I needed to tell my mom. And I really,reallyneeded to tell Beckett. My heart sank. I should’ve told him this morning when I was with him.
At nine o’clock, I sat down on my couch, hopping on the video conference with Josh. It was just the two of us today. I brought him up to speed on my current projects and also shared some ideas I wanted to pitch to previous clients. Midway through the conversation, I realized I’d have to tell him I was pregnant at some point. Not yet, of course. I’d wait until I was sure everything was okay.
Toward the end of the call, he cleared his throat. “I might beoverstepping my boundaries here,” Josh said, frowning slightly and lacing his fingers together in front of him, “but you and Beckett LeBlanc seemed very cozy yesterday.”
“We’re dating.” There was no need to sugarcoat us.
“Yes, it did look like that. How long has this been going on?”
“Josh, that shouldn’t matter. It’s my private life.”
“I’m fully aware of that.” He held up his hand in self-defense. “But this is a client of ours.”
“I realize that.”
“And while I have no right to tell you what to do in your personal life…”
“Yes?” I thought I’d see where he was going with this, because I was about to get pissed.
“We do have that no dating policy, but it’s never enforced.”
“I’m aware of that. But why do you consider this a problem, Josh?”
My tone was serious. Not cutting, but serious. I wasn’t going to let him strongarm me into whatever he was thinking.
Josh narrowed his eyes. He wasn’t used to me being confrontational. Not that that was my intent; I simply wanted him to know that I was standing firm on this.
“It’s not a problem, Piper. As long as it doesn’t interfere with your work.”
“Of course it won’t. It hasn’t up until now and won’t going forward.” I was indignant.
“Right. Because that would be an issue,” he emphasized.
“What are you saying, Josh?”
“That I hope you can separate the personal from the professional.”
“Of course I can.” I was getting more and more irritated as this went on.
He seemed uncomfortable, then sat up straighter, looking stern. “I’ll be frank, Piper. I don’t like this.”
“I don’t know what to say, Josh. I’m sorry you feel that way.”
“Okay, well, that’s all, then.”
I didn’t like his attitude. Which made me wonder, how would he react to my pregnancy?
But then I started to toy with another idea. To hell with Josh. I could open my own company, and I would rock it. Yes, I would.
Neither of us said anything for a bit, and then Josh ended the call with “All right, keep up the good work, and be careful.”
I almost groaned but left it as it was. I had more important things on my mind—namely my baby and Beckett. After we disconnected, I noticed I’d gotten a message.
Beckett: Are you okay? You seemed a bit off this morning.
Then another.
Beckett: Sorry I couldn’t drive you home. I’ll make it up to you later ;)
