by Flite, Nora
“She's lying. I don't think I've said anything to her since your first day working here.”
“But she was here yesterday. For all I know, she's been here a ton. Why would she bother lying?”
I stepped towards her—she backed up. “To upset you, Nell. She's threatened by you, and rightfully so.”
She screwed up her face. “Stop it! Don't try to make this go away with flattery, I'm not that shallow!”
“Why the hell is it so hard for you to trust me?” I groaned, fingers clenching into painfully tight fists. “I can't compliment you without you thinking I'm—I don't know, fucking with you! I'm not a monster, I'm not tricking you.”
We stood there, facing off like enemies and not the soon-to-be parents we were. The indent in the base of her throat fluttered. Her lips were bloodless from how fiercely she was biting down.
How had we gotten here?
One of the dogs whimpered. The sound plucked at my heart, and Nell reacted even more obviously. Shaking herself, she stared at Cujo where he was backed into the kitchen corner with his friend. Their eyes were wide, black; worried.
Nell's hands came up to her face. Covering her eyes, she slumped in place. I thought she might collapse. I was ready to grab her when she dropped her arms, watching me with so much regret she could have been a different person. “I'm so sorry. Bishop, it's not your fault. You didn't do this to me—you didn't hurt me. That was all my ex's handiwork.”
My eyebrows scrunched up. “Your ex? What did he do to you?”
“Nothing. Everything. I want to trust you, but I'm not sure I even know how anymore.” Clasping her hands against her chest, she spoke around a bitter smile. “I'm full of broken, shattered things that want to destroy everything around them. My ex always told me I was selfish.” In wonderment, she stared up at me. “You were the first person to ever say I was kind.”
Pain drove through me like a truck that had lost control. I grabbed her shoulders, her hair, just holding her desperately because I worried she'd fall apart and I'd never have a chance to put her back together. “He was wrong about you.”
“I know,” she laughed, empty of humor. Clutching my hand, she pushed it to her cheek. Warm, wet tears soaked my skin. “You'd think learning it wasn't anything you did that made your ex cheat on you would help your sanity. But no. It just made me hate myself for being blind for so long.”
Fueled by new hatred for a man I'd never met, I shut my eyes and breathed through my nose. “If I could kick his ass, right now, I'd drop everything and go do it.”
That time, her laugh was real. It shook through her body, I felt it move through my hands to my soul. “Thanks. That's sweet.”
“Listen... I know why you were so afraid to believe in me now, but if you'll let me, I want to show you that some people in this world aren't so awful. Not everyone cheats.” My thumb rubbed over her cheek; it shifted under the angle of her growing smile. “I would never do that because I...”
The words stopped on my tongue. It didn't matter; Nell knew what I'd almost said. Summoning my confidence, I parted my lips, but she put her hand over my mouth to quiet me. “Don't say it, not unless you mean it. I can't do fake love. You have to take responsibility for what you say.”
Prying her arms away, I kissed her. She opened for me like a flower in Spring, her body going soft, tension fading away. “I'll never lie to you. I'll never risk your heart. I love you, as crazy as it might seem, and I'm not going to marry some other woman—not even if my mother prefers it.”
Nell's eyes were full of newborn stars. “You really mean it?”
Pressing my lips on hers, I mumbled, “I do.” My tongue sought out the roof of her mouth, stroking quickly. “I really, truly mean it. I love you, Nellie Pinewood. And I love this baby.”
She trapped my hand on her belly, not moving me away. “I love you, too. But... this baby... we need to wait to tell anyone else. There's a chance it won't make it. It's so early, that stuff happens, you know? So much can go wrong.”
“Nothing will go wrong,” I said severely.
Nell hesitated in the wake of my belief. “Okay. Alright. We should still wait until we're sure.”
Nodding, I scooped her into my arms. “Deal.”
“Hey—what are you doing?”
“You have to walk the dogs, but you need to take it easy. I'm helping.”
“This isn't helping!” she gasped when I threw her over my shoulder.
