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“No, no. I’m just glad you’re okay. I know Hunter’s going to be relieved.”
“You didn’t tell him, did you?” I ask hurriedly.
“Not yet, but—”
“Please. Don’t mention this to him.”
Charlie frowns. “Why not?”
“I’ve got reasons.”
“Is this because of the fight with your dad?”
I swallow hard. “Yeah. I mean, that’s part of it.”
“He feels bad about it, you know. I haven’t seen him in ages. He’s holed up at home waiting for this shitstorm to die down, but I know he regrets his actions.”
I shake my head. “It’s not entirely his fault. Dad was equally to blame, if not more.” I pick at my fingernails. I’m tired and I’ve been on my feet for way too long. The air still smells heavily of smoke, which I don’t think is doing any favors for the baby.
Taylor comes rushing back, draping a blanket over my shoulders. “Let’s get you home, babe.”
“Is it safe?”
“The paparazzi have finally petered out, moved on to the next big thing.”
“That’s a relief.”
“Still,” Charlie says, “you should lay low.”
Taylor rubs my arms to help me generate some warmth. “Let’s get going before your stalker-arsonist comes back.”
I, for one, won’t argue with that logic.
* * *
The next few weeks are uneventful. I don’t know what to do with myself.
I clean, I cook, I read, but I can’t shake the restlessness that’s soaked into my bones. Apart from the occasional bout of morning sickness, the baby’s treating me well. I can feel myself getting stronger with every passing day, the thought of meeting them filling me with excitement.
Late one Friday evening, I’m, as usual, not doing much. Taylor’s normally busy in her room with her clients, but today, she’s dressed casually in a pair of sweatpants and a black hoodie that most definitely doesn’t belong to her.
“Is that Charlie’s?” I ask her, peeking over the edge of the pregnancy book I’m studying. I’m learning about what to expect each trimester.
Taylor nods, smiling like the cat who got the cream. She’s been busy packing up her toys, tossing them into a box and taping it up. “I like stealing his clothes. He smells nice.”
“Things are getting pretty serious between you two, huh?”
“Yeah, they are. I’m actually retiring.”
I put my book down. “Well, that’s quite the development. What brought that on?”
She shrugs. “We got to talking the other night after we, uh, got down and dirty.”
“Oh, I’m aware. I’m across the hall, remember?”
“We weren’tthatloud. Anyways, I decided…” Taylor giggles like a schoolgirl. “I really like him, Eden. I want to see where this goes. I think it’s only right that I stop hosting sessions. Nobody gets to see me except him, you know what I mean?”
“I think the word you’re looking for isexclusive.” I smile at her. “I’m happy for you, Tay. That’s seriously awesome. What are you going to do for work in the meantime?”
