–Huxley: No need. My assistant will send details.
Viv calls again, and I turn my phone off. Nothing’s that urgent, and work calls are routed to the black phone on my desk anyway. Plus, she used up a year’s worth of my patience when she slept with Peter.
At noon, I’m at Tomate. The place is already packed, but Adam managed to score a booth. Probably flashed his killer smile—people can’t say no to that boyish grin.
He’s in a khaki-colored suit a shade darker than his hair. Probably not going to the courthouse. He prefers a black suit for that. Claims it makes him look older and more serious. The gentle slope of his jaw and shining light-green eyes knock ten years off his true age. Most think he’s “barely a kid” and too unseasoned. But if you start talking to him, it doesn’t take long to realize he’s brilliant.
“Hey,” I say, giving him a hug. “Long time no see.”
He gives me a good squeeze back. “Too much work. I swear, we live to work.”
I laugh and take a seat opposite him. “Our bosses don’t pay us to sit in the office and do nothing. And even if they did, I wouldn’t want to. I’m making a meaningful impact in people’s lives.”
The foundation has built and operated schools in parts of the world where getting an education is generally a privilege reserved for the wealthy. It gives financial and logistical support to families with children receiving cancer treatment. Tens of thousands of battered women and children come to the shelters the foundation funds to be safe. Every Thanksgiving and Christmas, hundreds of thousands of turkeys and presents are handed out, so poverty won’t be the reason a family is deprived of the holidays. The minute details of making all this become a reality aren’t always fun, but the sense of pride and seeing what I can to do to help others make it all worth it in the end.
I’m blessed to have a job that not only gives me money but makes me feel fulfilled.
“So am I by making sure my clients’ asses are fully covered,” Adam jokes. “Think how I’m freeing up the courts, saving tax dollars.”
“When your lucky numbers pan out, you’ll be able to retire and be the guy who hires lawyers to CYA,” I respond dreamily. He likes to buy exactly one lottery ticket every Sunday. Says he wants to test his luck, and it’s the only hobby he can indulge in, since he never has much time.
I’m certain what little downtime he has, he wants to spend with his boyfriend. I met him last year at a deli. That poor man was harassed by an ex who refused to accept that the relationship was over, and Adam told the abuser to stay away from his boyfriend, all possessive and protective.
When the waiter comes by, I ask for a cheese pizza and ginger ale—they’re about the only things I can stomach right now. Adam orders the meat special and a Coke and gives me a look. “What’s with the plain cheese pizza?”
“Just craving it today. Change is good.” And I need a good, smooth opening to tell him about the baby. Adam will be shocked, but I hope he’ll support me. I feel guilty that I’ve been too stunned and overwhelmed to fully appreciate the life in my womb since I saw those two lines on the pregnancy tests. This baby’s conception might’ve been accidental, but my love for it isn’t.
“By the way…” Adam clears his throat and seems to grind to a conversational halt.
“What?”
“Okay, so, uh… Is it true you’re getting married?”
“Where did you hear that?”
“Andreas mentioned it last week during a break. Said his granddaughter was engaged, and I thought he meant Viv, but then he said it was you.”
“Oh. Well…yeah. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.” I didn’t say anything to Adam before because it felt weird to lie to my best friend after I agreed to a fake engagement with Huxley. Then since the dinner, I’ve been processing it. To be honest, I thoughtHuxley would’ve found a way to call it off by now. He said he didn’t want to disappoint Emma, but he doesn’t strike me as the type to go along with something that isn’t part of his plan.
Not only that, he doesn’t believe the baby is his. I’ll never forget that expression of skepticism on his face. At least once the paternity test is done, he won’t be able to hold that against me or the baby. Still, my heart is heavy because paternity alone won’t be enough to make him care for the child. Just look at Nelson.
I sigh. The entire arrangement between me and Huxley has turned into a complete mess. I should’ve given it more thought before agreeing to it. Not only did we create a baby who might be hated by its father, but I’m going to have to lie to Adam. He might feel awkward, since my situation involves all his bosses in some way or other.
Feeling like a shitty friend, I place my left hand on the table so he can see it. “I—”
Adam lets out a shaky breath. “So it’s really true?”
I nod, glancing away from him. “It sort of happened that way.”
“I didn’t even know you were dating anybody after Peter.” His voice cracks with mild rebuke. He’s probably worried that I’m on a rebound I’ll regret.
“I wasn’t. Not really. I mean… I met Huxley a while back. Like two years ago,” I say, glad and relieved I can finally offer some honest answers. “He was the guy who drove me to the ER when Mom collapsed. Then I ran into him again at SportsBrew, the night I realized Peter was cheating on me with Viv, and we just hit it off. The rest is history.” A helpless shrug.Please let this be enough of an explanation…!
Our pizzas and drinks arrive. I nibble on a slice, hoping the inquisition is over. I’d rather talk about something more exciting, like the latest legal brief he’s been working on.
Adam doesn’t touch his food. A sign that he’s upset. His mood starts to affect mine, and my appetite wanes. I put the pizza down.
“That was, like, weeks ago.” Hurt, anxiety and anger twist over his normally friendly face.
