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That was indeed bullshit, and I knew it. Aubrey mentioned it that day, but I didn’t even remember it. I just used it for my nefarious gain. I headed out the office.
“Makes sense,” Bryce's voice followed behind me.
“Where are you going? We haven’t settled this.” Dean trailed along with Bryce.
I continue strutting through my massive place. The four-bedroom penthouse was too damn big for one person. I grabbed my keys out of the dish on the foyer table at my front door. Facing my brother, I smiled. “Going to see a woman about a baby.”
“Don’t let her turn down the job. Theron has onsite daycare for a reason.” Bryce called out as I exited.
I had no plans to let her refuse any offer I had set before her today.
~YH~
“Ms. Crawford, I have your appointment for today at two forty-five. Please report to the lab by one thirty for your bloodwork so your results will be ready when you meet with the doctor.”
“I sure will. Thank you.” I set the phone down on my coffee table. I got permission to work from home today. I needed to get some things in order and make a plan. My career plans have been on hold for a while now that I had a baby on the way. I didn’t tell Bryce why I had to turn down the position, but I wouldn’t think of this baby as my mother had me, a dream killer. That’s all I heard when my mother was intoxicated; how she could have been something if not for me. Things would have to be postponed, maybe until the child got into kindergarten. Maybe college.
I placed a hand on my stomach. “You’ll know you’re a blessing no matter what.”
The knock startled me. Dean had been over most of the weekend, mainly in the evening, bringing me things like B6, and more potent ginger candy and tea he’d picked up from the Asian grocery store. The ginger tea had been wonderful to keep the harsher nausea at bay, and sucking on the candy often was like a little miracle. Dean knew I would work from home and usually wouldn’t disturb me. Knowing my friend, he was bringing me something nutritious for lunch. He was going to be a great uncle.
Dean hadn’t asked who the father was, and I was happy about that. I’d tell him soon. I just didn’t know how. What would he think of me? What would Stone think of me?
That I was some opportunist who had leached off their family for years, and now I was in for the ultimate cash cow—a baby.
But I didn’t need the Theron's money to raise this child. Financially I was set. Even at a young age, I’d invested and diversified my funds since I’d turned eighteen and could keep it out of my mother’s hands. I had a nice nest egg, from the funds I could touch, to last me for a few years even if they fired me.
The second knock happened as I got to the door. Laughing, I pulled it open, “Okay. Okay. Why didn’t you just use your key—”
“You expecting someone else?” Stone stood there looking impeccable in one of his Bianchi Brothers suits. The tailor-made dark suit didn’t make the man, but the navy color intensified the blue-gray of his eyes. The eyes were laser-focused on me.
I was grateful for the early zoom meeting I had with Bryce because I’d dressed business casually even though I wasn’t planning to go into the office. At least Stone didn’t catch me looking like a frump at home.
“I thought—” Licking my lips, I stopped talking, then started again. “Hello, Mr. Theron. May I assist you?”
My insides were trembling, not a new situation when I was around Stone. Except usually, it was shivers of lust instead of fear. But the desire for him was still there, and now that I knew the skill he brought to the bedroom, the need pulsated and hot.
His gaze traversed my body, so bold. I swore he could see through my clothing. “May I come in, or do you want to have this conversation in your hall for all your neighbors?”
I swallowed. I wasn’t sure what conversation he was talking about, but I stepped back and let him in.
My small condo instantly became tiny with Stone’s mass and build inside of it. Knowing the size of his lake house and their family home, I’m sure he felt claustrophobic in the space. I pushed the door shut with a click. “I have some budget stuff to get through if you don’t mind getting to why you’ve come here.”
He held my gaze.
We just stood there staring at each other.
I became uneasy. My belly tightened, and even though I knew it was too soon for the baby to start moving, I swore there were tiny flutters. Flutters that came in a rhythm that echoed Tell him…tell him…tell him.
I balled my hands into a fist to keep from resting them on my stomach. Neither one of us asked for this, but the burden was mine. I wouldn’t saddle him with expectations for a child he never wanted. When a couple of months had passed, I’d tell people I was pregnant, and when it came, I’d say it was early. Early pregnancies happen all the time. Stone Theron would be none the wiser. Simple.
“Bryce said you turned down the assistant position.”
“That's correct. I didn’t think it was right for me at this time.” I stayed by the kitchen while he was in the center of the living room, but that only put us a few feet apart. I could smell his cologne, which was the same as he’d had on the night…
I dropped the train of thought. I was just glad it didn’t send me running to the commode as Dean’s had.
“Why?”
