Page 34 of Power Move

Now, it was a girl. I wasn’t sure why, but I went with it.

“Well, that’s a relief! I’m happy.” Ellie hugged Eva. “Did you get an ultrasound picture, Davey?”

“I doubt he cares,” Eva blushed nervously.

Why was she being so weird? Was it the fear of being seen? I also wanted to move this along before anyone saw us, but Ellie was sweet.

“Nonsense.”

Ellie pushed her way back to the receptionist. “Can I have those scissors for just a sec?”

Ellie cut the film into four squares, then marched back. Eva didn’t bat an eye as she took the now-separate pictures back. Women bonded differently than men.

“Here,” Eva sighed, “this should tide you over.”

I appraised the tiny beating heart before tucking the photo inmy suit jacket. “Thanks. That means a lot, Eva. Look, I gotta run. Do you need me to cover for you or anything?”

“I’m good. Please, God, don’t say anything to Daphne.”

I nodded. “Okay. Well, it’s nice seeing you again, Ellie. And let me know when we can chat about the rest, Eva.”

Eva granted me the tiniest nod in the world, and I departed.Baby steps, Davey.

13.BABY STEPS

Eva

“He’s really trying, Eva,”Ellie said.

“No. You’re trying to play on his team,” I said as we travelled back to the building.

“He cares. He wastouchedwhen you gave him that photo.”

I rolled my eyes. “I’m the one miserable right now!”

“True, but he’s trying.”

“I don’t like it. He’s paying for everything, and I can just hear it now. I’llowehim for covering the cost of my prenatal care even thoughhegot me knocked up.”

“I’d milk it for all it was worth. Does that make me awful?” Ellie giggled. “Does ice cream count as prenatal care?”

“I don’t need him to pay. I make good money, and I live at home. Look, I am here. This is my building. I should leave you.”

“No! Let me come up! I want to see your office!”

I grimaced. I hadn’t told her whoexactlyDavey was. Nor did I want to get a million fucking questions, but here we were. She was so excited.

“C’mon! Please!”

“Fine. But I have a meeting at 10:30,” I said. “And I have to lead it.”

“Promise I will be out in 5.”

After grabbing a visitor’s badge, we took the elevator to the executive floor.

“Oh, Eva! Great!” Claire said. “Jamie said you were going to explain the new retail tech strategy to compliance. Are you prepared for the PCI stuff? I need that for later.”

“It will be in your mailbox in fifteen,” I answered. “I worked on it yesterday. Claire, this is Ellie Jamison, my best friend. She’s just dropping by. And Ellie, this is Claire Nguyen, our CISO.”