Merger to Marriage (Boardrooms and Billi - By Addison Fox Page 0,16
Now it’s horribly awkward.”
“Why? You’re not attached. From all appearances, he’s not either. And for the record, neither of you looked remotely awkward.”
Heated images filled her mind’s eye. They’d been her constant companion, every exquisite detail etched so firmly in her memory there were moments she could still feel his hands on her body, his fingers grazing her flesh. “There was nothing awkward about that night. It was completely wonderful.”
“So what are you doing up here, talking to me? Go spend some more time with him. Have some more of the completely wonderful and enjoy yourself.”
“It’s not that easy.”
The eager smile on Camryn’s face faded, replaced with a sudden understanding. “Was it bad?”
“God no.”
“Then what’s wrong?”
“I can’t shake the feeling something monumental happened that night.”
“One-night stands can be awkward that way. Do you have feelings for him now that you slept together?”
“I don’t mean that sort of monumental.”
Whether her concerns were telegraphed in her gaze or it was just the comfortable bond between sisters, Cam’s gaze narrowed. “What is it?”
“I think I’m pregnant.”
Chapter Four
Mayson let her words hang there, convinced her sister’s smack down was coming any moment, when Camryn surprised her by leaping across the bed to pull her into a tight hug.
“Mayson! I’m going to be an aunt!”
With her sister’s arms banded tightly around her shoulders, tears welled up without warning. The pregnancy thoughts had been a near-constant companion throughout the day, and she’d grown increasingly convinced she was right. But it was her unsuccessful attempt at fitting into an outfit before the barbeque that had been the final clue.
Camryn sat back. “Why the tears?”
“I’m pregnant. A single mother.”
“It doesn’t make the news any less joyful.”
“No, but it doesn’t exactly paint me like a saint.”
One lone, well-manicured eyebrow inched toward her sister’s forehead. “I wasn’t aware you were aiming for sainthood.”
“I’m not.” Mayson brushed at the tears. “But come on. Admit it. It’s a bit socially awkward, especially since I’m not dating anyone.”
“You’re not fifteen, Mayse. I don’t mean to minimize your concerns, but you’re a grown woman. You can care for your child.”
“What about my work with Hands, Hearts and Hugs?”
“What about it?”
“It’s physical work with the kids. And I’ve made a commitment to them to spend time there. I’m not going to have a lot of free time after the baby comes.”
“One day at a time, sweetie. Besides. I’ve seen you with those children. You bring joy and encourage them to be all they can be. You’ll figure it out, but you don’t have to decide it all right now.”
While she appreciated Camryn’s ready defense, Mayson knew it wasn’t that easy, especially with the funding they were trying to get for the expansion of the facility. She needed to be there and devote time to the site, yet her commitments to her child would come first. Not to mention all of her commitments to her job.
“You need to tell Holt.”
Camryn’s comment pulled her back into the here and now. “I need to take a pregnancy test.”
“Fine. After it’s positive, you need to tell Holt.”
Positive.
The word slammed through Mayson like an avalanche. Was it really possible? “I don’t want him to think I trapped him.”
“Did you use protection?”
“Yes.”
“The kind he had to put on?”
“Yes.”
“Then how could he think you trapped him?”
“I know, but…” She shook her head, the odd mix of complications swirling in her mind with gale-force winds.
She’d only ever had one other one-night stand, and that was in college. It had left her feeling strangely empty and disillusioned, and she’d avoided them ever since, preferring her sex inside a monogamous relationship. Adding to the complications, she and Holt used protection. She remembered them using protection, especially since they’d joked about it and she’d ordered him to get the condoms from his pocket.
So what the hell had happened?
Her hand strayed to her stomach, the thought of a life growing there—a one-in-a-million life, based on what had to be their odds—filling her with a quick rush of excitement.
She caught Camryn’s mushy smile. “What?”
“It’s sinking in.”
“I don’t know for sure.”
Camryn leaned forward and pulled her into a tight embrace once more. “Yeah, Sweetie, you do.”
…
Mayson stared at the stick on the bathroom counter and tried to grab hold of the myriad emotions swamping her in thick, heavy waves. Happiness and joy. Panic and fear. Even more happiness and joy.
She was pregnant.
Once she’d finished her cry-fest the night before, she and Camryn had driven into town and picked up a kit. She’d purposely waited overnight to do the test,