Page 63 of Masked Seduction

I reply immediately, fingers trembling slightly.

Wouldn’t dream of it. See you there.

My heart pounds hard against my ribs. Happy hour with Claire is usually my favorite way to decompress, but today it feels daunting. If anyone can see right through my carefully constructed wall of composure, it’s Claire. I haven’t even told her I’m seeing him. How am I supposed to casually mention I might be pregnant with Abram’s baby?

Oh, God. Could I actually be pregnant?

A million thoughts spin through my head. We’ve been careful, but not every time. My stomach tightens with an odd combination of nerves and excitement.

I exhale slowly, forcing myself to calm down. Jumping to conclusions won’t help anything.

I give the box of tampons one last glance, then close the drawer slowly, willing my heart rate to return to normal. Pregnant or not, panicking won’t change anything. I’ll buy a test on the way home, take it in the privacy of my apartment, and go from there.

Until then, I have work to do.

I busy myself again, tidying my desk with renewed determination. But no matter how hard I try, my thoughts keep drifting back to the possibility that there might be a tiny life already growing inside me.

Abram’s child.

The idea simultaneously thrills and terrifies me. Abram’s world isn’t exactly white picket fences and suburban bliss. Could I bring a child into it? Could I handle it? How would Abram react?

My pulse quickens and I press my hands to my face, breathing in and out slowly. I’m getting ahead of myself again. I don’t even know if I’m pregnant, and already I’m spiraling.

Pull it together, Jenna. One step at a time.

With a deep breath, I glance at the clock. It’s nearly noon. Drinks with Claire is just a few hours away, and I need to look like I haven’t just had my entire world potentially flipped upside down.

I head to the restroom, taking a few moments to freshen up. I stare at myself in the mirror. I appear calm and collected on the surface, but beneath that facade, my nerves are uncertain and jittery.

“No matter what, you’ve got this,” I say to my reflection.

My voice sounds unconvincing. I splash cool water on my face, dab away any stray mascara smudges, and smooth my hair, trying to look and feel normal.

When I return to my desk, my phone vibrates again.

Abram.

I swallow hard as I open the text.

Have a good rest of the day. I’ll be counting the minutes until tonight.

Warmth floods me despite the anxiety humming beneath my skin. I reply quickly.

Counting them myself. Behave while I’m gone.

His reply is swift.

No promises.

I laugh softly, shaking my head. Even through the haze of worry, Abram still manages to make me smile.

Maybe that’s a sign.

Whatever happens, we’ll figure it out.

CHAPTER 23

JENNA