I crouched, grabbing the leashes, whistling for the dogs. “Sure it is. You walk them, I walk you, and we all win.”
She's having my child.
I'd definitely won.
- Chapter Eleven -
Nellie
O ur fingers were looped together, strong enough to hang us from the top of a mountain. I wanted to believe we couldn't be pulled apart—that we were inseparable in the face of simple things like family politics.
I had faith in Bishop... in us.
That didn't mean I wasn't trembling as we stood in front of his mother.
“Mom,” Bishop began, giving my fingers a squeeze. “We have something to talk to you about.”
She was bent over a notebook on the back patio, her eyes flicking up once—pointedly—to take in my obviously round stomach. Four months was a long time in the world of pregnancy. I'd ridden it out with Bishop at my side, our fears and joy mingling before and after every doctor visit. I always, always thought something was terribly wrong. Most of the time it was just heartburn. Or gas.
He'd endured each of my paranoid phone calls with loving patience.
One night, he came by with a DVD copy of Jaws and a pint of Chunky Monkey ice cream. It was the first time he'd visited me at my apartment.
Gigi found us sleeping on the couch the next morning. She'd given me a look, then started dropping hypotheticals like, “If you had a kid, who would the godmother be?” and “Is purple and gold an okay color scheme for a baby shower?” I didn't mind her not so subtle hints, because after that, she let Bishop sleep over any night I wanted him to.
“Mom,” he said again. That time she didn't look up.
“Miss Callehurst... please, you know what's going on. Let's talk about it.”
“Talk about what?” she muttered, texting someone on her phone, then making a note in her book. “I'm in the middle of arranging a social event, so if you'd both give me some space.”
I blinked. “Social event?”
Her eyes rolled up to mine, her voice scathing. “A party, dear.”
Bishop grabbed the top of the long patio couch. “Enough. No more pointless parties or arranged setups. I'm having a baby with Nell, this is happening.”
My heart was on the verge of bursting. But his mom didn't react; she just lifted the phone, tucking it to her ear and answering it on the second ring. “Hello? Ah, yes, bring the flowers around back. You can set them in the kitchen for now until the coordinator arrives.”
Blown away by her attitude, I couldn't keep my voice from rising. “Are you listening? I'm pregnant with your grandchild!”
There—she stared at me. In a smooth motion she ended the call, placing her phone gently on the outdoor cocktail table. “For all I know you're just getting fat.”
“How could you...” Bishop started. She stood quickly, brushing around us and heading back inside. “Stop being so impossible!” he snapped.
Standing inside the French doors, she sent a cutting look Bishop's way, then rested it on me. Her eyes were gray like his, but nowhere near as warm. “Here's what's going to happen. Tonight, my son will attend this party. He'll smile and entertain the guests, and when Iris arrives, he will take her aside and tell her he plans to marry her.”
“That's not happening,” I said flatly.
Bishop lifted his head high. “Why are you fighting this? You and dad wanted an heir, I'm giving you one.”
“Your father will never let you marry this woman!” she scoffed, hands clutching at her shawl. “She's the damn dog walker . We hired
her to fill in for your laziness, not so you could knock her up! Don't embarrass this family any more than you already have.”
I wished I had some clever comeback. I looked on as the woman who fought tooth and nail against my happiness turned her back and walked away.
“She hates me. Your mom literally hates me.”
Scratching at his hair, Bishop groaned. “Don't worry about it, she hates a lot of people.”
My feet were killing me; so was my heart. I dropped heavily onto the couch. “If she doesn't accept me, this won't work.”
He slid beside me, pulling me against his firm chest. Bishop was constantly holding my belly and now was no different. “She can scream at the sky but that won't stop the rain.” I squinted at him, he laughed weakly. “What I mean is... even if she puts Iris in my path, I don't have to go to her. This is my baby inside of you, Nell. I'm making you my wife. Let everyone else screech at us as we walk down the aisle.”
