Page 65 of Hating the Boss

“You’re in loooove!” said Brittany, doing a little happy dance.

“Let’s not get carried away.” I rolled my eyes, even though there was a small part of me that might agree with her. If I wasn’t already, I was on my way to be.

“Jess…” I said hesitantly. “What are you thinking?”

I winced slightly as I waited for her to say something. My sister had been protective of me since my ex. I couldn’t imagine she would be okay with this.

“I think…” She paused for a moment that felt like it lasted an entire year, before smiling at me. “I think it’s great. Really great.”

“What?” I choked.

“You have seemed happier since you took the job. And all those late nights make sense now.” She wiggled her brows, making me laugh.

“You’re seriously okay with it?”

“Why not?” She shrugged. “I want you to be happy, Sarah. I want you to live your life! You’ve given up so much to take care of me. Your dreams. Your time. Your life. It’s about time you do something for yourself.”

I felt my eyes begin to well with tears as I looked at my sister. She reached for my hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze, as if sensing my disbelief. Brittany wrapped her arms around me then, and I felt like everything was falling into place.

Maybe I really could have my happy ending.

The next morning, I woke up feeling exhausted, even after a full night’s sleep. I sat up in bed groggily, feeling like my head was foggy. It felt like a hangover, but I hadn’t had a drink. As I peeled the covers off me, I suddenly felt nausea creeping up from my stomach to my throat. I made a run for the bathroom and threw myself over the toilet, just before my stomach emptied out into the bowl.

“Gross,” I muttered to myself as I wiped my mouth with my forearm.

The gala was tonight. I couldn’t be sick, not when Brad had invited me for what could be our second official date. Tonight could possibly be the night where he might tell me this thing between us was real. I didn’t want to miss that moment, or any moment with him for that matter. I would just have to power through whatever this stomach bug was.

Or was it something else?

A sudden thought dawned on me. I couldn’t remember when my last period was.

Had I missed it?

Dread swirled through me, settling in the pit of my stomach.

I left the apartment in the oversized t-shirt and bike shorts I had slept in, slipping past Jessica’s closed door unnoticed. I speed-walked down the block to the corner market where I searched the shelves for a pregnancy test. It didn’t feel real. It couldn’t be real. I shakily picked up a box that contained two tests and quickly paid the store clerk in cash, not wanting to stay any longer by hassling with a credit card. I left before he could count the change.

I just needed to get back to the apartment and confirm that this was a stomach bug. There was no way I was pregnant.

But back up in my bathroom, the word pregnant read on the screen of both tests, confirming my worst fears. I sat on the cool tile floor and leaned back against the tub, as the tears began to fall. Just as I felt like my life was coming together, it had just been turned upside down.

I had to tell Brad. But it would have to wait until after the gala. I knew now, one way or another, I would have answers as to what we were and where we were headed now that there might be a baby involved.

That was the only silver lining to the surprising situation I found myself in.

Chapter 26 Brad

My town car drove toward The Plaza Hotel, the white stone of the building cast in a golden glow from the lights that bordered it. I could already see the flashing lights of cameras through the black-out window of the backseat of my town car. I frowned slightly, not particularly excited about plastering on a smile for press and paparazzi who often tried to find dirt on me. But it was a part of the deal.

I sighed and leaned my head against the back of the seat, wishing Sarah were here. She would at least make this part more fun, if not bearable. But she had texted me earlier saying she would meet me here. I had planned on picking her up in a limo, complete with a corsage in hand and a bottle of champagne chilling, so this had spoiled that plan. I didn’t dwell on it though, as long as she was on my arm the rest of the night.

I did insist that she accept the limo I would send to retrieve her, and she accepted, saying there was no way she would risk her gown on the subway. It had made me laugh. She was unlike most of the Manhattan socialites, who would never set foot on public transport.

The car came to a slow stop at the entrance of the hotel.

“We’re here, sir,” said my driver from the front seat.

I nodded, signaling I was ready to get out and face the music. He exited the car and rounded to my door, pulling it open. The cameras pointed in my direction and the flashes began their marathon of blinding me. I blinked a few times before stepping out of the car and making my way toward the stairs covered in red carpet.