I zip my pants and sit down at my desk, trying to figure out up from down. Ruffled from more than the sex, I’m too bereft to even have blue balls over her departure. I can’t answer her, even as I listen to Lia fight with the door. I hear it open at last, and it catches on the lock without closing. I’ll go home soon and fix the door on my way. It’s not like I could be worth any good here today. Not now with the smell of sex heavy in the air and her scent all over me.

I shut down my computer and tidy up the papers we shoved out of our way. Seeing the picture of Tasha alone couldn’t have caused Lia to run, could it? Did she tell her dad already and he’s upset? Is she losing the baby, despite saying she wasn’t, and can’t tell me? Panic has me pulling out my waistband and checking my softening dick for any signs of spotting. Finding none, I zip up and try to feel relief over that small favor.

“You look sad.” Jean is leaning against my doorjamb, her lab coat open to show a white sheath dress beneath that is more lingerie than work appropriate clothing. “Can I help?”

Remembering the latch and how it would prevent the door from being locked, I sigh and shake my head. At least Jean didn’t catch me with my pants down. “I just have a lot on my mind.” Pushing my laptop into its bag, I close the latches and stand. “What can I do for you, Jean? Lia has already left for the day.” There’s nothing I can think of that I owe her department. The party planning is underway, and my part of it is taken care of.

“You could let me turn that frown upside down, Beck.” She crosses the space between us with an overexaggerated sway of her hips on each step. “You’ve been alone too long. You need a woman.” Her crimson tipped nails draw my eyes down as she grasps the bottom hem and lifts it up. “And I need a real man. That husband of mine is more concerned with his leech of a daughter than he is with my needs.” She’s bare beneath.

Livid at how she would make such an advance on me—her boss—and while married, I shove her away from me. “No, Jean. You’re married, and I am not interested. Go and don’t come back like this ever again. I’ll let this lapse in your judgement go for Lia’s sake and for the fact that you are a valuable employee. But you and me? We are never going to happen. Now get out.” I can’t bring myself to call for security; I don’t want that debacle. I just want to get home and think about Lia. I’m too worried about her and our baby for anyone else to matter right now.

6

Lia

It’s hard to hide my news and how awful my day went when I call Tasha. Keeping it to myself is like swallowing bile repeatedly, burning with each word. She needs me, though. I owe it to Tasha to give her my undivided attention. Tomorrow, I’ll deal with Beck and trying to focus on him, on us, but now is for his daughter.

Or one of his daughters, if I’m having a girl. My hand drops to my stomach at the thought, and I imagine what he or she is like. I haven’t dared so much as look at a pregnancy site for fear of Jean or my dad walking in and catching me.

“So, I’m like seven weeks along.”

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I long to tell her “me too!” but keep my mouth shut as she continues.

“It’s too early to tell anyone according to the book Chris got at the library. They suggest waiting until after the first trimester, which is like twelve weeks, in case…” Her voice trails off in a sad whimper, and the tears I had just managed to get her to stop crying start up again.

“You’re fine, Tasha,” I promise her. “And your baby is fine right now. Have you called your doctor?”

Her voice is shaky, but after blowing her nose she is able to form understandable sentences again. “She won’t see me until after next week when I miss a second period.” I know if I told Beck that Tasha needed in to see the doctor, he would make it happen… I can’t out her like that, though. She deserves the chance to tell him on her own terms.

“What does Chris think about everything?” He can’t be as excited as Beck. I steal a glance at my purse where the card and toy are hidden. I shouldn’t have acted like that toward Beck, but he caught me so off-guard. I don’t know how long I can keep this a secret from him. “Is Chris scared?” We’re all so young.




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