Page 76 of Accidental Theirs

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, whenareyou 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.