Page 11 of The Baby Twist

“Miss Larson?”

“Yes. I’ve changed my mind, and I’m leaving.”

“Okay. That’s good news. Take care of yourself.”

“Thank you.” I gave him a small smile as I ran as fast as possible out of the place.

I took a cab to Central Park so I could think. As I was walking through, I had to make a stop at the first trash can I saw and throw up. I was sure this wasn’t morning sickness—just nerves. Thank God I’d brought a water bottle with me to sip on. Sitting on a bench, I thought about what I would do. I needed to find a new apartment and a new job ASAP.

Chapter Six

Lucas

I sat behind my desk and tried to figure out what the hell was wrong with the coding. My team had been working on the last half for the past six weeks, and nothing. They couldn’t figure it out either. I was in a multi-million-dollar contract, and our deadline was approaching. The stress I was under was real. I’d barely slept and didn’t have time to think about anything but this project. My father was up my ass about it, and no matter how many times I told him I was working on it, it wasn’t enough. How could this even be possible? I was good, potentially the best, and I couldn’t see where the error was. I only hired the best people, and they couldn’t figure it out either. As much as I wanted my team to start from scratch, I couldn’t ask them. We’d already been working on it for the last six months, and the other work they had suffered because of it. So, I decided to take it on all by myself.

I was in a foul mood when I stepped out of my office and told my secretary, Laurel, that I was leaving for the day and didn’t want to be disturbed at home. At least at my penthouse, there wouldn’t be any distractions, and I could get a head start.

I arrived home at one o’clock and had already put six hours into it. At seven o’clock, the doorman called and told me someone was there to see me.

“Who is it, Russell?” I asked.

“It’s Jenna Larson, sir.”

Jenna? What the hell was she doing here? I asked myself in confusion. I hadn’t seen or spoken to her since our night together. I needed a small break anyway, so I told him to send her up.

I waited at the elevator for her, and when it arrived and the doors opened, she stood there gripping two extra-large suitcases.

“Jenna, what’s going on?” I asked in confusion.

“I need a place to stay temporarily, and you’re my only option,” she spoke as she wheeled her suitcases past me.

“What? What the hell are you talking about? Listen, Jenna. It’s good to see you and everything, but this is a really bad time. I have a lot going?—”

“And so do I!” she snapped at me.

“Okay. Let’s both calm down, and you can tell me what’s happening with you. But I’m on limited time. I’m working on a very special project, and I have to get back to it.”

I walked over to the bar and poured us each a scotch. Her being here and trying to move in was the last damn thing I needed right now.

“Here.” I held the glass out to her.

“No thanks.” She put her hand up, and I gave her a strange look. “I’m pregnant, Lucas. I’m pregnant with your baby.”

I stood there in shock as I felt the color drain from my face, and the glass of scotch I held hit the ground.

“Ha! Same reaction I had.” She grabbed hold of my arm and led me over to the couch. “I know you’re in shock. Just give it some time, and it will wear off. I’ll clean that mess up.”

I swallowed hard as a million little things raced through my mind. She was joking. She had to be. The thing was, she picked the wrong fucking night to pull this shit on me.

“You know what, Jenna? I appreciate a good joke every now and again, but this is not a good time.”

“Joke?” She looked up at me as she wiped up the scotch from the floor. “You think this is a joke? I’m pregnant, Lucas.”

“That’s impossible! I know the condom broke, but you said you were on the pill!” I shouted.

“Yeah. I was on the pill and maybe messed up the daily doses. Who the hell knows!”

“How do I know the baby is really mine? For all I know, you could have slept with other guys right after me.”