Page 56 of Shark’s Rise

“I think if you rest as much as possible while we’re home, you will have more stamina when we go out,” Dori persisted. “It will be better for everything, if you want to go to your office, run errands, or whatever. Does that make sense?”

I couldn’t help but break out a bigger grin in reply. This woman definitely had a servant’s heart and was quickly worming her way into mine. “All right,” I conceded at last. “You do have a good point…”

“But?” She spoke the word I was already implying.

“But it’s just so hard for me to lounge around so much,” I confessed. “I get so restless…and bored! I’m used to being very independent, and this has been a hard change for me. I don’t think Sebastian understands that.”

“I can only imagine. Then maybe you walk around from room to room? I mean, this house is enormous. I just don’t want to see you out back pulling weeds!”

We both laughed, but once more, she was the first to turn serious. “Maybe…you need to tell him all of this?”

I crunched a frown. “Tell him what?”

“That this change, from being so independent to being waited on, has been a hard adjustment for you.”

I thought about it for a few beats. “You’re very smart for a girl so young. Has anyone ever told you that?”

“Pfft. I’m probably older than you, Abbi. Just blessed with good skin genes. My mama was a very wise woman. I learned a lot from her.”

“How would Sebastian not know that about me already? I mean, he knows me inside and out. He knows me better than I know myself half the time. Why wouldn’t he know this is hard for me?”

“Men are often simple creatures. They see things in black and white. Sometimes they need to just be told things you think they should know, especially when it comes to how you’re feeling.” She patted my leg, which was still covered by all the blankets. “Now, I’m going to get you some tea, and then we’ll see about going to the office. I think Mr. Shark said his driver is at our disposal, and we just need to give him a call when we are ready for him to get us.”

“I have a perfectly fine vehicle outside. I don’t need to be driven around town.”

She tilted her head. “Mmm, well, you do when you’re still getting dizzy with no warning and vomiting at the drop of a pin. Do you want that to happen to you—or your unborn child or me—in the fast lane on the 405?” She gave me a saucy wink while popping back to her feet. “Didn’t think so. Now let me go get you some tea.”

Well…wow. I was totally in love with my new friend. I made a mental note to thank Bas for asking Dori to come back to LA with us. This was the kind of person I needed around me while I endured this house arrest. Though I adored my sister-in-law, even thinking about Rio and her fireball intensity right now was an exhausting task.

But the thing was, I did think about her. A lot.

Rio had been my lifesaver. The pinch hitter to see Abstract through one of our biggest growth spurts yet. Even if that was the case, I’d have to break mine and Bas’s “announcement” to her and Sean with care and delicacy—and sooner rather than later. But first I needed to talk to Sebastian and make sure he was on board with sharing our news. Not because I needed his permission, but because this was his story, too. It was only considerate to involve him in the decision as to when we made the information public.

A text message came in from my man as if he could sense that I was up and moving around.

I’m happy you slept so long, Red.

Okay, scratch the cosmic dribble. Dori must have let him know I was awake. But just like a modern-day fairy godmother, she appeared now too. She was carrying a cup of tea and dry toast, all artfully arranged on a tray. Despite her beautiful offering, she had the grace to look contrite when she saw the expression on my face and the phone in my hand.

“I’m sorry.” She lifted a sheepish grin. “He wanted me to let him know when you were awake. And his orders still trump yours.”

“I know, I know.” I looked to the ceiling as if asking heaven for enlightenment. “Because he signs the paychecks and all.”

“Because I want the best for that little baby,” she rebutted. “Whoever’s being the least stubborn and thinking with that child’s best interest at the moment, that’s where you shall find my loyalty.”

I lowered my head into an approving nod.

“Now drink this while it’s warm.”

She set the tray down on the bed where I could easily reach it. “I brought the toast in case you were feeling adventurous.” She took a few steps back from the bed before looking around the room. “Do you want me to let some daylight in here?”

Are you not speaking to me?

Sorry. Dori just brought me some

tea. Thank you for bringing her

back with us. I love her.