“So, I have to pay it?”
“You don’t have to do anything. If he sues you, it’s on him to build a case, though admittedly, the video evidence is damning. It’s possible I could get it thrown out on account that it’s sograiny you can’t really tell who is who, but then they’ll start calling in witnesses.”
“Fuck that. I just want to get this over with.”
“Then I would advise you to pay. But…can you? I know you’re expanding your business, but that often ties up money.”
“I’ll take out a loan.”
“It’s going to be a big loan. Dental work is expensive, and?—”
“My finances are none of your business.”
“I’ll be at mediation?—”
“Do you want me to ask you about Toxic?”
Shit, he really went there.
“No.”
“Then back off,” he warns.
“Understood.”
“I see you signed a big-deal client.”
“I’ve signed a bunch of big deal clients,” I brag, and it’s the truth. After I dug a few clients out of PR hell, others flocked to me when they realized my talent. Not only have I been able to up my rates, but I’ve had to turn potential clients away.
“And the baby?”
I smile because, despite my sorrow, my little droid makes me uncharacteristically optimistic. I’m excited to be a mom, and over the last few months, I’ve been blessed with support from unexpected places.
Dorrine has gone absolutely ham buying things for the baby, and we don’t even know the sex yet. She’s even redoing one of the guesthouses, making it into a playhouse complete with small furniture and a tiny toilet. Not a fake training toilet. A real toilet that’s made for toddlers.
But I’m still going to give Carl shit.
“That depends. How’s your morning sickness?”
“Gone—and don’t you dare tell a soul about it.”
“Well, the baby is still around and kicking.”
“Literally?”
“Yeah, it’s just a flutter, but it’s there.”
“Uncle Carl approves.”
“How are Natasha and Bianca?”
“They’re fine. You need to stop beating yourself over what happened. The only person it hurts is you.”
“Perhaps I deserve it.”
“No, you don’t. I can’t say I understand you, but you’re not the demonic presence people think you are.”
“You only say that because you don’t know me.”
