Page 91 of Size King

“I’m not sure who found out and told management,” says Jillian. “I have my theories, but they didn’t want to tell me who told them. They just said, ‘Gossip travels fast among models.’ Figures that they wouldn’t give up the rat. I don’t care, though.”

“I would care,” says Emma.

“It’s done,” says Jillian. “I’m not going to waste my time staying mad. It’s out there, and pretty much everyone at K-Plus knows now.”

“So, what did they do?” I ask.

She hesitates a second before answering me. “Well, they said they’re not going to call me until after I’ve had the baby.”

“That’s bullshit!” Emma yells. “We could sue their asses, Jillian. You’re not even showing yet! You could totally have a case.”

“What did I just say about not staying mad?” Jillian responds.

Emma smirks. “They better give you severance.”

“Well, they did give me something interesting,” says Jillian. “They said they felt bad about having to stop calling me for these shoots. Apparently, Kayla Baker heard about me being pregnant, too.”

“As in theownerand CEO, Kayla Baker?” Emma asks with wide eyes.

“That’s the one,” she confirms. “She really doesn’t want women to model when they’re pregnant, apparently. She thinks the stress of pregnancy and work combined is too much to handle.”

“This coming from someone who probably doesn’t have kids herself,” I add.

“She just had a kid with her husband,” says Jillian. “I think she’s probably speaking from experience. I don’t think it comes from a bad place.”

“So, you’re not allowed to work for seven months?” Emma asks in disbelief.

“Not necessarily,” she answers. “They took me off one gig and are offering to give me another. K-Plus is expanding into maternity wear this spring, and they need models for the new maternity line. So, when I really start showing, I’m going to have a gig until I give birth! I’m totally okay with that. It’s not that different from what I’ve been doing, and it’s a job! I guess I still technically work with K-Plus. I’m just on a temporary hiatus from anything intense.”

“Who knew getting pregnant couldgetyou work!” Emma says happily. “That’s so great, girl. I’m so happy for you!”

The girls hug. Jillian looks at me while they hug, her green eyes staring into my soul.

“So, you’ve got a couple of months off,” says Emma. “What’re you going to do first? Do you want to go out and celebrate?”

“As long as it doesn’t involve drinking,” I interject. “You know, because of well, you know.”

I feel like a stuttering buffoon, unable to form any coherent sentences of any kind.

“Mason, how are you?” Jillian asks.

“Doing well, thanks.”

“You mind if I ask why you’re here?” she asks.

“I really wanted to talk to you,” I answer. “I know I could’ve called or texted, but I thought it would be better to speak in person.”

Jillian and I both look over at Emma, trying to silently communicate our wish for privacy. She doesn’t get the hint right away, but when she does, she lifts her eyebrows and goes back into the K-Plus building.

I clear my throat, licking my dry lips and hoping I won’t sound foolish.

“I wanted to say—I miss you. I don’t like us not talking.”

“Me either,” says Jillian.

“I don’t know what I said or did to upset you back at your place, but I would take it back, whatever it is,” I continue. “I’m sorry, and I don’t want you mad or upset with me anymore. I liked where things were going with us. I want to be there with you like I said I would be. That’s how I’m feeling. I don’t know about you.”

“I’m an emotional fucking rollercoaster every goddamn day,” she says, laughing. “That’s how I’m feeling. I’m a mess. I already want this child out of me so I can go on living my life the way I wanted. But I’m ready to have this baby, I think. I do still freak out on occasion, but I’m not the disaster I was when I first found out I was pregnant.”