Page 19 of Accidental Theirs (Alpha Billionaire Daddies #6)

Chapter Sixteen

OLIVIA

I take deep breaths, in through my nostrils, out through my mouth. Sometimes, these breathing exercises are the only way to calm myself down, and God knows I need to be calm right now.

My head feels fuzzy, almost like I’m standing outside my body looking on at the scene.

I know I should be angry, hurt, something , but I’m just numb.

Damien works closely with the accounting department. He’s always had a head for numbers, and I don’t, so he’s always handled all the finances. He knew what was going on, and he didn’t tell me. He’s willing to sacrifice the company my mother built from the ground up.

Just when I thought...

I frown.

What did I think? That maybe he’s the father of this baby? That maybe we could have something real?

Is that even what I want?

As much as Dominic hurt me, he’s the one who told me the truth. Even though it could potentially cost him his job. It could even push me further away from him.

It makes me wonder if I can trust him again.

But I’m not there yet. For now, I have to focus on Carter Holdings and figure out what to do about this baby.

Ugh.

I should have told Dominic while he was here, but I can’t imagine telling him at work, and besides, he blindsided me with the news that Titan will dissolve my company.

I jump when there is a knock on my door, and I clear my throat before calling for whoever it is to enter.

Roland opens the door slowly, coming in and closing it behind him.

“I saw Dominic leaving the building. Are you okay?”

I want to break down, tell my best friend everything that’s going on, but for now, I need to keep everything close to my chest. It’s not that I don’t trust Roland. I trust him with my life. But he's a bit of a gossip, and I can’t have the spy catching on.

“Fine.” I plaster on a smile that probably doesn’t reach my eyes.

“Are you sure?” He sounds unconvinced.

I shrug. “I mean, as much as can be expected, given the circumstances.”

“Did you tell him?”

I shake my head. “Not yet. Didn’t want to do it at work in case he flips out.”

“Oh, he’s definitely going to flip out. Especially because there is no way to know if it’s his.”

I bark out a laugh. “Yeah. I know.”

“So, when are you going to tell him? And the others?”

I groan. “As soon as I see them next outside of work.”

“Don’t you have a date with Damien coming up?”

Shit .

“It’s tonight.” I had totally forgotten.

I haven’t seen Damien since I first came in this morning, and I hope I can continue to avoid him. I need to have a real talk with him, see why he hid this from me, see what he’s thinking, but I can’t do it right now. He’ll see it all over my face.

“You excited?”

“More than you know.” But what I’m excited about is telling him off for lying to me for months. Deep down, beneath the numb feeling and the anger, there’s hurt, but I’m trying to push it down.

“What are you going to wear?”

“I don’t know. You and Marie are coming over to help.”

“We are?” He smirks. “Good to know.”

“Marie and I carpool anyway, so you’ll just follow us home.”

“Good thing I don’t have plans.”

“I need you guys right now.” I pout, and Roland nods.

“I know, boo. We got you. I’ll be there with bells on.” He exits, and I let out the breath I’ve been holding.

It doesn’t feel right not to tell Roland what’s going on, but I have to keep it from him and Marie, just for now. Just until I find out exactly what’s going on.

Until I can find the leak.

The rest of the workday goes by in a blur, and I honestly can’t remember what work I even got done. Mostly I just sit at my desk, trying not to overthink.

Not only am I having a surprise baby, I don’t know who the father is. On top of that, I’m potentially losing my business. My mother’s legacy.

It’s a wonder I don’t completely lose my mind.

Luckily, I don’t see Damien because he stays in his office, and I know that’s for the best .

I need to collect myself, to process this, to find a way to tell him how I feel without flipping out on him.

He kept this from me, and even though I’m hurt and angry, he might be the father of my child. I can’t exactly burn bridges.

Marie meets me at my car. The walk to the parking garage helps me decompress after a long day.

She leans up against the passenger side as I press the fob to unlock the doors.

“You ready for tonight?”

“Ready as I’ll ever be.”

“Are you nervous?”

I nod. I am nervous, and not just because of what happened today.

Seeing Damien as a potential partner is kind of crazy, when I really think about it. He’s always been so professional, kept me at a distance.

I don’t know what’s changed, but he’s different now. Softer, somehow. And I have to admit, the vulnerability is appealing.

Marie casts me a side-eyed frown. “You’re acting funny.”

I keep my eyes on the road. “Dominic came this morning on behalf of Titan.”

“Oh? What happened?”

“He kissed me.”

It’s easier to tell part of the truth than completely lie to my friends. Guilt rushes through me, but I know I’m making the right decision.

