by Sandi Lynn
Picking up my cell phone, I sent her a text message.
“Where are you?”
“At my doctor’s appointment.”
“Sorry. I forgot. Dinner tonight?”
“I can’t. I have plans.”
“Doing what?”
“I just have plans. Do I question you when you say you have plans?”
“Are you coming back after your appointment?”
“Yes.”
“Come straight to my office.”
She didn’t respond. What plans would she have and with whom? I was pissed off as it was that my father decided to come back to New York, and now I was even more pissed that she turned me down for dinner tonight.
About thirty minutes later, Jenna walked into my office.
“You wanted to see me?”
I narrowed my eye at her because I could tell she was in a mood.
“My father called earlier to let me know he’s coming back to New York and that he’s staying for a while.”
“Shit. Why is he doing that? And for how long?”
“I have no idea. Has he been in contact with you since he left?”
“No. I haven’t heard a word from him.”
“I guess we’ll just have to see how things go when he gets here. That’s all. I’m sure you have work to catch up on since you were gone.”
“Yeah, I do.” She turned and headed towards the door. “By the way, my doctor’s appointment went fine in case you’re wondering,” she spoke with a serious attitude.
“Jenna—”
She walked out and shut the door. Leaning back in my chair, I let out a sigh.
Jenna
“He wanted to go to ‘dinner’ and that also meant sex afterwards. As much as I wanted sex, I wanted to record my podcast more. Plus, he pissed me off by not having time to go to my doctor’s appointment with me when I knew for a fact he didn’t have any meetings scheduled. His promise to be there for me had faltered. But when said ‘he’d always be there for me’ what exactly did he mean? Perhaps it was my fault for not asking him to break that statement down detail by detail. Maybe doctor’s appointments weren’t included in the ‘I’ll always be there for you’ statement. But dammit, is it too much to ask to go to a damn appointment? He’d already missed the ultrasound appointment when he was out in the world finding himself. These rollercoaster rides of emotions and hormones is exhausting. I’m a very strong and independent woman, but sometimes even the strongest have moments when they feel depleted, and that’s okay. It doesn’t make you weak or change who you are as a person. It only makes you human. We may think we’re alone in our pregnancy, but we’re really not. We have this beautiful baby growing inside that is with us 24/7. Talk to your baby. Tell him or her good morning when you wake up and tell him or her goodnight before you go to sleep. But most importantly, have little chats throughout the day. So you see, we’re not alone, and when we try to put our happiness into the hands of others either out of insecurity or fear, we are the only ones who suffer and fall victim to the pain when things don’t turn out exactly how we want them to or expect they would. It’s funny if you really think about it. The moment a woman decides to go through with an unplanned pregnancy, it gives the father a free pass to bolt. Remember, they aren’t men. They’re scared little boys who themselves have to grow up first, regardless of their age. One child to raise is enough. And as scary and tough as it sounds, just remember, we women were made to do this, and we should feel honored and proud to have been given such a task.”
I stopped the recording and uploaded the file. I hadn’t checked my first podcast stats since early afternoon before my doctor’s appointment, so I decided to check again before I shut my laptop down for the night. I had a total of two thousand fifty downloads and over a thousand comments.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Closing the door to the second bedroom where I had my podcast equipment set up, I looked out the peephole and saw it was Lucas.
“Hey.” I opened the door.
“Hey. Can we talk?”
“Sure. Come on in. Drink?” I asked him as I headed to the kitchen.
“Thanks, but no. I’m good.”
“Okay. What’s up?” I asked as I grabbed a bottle of water from the refrigerator.
“You seemed pissed off that I didn’t go with you to your doctor’s appointment.”
“To be honest, I was.”
“Why? Why would you be mad over something so insignificant as that? What would me being there with you accomplish when I could have been at the office doing more important things like work and making the company money.”
Oh, hell no. OH, HELL NO. I took a moment to calm down before I threw my water bottle at him.
“Can you please define exactly what you meant when you said that you’d always be here for me?”
“What do you mean?” He shook his head.
“I need to know what that statement covers. Because I guess going to doctor’s appointments isn’t part of it.”
“What the hell is wrong with you?” he snapped.
“Nothing is wrong with me,” I spoke in a calm voice. “I just need you to clarify what falls under the ‘I’ll always be here for you’ category.”
