50
BEATRICE
As the next few days passed, my morning sickness got a little better, and I started going to work at lunchtime despite Everett’s insistence that I stay home.
As sweet as it is that he wants me to relax and take care of myself, and as much as I enjoy hanging out with him, I can’t leave Sienna running the salon. The last few months have been stressful with my financial situation and then discovering my pregnancy, but there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t love my job and the business I’ve created. My salon is my happy place, and I miss it when I’m away too long.
“I still can’t believe this is all happening,” Sienna says. I might have been living with Everett a few days now, but it seems that my best friend is having about as hard a time getting her head around it all as I am.
“Tell me about it,” I mutter as I tidy up after my last client of the day.
Sienna did an amazing job of shifting my clients around, and without me knowing, she’s also moved all my early morning clients for the next few weeks as well, just in case. It means I’m finishing a little later than usual, but it’ll all be worth it.
“All those interviews are confirmed for next week,” she tells me.
My stomach knots as I contemplate a time when I’m not going to be here. We decided a few days ago that it was better to get the upcoming vacancy out now, because once our relationship is released to the world, we may attract people we don’t want. I hate to look at it with such jaded thoughts, but it’s my reality now. At least, it will be for the foreseeable future.
I have no idea how long Everett and I will be “together,” but it’s going to be enough time to change my life.
I just pray that it’s all going to be worth it.
“Perfect. Thank you so much for organizing everything.”
“You don’t need to thank me, Bea. It’s my job.”
I know it is, but I’m sure I’ll forever think I’m putting her out by relying on her so much. I want to do everything, but I can’t. I’ve always struggled with delegation, and it’s going to get a whole lot more challenging when I’m at a distance.
“I know, I know,” I mutter.
“Anyway, why are you still here? Your last client left over an hour ago.”
“I know, I just…”
“I hope you’re not avoiding that hot-ass man waiting for you at home,” she teases.
My teeth clench.
“Oh? Do tell,” she begs, closing the laptop she was working on and giving me her whole attention.
“Si,” I warn, but all she does is raise an eyebrow.
“Ugh, fine. We agreed to no benefits.”
“What?” She balks. “Why? Why on God’s green earth would you ever agree to live with, to be in a relationship with, one of the world's hottest men and agree to ignore the benefits?”
I throw my hands up. “Because this is already complicated enough.”
“Bea,” she sighs.
“Don’t give me that look,” I hiss.
“What look?” she asks innocently.
I point my finger at her face and circle it. “That…that sympathetic, sad look. I know what I’m doing.”
“Oh really?” she quips.
“Fine—no. I have no idea what I’m doing. But spending my nights fucking Everett seems like a really bad idea. What if I get used to it? I can’t do that to myself, Si. I just can’t.”
