The temporary assistant had started two days ago when I'd finally taken Nate's mother's advice and stepped back from work for a while.
The morning sickness had become too severe to manage, and the stress of being at the hospital where everyone whispered about us had made everything worse.
Nate had insisted I take medical leave, and I'd agreed reluctantly.
I knew people would talk about us, but it was going to happen sooner or later.
My reservations about losing my career advancement still gnawed at me, but my initial reluctance to step back had been erased when Nate urged me to move in with him temporarily.
I got to see him more now, and it was all private time. No need to fake being professional when you slept in the same bed.
"Are you sure you'll be alright today?" He stood and grabbed his tie from the dresser. "I can cancel my afternoon meetings if you need me home."
"I'm fine. I need to do some Christmas shopping, anyway." I sat up, pulling the sheet around myself. "My family expects gifts, even if I can't make it home for the holidays."
He frowned slightly and his head cocked to the side. "I'm sorry you're missing Thanksgiving with them."
"It's better this way. I'm not ready to explain everything yet." I forced a smile. "Besides, your mother invited us to dinner. That should be interesting."
"That's one word for it." He finished with his tie and leaned down to kiss my forehead. "Call me if you need anything. I'll have my phone on between meetings."
"I will. Now go save lives." I smacked his butt as he started buckling his belt and tucking his shirt in while simultaneously jamming his feet into his shoes.
I heard the front door close a few minutes later, but I lay in bed for another twenty minutes, letting the nausea settle before attempting to get up.
The new medication helped, but mornings were still rough.
By the time I showered and dressed, it was nearly nine thirty.
I chose loose clothing on purpose to hide the tiny little bulge I knew was the baby and not just extra weight.
I wasn't showing yet, but my regular clothes were getting tight around the middle.
I pulled my hair into a ponytail and grabbed my coat and purse.
Nate would've let me borrow his car, but it was just as easy to Uber anywhere I wanted to go, and it meant not having to find parking.
So when I got to the shops downtown, I tipped the man well and decided which store to choose first.
I walked into the first shop, a home goods store that sold candles and decorative items my mother would appreciate.
The woman behind the counter looked up when I entered, and I saw recognition flash across her face.
She didn't say anything, but she watched me as I browsed the shelves.
I chose three candles and a decorative silver tray, bringing them to the counter.
The woman rang them up without speaking to me at all, but I could tell by the thin press of her lips that she knew who I was and the gossip had made its way here.
"Thank you," I mumbled as she handed me my change and the bag, and her head bobbled on her neck in an accusatory manner.
The next shop was better.
No one paid attention to me as I browsed scarves and picked one in deep burgundy for my mother.
But as I walked back onto the street, I noticed people staring.
Two women standing outside a coffee shop stopped their conversation to watch me pass.