That soothed me enough that I relaxed in his arms. The backyard was small, neatly arranged with rose bushes and crawling ivy up the walls. It was late enough that the sun was setting, our viewpoint allowing us to watch the purple hue take over downtown's skyline. “Are you really going to the party?”
“Sure. I wouldn't miss a chance to wear you on my arm.”
My laugh was hollow; I pet his hands over my stomach. “I'll look like a beluga whale that you broke out of Sea World and stuffed into a dress.”
“Did you know I happen to love whales?” Kissing my cheek, he casually rolled his palms upwards, brushing my swollen breasts. I gasped, pushing him away as he chuckled in my ear. “You're beautiful. Radiant.”
“Radiant is code for 'Nothing really nice to compliment about you.'”
“That's definitely not true.” He palmed my belly, tracing over the curves. Bishop's voice was deep and rich as a river full of gold. “In all seriousness, you drive me wild, Nell. You're more woman than ever, and more of you is never a bad thing.”
There was a parade in my chest. I was sure he could feel the hard pattern of my breathing. “Bishop... is there any chance she's right? Could your dad turn me down, take your brother and his baby even if we beat them on the clock?”
“You're worried that I'll lose everything.”
I hadn't wanted to say it, but... “Yeah.” I grabbed his forearms, pulling them around me, locking us together like I expected someone to physically try and pry us apart. “You were willing to marry a stranger, make a baby, to keep your family happy. If you don't get the ending you wanted it'll be tragic.”
“Are you joking?” Shifting me so that we were facing each other, he nipped my bottom lip. His kiss was fierce—it went on long enough that the sun was nearly gone when he finally stopped. “Nell, you're the ending I want. If I lose all my wealth, my power, but I get to keep you... keep this...” He stroked his hand over my swollen belly. “Then I've come out further ahead than I could have ever hoped for.”
Was it possible to fall deeper in love than I already had?
“Now come on,” he said, smiling slyly. “We've got a party to get ready for.”
- Chapter Twelve -
Nellie
I 'd been to his home countless times, but tonight, I didn't recognize it.
Copper streamers, ice shaped like swans, crystals lighting up every single wall... Miss Callehurst had gone all out. She'd hired a valet to park the guests' cars, but I'd rolled up with Bishop, and one look at him and the valet had waved him through to park wherever he felt like it. He did live here, after all.
But now, as we stood in the foyer of a place that should have felt familiar, I saw I was in a different world. Who were all these people? How had Miss Callehurst put something this grand together so quickly?
“I feel massively out of place,” I whispered.
Bishop gripped my arm in the crook of his. “You're with me. You belong here more than anyone else.”
“Alright, but I don't think they feel that way.” I'd caught two or three salty glares from the women strutting around. They didn't like seeing me next to Bishop—and I suspected they liked my rounded belly even less.
Some people might assume I was gaining weight, but scandal never chases after the tame rumor. These strangers saw me as the pregnant nobody who threatened their chance at marrying upwards.
I hadn't meant to wear something that revealed my pregnancy, but Bishop had scoffed at every outfit I'd produced from my closet. “Not good enough,” he'd said. Then Gigi had swirled into my bedroom, clutching a red dress that would put most of my “assets” on display.
Bishop refused to let me try on anything else after that.
Both my friend and lover had assured me I looked good. I'd almost felt that way until I saw the other women. Cupping my stomach nervously, I followed Bishop deeper into his house. Most of the party was taking place in a large dining area. The furniture had been removed, replaced by long tables of tiny cakes and trays of golden champagne.
“Let me get you something,” he said, pulling us up along the display of desserts.
“It's not like chocolate will make me feel more at ease.”
Lifting an eyebrow, he waved a mini vanilla and fudge pie under my nose. “So you don't want this?”
Frowning, I snatched it away from him as he grinned knowingly. “Of course I want it. Shush.” Nibbling the snack, I surveyed the busy crowd. Whenever I glanced at someone, they'd turn away, making their spying very obvious. “Why are we here again?” I sighed.
“To show that we don't need to hide.” Adjusting his tie, he promptly scooped an arm around my hip, nodding at a pair of men in matching white suits. “And to show you off.”
