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Until, finally, the complete and utter heartbreak.
Eighteen months ago, after Derek and I hooked up in St. Kitts, I became pregnant. And I never told him.
CHAPTER 27
SIXTEEN MONTHS AGO
Olivia
My stomach knotsin a tangle of nerves. The lights above the elevator illuminate as I ride to the top floor of the modern skyscraper in LA. I tried to talk myself out of doing this the entire flight from Michigan, and I almost succeeded on the cab ride over from the airport. But here I am, carrying a duffle bag stuffed with enough clothes and toiletries for a weekend, on my way to visit Derek at his office...unannounced.
I really shouldn’t do this.
It’s been weeks since Avery’s wedding. Six weeks, in fact. I counted, motivated by the white stick with a plus sign currently tucked in between the clothes in my bag. I couldn’t get an appointment with my doctor until Wednesday to confirm, but after a week of taking a test every single day and each one coming up positive, there’s no room left for doubt. I’m pregnant, and Derek is the father.
To say I experienced a pendulum of emotions would be an understatement. At first, I was horrified. I’m a responsible person. I take birth control and insist my partners use condoms. I’m not the person who likes to leave things to chance. Especiallynot something as serious as a baby. But I forgot my birth control pills when I was at Avery’s wedding. I’d left them on my bathroom countertop like an idiot. And in the heat of the moment, I didn’t ask Derek to put on a condom. And, apparently, one time is all it took.
I blame tequila. Stupid, inhibition lowering, tequila.
The next emotion that threatened to overwhelm me this past week was mortification. How was I going to look Derek in the eye and tell him I’m pregnant when he hasn’t so much as sent a text to me since we hooked up in St. Kitts? Would he think I did it on purpose? Now that he’s rich and successful, I’m sure there are plenty of women who would try to trap him this way. Will he think I’m one of them? How will I prove I’m not?
And the last dominant emotion, the one that’s the most ridiculous, was happiness. I always wanted to be a mom, and I’ve daydreamed about having a family with Derek more times than I care to admit. This is not the way I wanted to go about it, but sharing a child with Derek is not the end of the world. We don’t even have to be together. I know, that no matter what, we will both do what we can to make the best of this situation. To do what’s best for our unborn child.
It's that thought that keeps me from pressing the button to return to the lobby. When the elevator doors open, I walk into a wide, sunny space decorated with modern art with my head held high. I walk up to the Source Solutions reception desk and wait for the woman sitting there to get off the phone so I can tell her I’m here to see Derek.
I really should have called.
What if he has a meeting and isn’t available?
Don’t be dramatic, Olivia. He would spare a minute to see you.
I hope that’s true.
I’m shuffling my feet, staring absentmindedly at a picture of bright, oddly shaped figures when the elevator dings.
I turn and see a gorgeous redhead walk through the doors, carrying a fancy-looking briefcase. With her green stilettos and curve-hugging pencil-shirt, she looks like a model pretending to be a businesswoman. But the sleek bun at the base of her neck gives her a professional appearance.
She walks up to the desk. I watch the receptionist look up and smile in recognition. “Hold on one minute, Mr. Valdez.” She presses a button on the phone’s keypad and then speaks to the redhead, “How can I help you today, Ms. Evans.”
The beauty’s smile is nothing short of breathtaking. Seriously, she should be a model. “Hello, Carla. I’m here to see Mr. Lawson, but I believe this woman was here first.” She motions to me.
I straighten and blink to try to hide how I was staring.
“Yes, of course.” The receptionist’s smile cools when she looks at me. “How can I help you, miss?”
“Oh, um. Hi.” I wave awkwardly. “I’m Olivia. I’m here to see Derek. I mean, Mr. Lawson.”
The woman frowns before looking at the computer screen in front of her. “Do you have an appointment?”
“No, I don’t, but he will want to see me.” Seeing the refusal forming on her lips, I add, “I’m basically family.”
“Are you Chloe’s daughter?” the redhead asks out of the blue.
Surprised to hear my mother’s name come from the stranger’s lips, I nod slowly and confirm, “I am.”
She grins. “Oh my goodness, I’m a huge fan. Her fashion line last season was so stunning. I bought every piece I could get my hands on.”
Her genuine enthusiasm makes me smile. “I’ll be sure to tell her.”
