m still pregnant.”
“Still fucking your boss?” Jen asked.
“Yup,” I said.
“Bitch,” Connie said.
“So what’s up?” I asked.
“Go ahead, Jen,” Connie said.
“What’s wrong?” I asked. I slowly stood up.
“I just wanted to tell you that Ed got arrested last night.”
“Oh, no,” I said.
“He’s an asshole,” Connie said.
“Connie,” I said.
“No,” Connie said. “I’m sorry, Jen, but this is it. You have to figure this out.”
“I know.” Jen said as her voice crackled. “He’s just… I just wanted Eddie to have a father. I feel like I messed up so bad.”
“You didn’t mess up,” I said. “You couldn’t have known…”
Yes, she could have. Ed was always an asshole.
“This is what I keep saying,” Connie said. “About moving forward in life. You take what life deals you and move on. Right, Maya?”
“Yeah,” I said. “I mean, I didn’t plan on getting pregnant. I don’t regret it, but…”
“You do,” Connie said. “It’s okay. You think I wanted to end up with two kids like this? No. But it’s my life.”
“What did Ed do, Jen?” I asked.
“He was drunk in a car with some other woman,” Jen said. “They were fucking.”
“Oh, I’m sorry,” I whispered.
“Stupid whore,” Connie said.
“When