“You said that earlier. I don't know if I'm feeling like I'm worth being 'shown' in public at all.” I'd said it with a smile, but Bishop's hard stare stopped me in my tracks, my fingertip poised between my lips to get the last bit of chocolate.
Bending down, he kissed me around my finger. His tongue slid side to side, as if he was trying to get a taste of the dessert before it was gone. Heat flashed in his eyes. “You're worth the world to me, Nell. You're definitely worth having on my arm at a party like this. Everyone can see how much we're in love... and how wonderful your pregnancy is going.”
Red as a beet, I wondered how many people were staring at us. But then I didn't care—what was there to be ashamed about? He was right; let the world see how happy we were together.
Nothing can ruin this moment, I thought.
And then I saw Corriane.
He saw me, too, and on long legs he came our way. He was dressed in a pastel blue vest over a black shirt, every one of his edges crisp and hard. His hands were deep in his pockets; I imagined him hiding a knife there. Fuck, what was he going to do to me?
“Nellie!” he shouted, loud enough for the room to hear him. If they hadn't been staring before, they were now.
Drawing myself up, I faced Corriane. The last time I'd seen him he'd been sprawled on a restaurant floor, furious with me and Bishop. Would he sneer at me? Mock me while everyone looked on?
I prepared myself for what to say in return. But then he wrapped his arms around me, hugging me like we were old friends.
Baffled, I looked at Bishop over his shoulder. The prince shrugged, though I could see the veins in the backs of his hands throbbing; he'd been ready to take Corriane down if he started trouble.
Not entirely sure he wasn't starting something, I pulled out of the hug. “Hi?” I asked stupidly.
His grin was brighter than the chandeliers above us. He gripped my upper arms, gazing down at my belly. “Look at you! You're stunning, my goodness. Bishop, how can you let her walk in these heels? Tsk!”
Bishop and I shared a look. “Corriane,” he said, “It's nice to see you smiling. I didn't expect you to be here, honestly.”
“Because of our little fiasco?” Chuckling, he let me go and reached into his pocket. There was no weapon, just his phone. He scrolled through it as he spoke. “I should
apologize for that night. I acted like a real jackass.”
No argument there, I thought with a tiny smile.
Turning the phone so I could see it, he showed me a photo of a beautiful woman. She was smiling at the camera. In her hand was a wineglass, the other sat half full on the table in front of her. “Is that your fiancée?” I asked, blinking.
“An angel, yes?” Grinning ear to ear, he showed the picture to Bishop. “The gift from your mother. She gave us wine glasses inscribed with the day Lavon and I had our first date. I remember she'd told me how she hated wine. I was determined to change that, so I took her to my favorite winery. It was a wonderful time.” He paused, then added, “Good memory, your mother.”
“She does have that,” Bishop said softly. He was unsure what was going on; always looking for danger. I appreciated that, but I didn't think Corriane was tricking us somehow. He looked... happy. Especially when he stared at the photo of his fiancée.
Shaking himself back to the present, he nodded at me. “You were right, you know. It shouldn't have taken something as simple as some wine glasses to remind me, and yet... well.” He shrugged helplessly. “Lavon is my jewel. I love her, and if I'd gone to a strip club that night, I'd have ruined everything. Thank you both for stopping me.”
If I doubted his confession, I couldn't doubt the raw regret in his frown. Corriane had gone from thinking I was trash to... respecting me. I clasped his hands with all the affection I had in me. “It's nothing. Anytime you need me to chuck a box at you, I'll be there.”
He laughed hard, grabbing Bishop to give him a playful shake. “See? Such fire! Your baby will be a wild thing, be ready for it.”
“I will be,” Bishop said. The muscles in his neck had finally relaxed.
Corriane walked off, and as he did, I took the opportunity to scan the crowd again. Some people still scowled, but not all of them. There was wonderment in some faces—interest. Corriane was a powerful emissary, his approval of our relationship was a signal flare to everyone else that we weren't joking around.