“If you need me for anything, Jenna.”
“Ah.” I held my finger up. “For being so smart, I can be really dumb sometimes. The only thing that falls under that category is sex.”
“That is not true!” His voice was stern as he pointed his finger at me.
“Well, I needed you there with me today!”
“For what?!” He held out his arms to the side.
“You know what? You are such a fucking typical guy.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean? You know what, Jenna. I don’t need this right now. I have a lot on my mind, especially with my father coming back.”
“You know what, Lucas, I don’t need this either. I don’t need the stress of you deciding when you want to be involved and when you don’t. Just leave.”
“Trust me. I am.” He turned and headed towards the door.
“Good!” I shouted.
“You’re crazy.” He looked at me and shook his finger before walking out the door.
“Time to make a plan, little one,” I said as I looked down and placed my hands on my belly.
After I changed into my nightshirt, I climbed into bed, put my belly buds on my tummy and played some Zen music for her. After hearing Lucas and I get into an argument, she needed some soothing and so did I.
“Alexa, play my Zen playlist.”
I slowly closed my eyes and let the tension melt from my body and mind. Tomorrow was my first prenatal yoga class, and I couldn’t wait. I probably should have started classes earlier in my pregnancy, but I couldn’t because of my broken foot.
Chapter 25
Lucas
I went back up to my apartment and immediately poured myself a drink. Taking it out on the terrace, I leaned against the railing and stared out at the brightly lit city. For her to get so upset about me not going to her doctor’s appointment was absolutely ridiculous. I didn’t need this shit from her. I had enough going on with my father coming back to town. I cared for her and the last thing I wanted to do was upset her, but she really pissed me off by saying what she did. We both just needed tonight to cool off and come tomorrow morning, things would be good again between us.
The next morning, I climbed in the car and looked at Thaddeus.
“Where’s Jenna?”
“She told me she would be getting herself to the office from now on. Am I to assume something happened between the two of you?”
“She’s just being childish.” I sighed.
Before going to my office, I stopped by Jenna’s and she wasn’t there, so I walked into the break room where I found her making a cup of tea.
“No coffee this morning?” I asked as I stood behind her.
“You’re being disrespectful of my personal space. Remember what happened the last time you
did that? I would hate for that to happen again since I’m holding a cup of hot tea this time.”
I took a few steps back.
“Better?”
“Much.” She walked out of the break room and I followed her. “You’re still mad at me for yesterday?”
“No, Lucas,” she spoke as she set her cup down on her desk.
“Obviously you are.”
She walked over to me and placed her hand on my chest as her eyes stared into mine.
“What happened last night is done and over with. We both had our say and it’s in the past. Let’s leave it there. I’m not mad.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“Then that’s your problem.” She took a seat behind her desk.
“If you’re no longer mad, have dinner with me tonight.”
“I can’t.” She looked up at me.
“Why not?”
“Because I have a prenatal yoga class.”
“A prenatal yoga class. Since when?”
“Tonight is my first class.”
“Then we’re having lunch. I’ll pick you up at noon.” I walked out of her office.
We ended up at The Capital Grille because Jenna was craving their signature burger and truffle fries. The moment we sat down, she ordered a water and some hot tea while I ordered a scotch.
“How did your doctor’s appointment go yesterday?” I asked with caution.
“I told you yesterday it went fine.”
“Listen, Jenna. I apologize. Okay? I didn’t realize it was that important to you that I be there. I promise I’ll go with you to the next appointment.”
“It’s fine, Lucas. Let’s just forget about it. Like you said, you have enough to worry about with your father coming back to town. I have to pee. I’ll be right back.”
“Here’s your scotch and your wife’s tea and water,” the waitress spoke.
“She’s not my wife.” I immediately corrected her.
“Oh. I’m sorry. Are you ready to order or do you want to wait until your girlfriend gets back?”
I let out a sigh.
“She’s not my girlfriend either. Just because a man and a woman are having lunch together doesn’t mean they’re a couple. And yes, we’re ready to order. We’ll both have the signature burger with everything on it and the truffle fries.”
“I’ll get that in right away, and I’m sorry for assuming.”
Jenna walked back to the table and sat down.
“I ordered our lunch.”
“Thanks. I’m starving. Why is there not a bread basket on the table?”
