Page 25 of Power Move

“Well, technically, it’s the U.S. So, everything is. But once he finds out I’m pregnant andnotcovered by FMLA, he will can my ass so fast.”

“He wouldn’t do that. You will figure it out,” Ellie said. “Are we still on for dinner later or are you not up to it?”

My heart sank. “I haven’t kept anything down all day, Ellie. I doubt I can do tacos.”

“Now, Iknowyou’re sick,” Ellie said sweetly. “Why don’t I bring you a slushie and some fries and we can sit out on the back deck?”

“I’d get in the pool at this point,” I said. “If you don’t mind. You can bring Jane.”

“She’s at her dad’s.”

I watched Davey cross the open sitting area between the offices in a huff. There was my baby daddy wandering around in the wild acting like an absolute ass. The irony of all of this was he was about to fire the mother of his child all out of pride and rage. I would be the one with no health insurance or income in a middling job market. No one would hire me.

“Well, come by. Mom and Dad are going to something at the church for my nephew. It’s going to be all quiet. I love you for it,” I said.

“Don’t worry about it. I’ve got you.”

Turning my attention back to our current misguided risk acceptance program, I fell back into my work. I ignored my corporate cheerleader getup, focusing instead on this. That was until Daphne stood in my doorway.

“So, they swapped out the pipe,” she looked at the offendinghole. “But this looks like hell. They’re going to have to patch the plaster. I’m sorry.”

“Maybe I should just work from home for awhile?” I hoped like hell she’d say yes.

Daphne wobbled over and dropped onto the small couch on the side of the office. “Apologies. My feet are so fucking swollen.”

She put them up on the coffee table and let out a long breath.

“How did the appointment go?”

“I have GD. They wouldn’t even let me do another test. They just told me my numbers were too high, so now I have no clue what to eat. But Cal, being the absolute best husband on earth, has hired a chef to make me meals.”

“That’s really sweet,” I said.

Davey appeared. “Daphne, can I have a minute when you… have a minute?”

He looked at me, annoyed, then back at his sister.

“I’m just sitting down,” Daphne said. “Checking in on Eva. I’ll be with you in a bit.”

He nodded, then left.

“He’s in a nervous mood today!” Daphne giggled. “He passed me on the way in and said he thinks people have norovirus.”

Great.

“Oh, that sucks,” I said.

“Yeah, he gets a bee in his bonnet, and I have to calm him down.”

Excellent. So, I’m fucked?I sensed he was about to tell Daphne to cull me. Who could blame him?

“Are you okay?” Daphne asked. “You don’t look okay.”

“I think this isn’t right for me,” I said. “I think you all are going to fire me and it’s better if I just resign and?—”

Daphne hoisted herself off the couch and walked to gently shut the door. She turned back, sitting across from me.

“Has Claire said something about not being happy with your work? Have I?”