Instantly, my head filled with heat and noise.
Savannah,
I’m so glad to hear from Max that the twelve-week appointment went well, and that everything looks good with the baby. The most important thing all of us want is a healthy child.
I really don’t appreciate being told not to come to the appointment, though. I made it very clear that I wanted to be there, and still you cut me out. You know I have a vested interest in this child too, since Max and I are together, and I will be the one to help support him as he becomes a father. I can only think that you are deliberately trying to hurt me, even after everything I’ve done for you.
I really hope this is not about you wanting to be alone with Max. Max is where he belongs—withme.I hope you’re not holding out hope for anything to happen between the two of you again. I’m warning you—I love Max, and I won’t letanythingcome between us. Not you, or even that child.
Be sure to let me know when the next appointment is. Max and I will see you again soon.
~Madison
Adrenaline coursed through my body, turning my world red.What the hell?!
I closed my eyes, muffled a scream with my clenched fist, then covered my face with my hands.So much for hoping she wouldn’t be upset about not coming to the appointment. So much for thinking I could set boundaries, and they would be respected.
I eyed the bear and balloons again. I could feel the rage pulsing in my veins. It wasn’t a sweet gift. No. She had sucked me in with another over-the-top, generous display that makes her look like a kind and understanding friend and me look like a bitch for not wanting it.Talk about passive fucking aggressive!I crumpled up the card and tossed it into the trash can by my desk.
Then a terrible thought sliced through me like a knife. What if it wasn’t just passive aggressive? What if it was revenge?
Had she somehow known what a gift like this, on today of all days, could cost me?
No. No way. It has to be an unfortunate coincidence.
Right?
I spent that weekend at Mom’s house, licking my wounds over not getting the promotion. By the drive home Sunday night, Ifelt better. Mom’s wise words, comfort food, and unending love always had that effect.One day I’ll do the same for my baby, I promised myself.
As I entered my apartment, I decided to put my worries about work and Madison aside, and focus on things I could control.
Just because I didn’t get account manager this time doesn’t mean I won’t sometime soon. We’re always taking on new clients.I’d imagined approaching Meredith about her decision, but now it seemed like a better idea not to mention it. Hopefully, if she saw that I could stay committed and professional—and not whine or complain—it would be even more points in my favor for the future.
I had debated back and forth countless times over the weekend about whether to tell Max about Madison’s angry—and somewhat threatening?—letter. But as I lit my favorite vanilla candle and put the kettle on for tea, I decided to let things lie. She was angry because she felt hurt.Jealous, Max had said—and her note seemed to confirm that. Maybe she just needed time to calm down, and a little space would do us all better.
Instead, as I unpacked the overnight bag I’d brought to Mom’s, I turned my thoughts toward happier ones. Ellie had reminded me about our friend Amber’s bachelorette party the following weekend. It had been ages since I’d had a girls’ night out, and I was ready to blow off some steam. I couldn’t party as hard as the rest of them, but I could still dance and have a good time.
The night of the bachelorette party, I donned the stretchy black dress I’d bought at the maternity boutique and spent an hour on my hair and makeup. It had been a while since I’d felt truly cute, and as I surveyed the results in the mirror, I had to admit I liked what I saw. My hair felt thicker and shinier. It had already grown past my shoulders, and had a slight wave to it, which the book said I owed to pregnancy hormones. I turned from side to sidein front of the mirror, noticing how much my chest had gotten bigger too. I smiled at my reflection. Was this the pregnancy glow everyone talked about?
Amber had decided on a club called the High Note, her favorite spot for live music, drinks, and dancing. When the girls saw me, they burst into screams, and after a flurry of hugs, I headed to the bar to order myself a drink.
What I loved most about the High Note was that, in addition to a fully stocked bar, they also had an impressive menu of mocktails, served in fancy glasses that looked just like the real thing. I felt no different than anyone else. The band sounded amazing, so once I had my beverage in hand, I pulled Ellie onto the dance floor with me.
While we were dancing, I felt someone’s hands slide around my waist from behind, and a man’s hot breath in my ear as he whispered, “Well, hello there.”
I bolted around to face a man I’d never seen before, wearing a brown jacket over a button-down shirt and dark jeans with a belt. He leered at me through wire-rimmed glasses and gave me a slimy smile.
“Who are you?”
“It’s me—Rob.” Still smiling, he held out his arms and moved toward me again.
I backed away further. “What are you doing?”
He frowned. “What? What’s wrong?”
Ellie came over and put her arm around me protectively.
“What’s wrong is that you’re touching me, and I have no idea who the hell you are,” I said, speaking loudly so he could hear me over the music.