This needs to stay between me, Dominic, and Damien.

“Hoo boy,” she breathes. “So, is he in the running for favorite baby daddy?”

I snort. “I don’t have a favorite , Marie.”

“I guess you haven’t made a decision yet. ”

“I haven’t. Besides, what happens if I pick a favorite and he’s not the dad?”

Marie shakes her head. “You don’t have to be with whoever the dad is just because of biology. I want you to be happy, not settle just because you’re pregnant.”

Settling is a strong word, but I understand what she means.

It’s hard to imagine what the future will be like when I know Carter Holdings is in trouble.

Roland pulls up behind us in the parking lot, and we all walk into my apartment.

I kick off my shoes at the door and throw my keys in a bowl on the counter.

“Is he picking you up?” Roland asks.

“Nope. I’m meeting him at the restaurant. Some new steakhouse called Bullhorns.”

“I’ve heard of it. Expensive.” Marie smirks. “But he can afford it.”

“Damn right, he can. Carter Holdings pays him more than enough,” I mumble.

Roland heads straight to my room, rifling through my closet. He pushes a bunch of it aside, pulling out a few options and throwing them on the bed.

“Do you need easy access, or can you wear pants?” Marie teases, and I scoff.

“Definitely pants.”

Roland raises an eyebrow. “Was the sex bad with him or something?”

“God, no. It was amazing. But I need to keep a clear head.”

Roland laughs. “Fair enough.”

He picks up a pair of black slacks that my mother bought for me and had tailored.

They fit me a little tight, stretching across my hips. I’ve apparently gained a little weight. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised.

I frown, looking at myself in the mirror, just wearing my bra and the slacks.

“I look fat.”

Marie scoffs. “You’re full of shit. You’re what, a hundred and twenty pounds soaking wet? Give me a break.”

I’m quite a bit more than that, but I’m tall, so I guess it evens out.

Roland throws me a red blouse with a plunging neckline. “Thick is in.”

My breasts have been tender and swollen, too, and I have more cleavage than I ever have.

“Isn’t this a little?—”

“Slutty? Absolutely. That’s what we want. Slutty yet classy.” Roland grins.

I frown. “Is it?”

“You want him to want you, right?”

I hesitate. As angry as I am with Damien right now, Roland is right. I do want him to want me.

“Yes,” I finally mutter.

Marie claps her hands. “Perfect. Then you’re all dressed. Now it’s time for hair and makeup.”

She sweeps me into the bathroom and starts on my face, barely letting me give any input.

When she’s done, I blink at myself in the mirror.

My eyes pop with the reddish eyeliner under my eyes and the brown shadow on my eyelids. Nude lipstick with a pink liner makes my lips look pouty and inviting.

And my skin looks so clear and even.

My hair is curled slightly at the ends, and usually, I can’t hold a curl to save my life.

“You’re a wizard,” I whisper, and Marie chuckles with delight .

“Not a wizard. Just watched a lot of makeup tutorials.”

Roland whistles as we walk out of the bathroom. “Is that you, Olivia?”

“Shut up.” I can’t help but smile.

I do feel pretty, and that will go a long way to giving me the confidence I need to confront Damien… and tell him that I’m pregnant. That it might be his.

I leave Roland and Marie at my place, knowing they’ll lock up when they leave. Each of them has a key in case of emergencies—or in case they just need a place to crash.

Who knows how this will go? I may need to call them back over for moral support.

I take the deepest breath as I get into my car and head toward Bullhorns.

When I arrive, Damien’s standing with his broad back pressed against the brick.

Jesus, he’s built.

I remember bracing my hands on that firm chest, watching his abdomen contract while…

No.

I can’t think like that right now. I’m mad at him.

How could he hide this from me? I thought we were friends, even though he’s always held me at arm’s length.

The hurt threatens to creep in and erase the anger, but I won’t let it. Bypassing the valet, I park and walk up to him, keeping my head high.

He gives me that slow half-smile of his, his eyes flicking down my body and back up to my face.

“You look incredible.”

He’s dressed more casually than usual, just a white button-up shirt and a pair of gray slacks that hug his thick thighs.

“Thank you.” I know my tone is terse, but I can’t seem to help it.

His smile fades just slightly, his eyes searching my face .

“Is everything all right?”

“Fine. Let’s eat.”

I am actually starving, and a bloody steak sounds really good right now.

If this night is going to end badly, I at least want to get a meal out of it.

I walk inside without waiting for him to open the door for me, tugging it open myself, knowing he’ll follow. Dreading the moment we have to sit and face each other without further distractions.

Let’s see how this goes.