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“In case you forgot, I’m the lead lawyer on this case. You can’t just waltz in here and change things without my knowledge or consent.”
“Well, you seem a little busy lately.” He glances at my stomach. So this is personal.
“That has nothing to do with my ability to get shit done, and you know it.”
“Like how right now you’re having a rational conversation with me and not having an emotional breakdown?” Parker smirks.
“I’d have a rational conversation if you were a rational person. I mean, who the hell gets a job working where their ex does and has the audacity to be angry when she’s moved on?” If he is going to make this personal, so am I.
“I don’t need this.” His face falls and his mouth forms a tight line. I struck a nerve, good.
“Don’t mess with my job, Parker, or you’ll regret it,” I snap and head back to my office.
I make sure to get to the restaurant early so I can be sitting down when my father arrives. Buying me more time to build up the courage to say something instead of my stomach doing the talking for me. He’s right on time, smiling as soon as he sees me. He leans over to hug me hello but I don’t stand, covering my stomach with a napkin under the tall tables.
“Isn’t this nice? You look great,” he says cheerfully.
“Thanks, so do you.” I sip the water in front of me slowly.
“Do you want wine? I’ll grab the waiter.” He goes to put up his hand but I stop him.
“Actually, Dad, there’s something we should talk about.” I put down the menu, remove the napkin, and reveal my baby bump.
“So you had a big lunch?” He chuckles.
“Dad.”
“I’m just joking, I knew there must be something going on. You missed so many dinners. Were you just afraid to tell me?”
“Yeah.” I don’t know why but I feel tears coming on. My dad stands and hugs me again.
“It’s okay, I’m happy for you if you’re happy. Are we happy?”
“Yes. We’re very happy,” I say proudly.
“So, where’s the father to be? Hiding out from me?” He chuckles again.
“Uh, that’s the other thing I need to tell you. We actually aren’t together,” I say quickly and pick up my glass again, avoiding eye contact.
“Well, where the hell is he?” I can see the anger rising.
“He doesn’t know about the baby. We broke up before I found out,” is the easiest way to explain it.
“And you lost his number? Sweetheart, I don’t understand.” He sighs. “Hold on.” He waves over the waiter and orders a scotch on the rocks. I’ve never seen him drink anything stronger than wine so I knew we are in for a night.
“No, I just haven’t exactly figured out how to tell him.”
“But you are going to tell him?”
“Yeah,” I lie.
“Sweetheart, I’m a lawyer too, and you can’t lie to me.”
“I probably will, I just don’t necessarily want to,” I admit. Telling Cody comes with all these unknowns that scare me more than not telling him does.
“That’s understandable, but he has a right to know.”
I nod.
