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A few hours? She needed a few weeks, or months, depending on how long this state of feeling like death lingered. Of course by that time she’d resemble a whale which would totally knock her out of playing Rose Barrington.
“A few hours won’t make a difference, but thanks.”
She sniffed again, desperately needing a tissue. Wow, if the paparazzi could only see her now. Sniffling, crying and looking like pure hell. They’d make up something akin to Starlet Hooked on Drugs or The Girl Next Door Reverts Back to Her Wild Days as their top story.
“Does this have to do with Nash?” he whispered. “You seem really upset for just not feeling well. Did he do something?”
Hysterical laughter burst through her as more tears flowed. Yeah, she was officially a disaster and she was totally falling apart in front of her new agent. An agent who had flown all the way out here to convince her to sign with his agency...the poor man was probably reconsidering his decision even though in the short time they’d been official, they had come to think of each other as good friends.
So instead of letting him continue to think she’d gone completely insane, she blurted out, “I’m pregnant.”
Ian’s eyes widened for only a second before he wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her into a friendly hug.
“I assume this is Nash’s?”
Lily nodded against his shoulder and held on to his arms. “Nobody knows. Please keep the news to yourself until I tell you otherwise.”
“Of course.” He gave her shoulder a slight squeeze, then stepped back. “Is this why you haven’t gotten back to me on either of those scripts?”
His smile warmed her and she nodded. “I’m so torn. I have no clue what work you can find for me and I just don’t know how I’ll manage with being pregnant or even what will happen when the baby comes.”
Ian kept his grip on her shoulders and tipped his head down to look her straight in the eye. “Listen, this news is a shock to you now, but you are a strong woman. Actresses have babies all the time. You will do just fine and I’ve no doubt I’ll find work for you. Never worry about that. That’s my job. Okay?”
The strong wind had her hair dancing around her shoulders. Lily shoved the wayward strands behind her ears. “I need to get to hair and makeup. I’m really late now. Thanks for understanding and for keeping my secret.”
Ian dropped his hands. “You go on. I’m going to see Nash because he’s been shooting death glares at me from the stables since we stopped to talk.”
Wrapping her arms around her waist, Lily smiled. “He’s a bit protective.”
“Looks like a man in love to me.”
Love? No. Lust? Yes. They weren’t near the stage for love to enter the equation—well, she was teetering on the brink. Their sexual chemistry was completely off the charts, though.
“Tell him I’ll see him later and that I’m fine,” she told Ian. “He worries like my mother.”
With a soft chuckle, Ian nodded. “Will do.”
Ian walked toward the stables and Lily paused briefly to stare at Nash. Even from across the wide concrete drive and the side yard, she could see the stone-solid look on his face. That wasn’t jealousy. What did he have to be jealous of, anyway? Yes, they were having a baby together, but they’d still made no commitment to each other.
Why shouldn’t they try for more? Why couldn’t she just tell him what she wanted? She wasn’t asking for a ring on her finger. This innocent baby wouldn’t be caught in the middle. Lily wanted her child to have security and the love of both parents whether they were together or not. She had to figure out how Nash felt about her beyond the sexual aspect.
But she had a feeling she knew how his mind worked. A man like Nash wouldn’t let go of anything that belonged to him and since this baby was his, she knew he wouldn’t let go of her, either.
This could be an opportunity to see if she was ready for something long-term with the man who had literally turned her world upside down.
Five
Nash had no idea how nervous he had been about this appointment until he closed the door behind the doctor once the checkup was done. Now he and Lily were alone in his rental house which was only a few miles from the Barrington estate.
The baby was healthy with a good, strong heartbeat. Lily’s blood pressure was a bit on the high side and the doctor warned about too much stress and urged her to rest for the next few weeks until the next appointment. Nash vowed silently to make sure Lily was relaxed, pampered and wanted for nothing as long as she was here. And she would stay here for the next few weeks...if not longer. They hadn’t really discussed her living arrangements, but Nash wasn’t backing down on this matter. His child would stay under his roof for now.