“I think you only get that at dinner.” I smirked. “We really haven’t talked much the past week. How have you been feeling?”
“Good.” She picked up her glass of water.
“Just good?” I asked because she was being vague.
“Yeah.” She smiled.
The waitress walked over and set our plates down in front of us.
“Thank God. I’m starving!” Jenna said as she shoved a fry in her mouth.
“How far along are you?” The waitress asked her.
“Twenty-four weeks.”
“I’m fifteen weeks.” The waitress placed her hand on her small belly, and I sighed.
“Congratulations. You’re so tiny still.” Jenna grinned. “But just wait. One morning you’re going to wake up and that belly will be popped out.”
“I can’t wait. Anyway, enjoy your lunch.”
“Did that make you uncomfortable?” She cocked her head at me.
“It was a little weird. Don’t you think?”
“Not at all.” She took a big bite of her burger. “It’s no different than you boys talking about your penis size.”
“Really? We do not do that.”
“I think you do.” She scrunched her face. “In fact, I know you do. One time, I was sitting in a bar and there were two guys next to me and that’s all they talked about.” She shoved a fry in her mouth.
I just sat there and shook my head at her.
“What? It’s true.” She smiled.
“What time is your yoga class tonight?”
“It’s from seven until eight.”
“Why don’t you come up to the penthouse tonight. It’s been a while.”
“I don’t know. I might be too sore after yoga.”
“Then let me do all the work.” I gave her a smirk. “You know I’m good with my hands. I can make all your soreness go away.
“Okay. I’ll come up after I shower.”
“Good.” I gave her a wink.
Jenna
Before we left the restaurant, I had to pee again, so I told Lucas I’d meet him in the car. As I was washing my hands, the waitress that served us walked in.
“I just have to ask you something before you leave,” she said.
“Of course.”
“Are you J. Elle?”
Shit. How did she know?
“How did you know?”
“When you were in here earlier, the guy you’re with told me that you’re not his wife or his girlfriend when I mentioned it, and when you told me how many weeks you were, I just put two and two together. I just love your podcast. You have no idea how much you’ve helped me so far. When my boyfriend found out I was pregnant, he took off and said he wasn’t ready to be a father. I’m twenty-one years old and I’m scared shitless to raise this baby on my own. But after listening to your two podcasts, I don’t know. I just feel more confident now and empowered.”
“Aw.” I reached over and hugged her. “Thank you.”
“No. Thank you. Please keep doing what you’re doing. I’ve read all the comments and you’re helping so many single pregnant women.”
“You have totally made my day—”
“Natalie.” She smiled.
“Natalie. You are a strong woman, and you got this girl.”
“I know.” She looked down.
“Listen, I have to run. He’s waiting for me in the car.”
“He’s kind of a jerk,” she said, and I let out a laugh.
“Yeah. He can be.”
When I climbed into the car, Lucas looked at me.
“What the hell took you so long?”
“Ask your daughter.” I cocked my head at him.
Chapter 26
One Week Later
Lucas
Tomorrow was the day my father was blowing into town. Something had come up in Paris and he had to postpone his trip another week, which was fine by me. At least I had one more week to relax. But now, he was flying in for sure and who the hell knew what category the hurricane was coming in at.
I was sitting in my office when I heard a knock on the door.
“Come in.”
“Hey, bro.” Danny smiled as he stepped inside.”
“Hey. What are you doing here?” I asked as I got up and gave him a light hug.
“Is this a bad time?”
“No. Have a seat. What’s up?”
“You know that girl I’m seeing?”
“Lisa, right?”
“Yeah. We were in the car the other day taking a day trip to the country and she said she was dying to listen to this podcast that all her girlfriends were talking about, and she asked if I minded if we listened to it on the drive. I said sure, so she played it.”
“And?” I asked.
“And I’m pretty sure it’s Jenna.”
“What?” I furrowed my brows.
“I’m sending you the link right now,” he said as he pulled his phone from his pocket.
I opened up his message on my computer and clicked the link. As I sat there and heard Jenna’s voice, I rubbed my face and sighed.
“What is going on with you two?” Danny asked.
“Nothing. We really haven’t seen each other all week besides here at the office. She’s been going to some prenatal yoga class three times a week and tells me she’s busy when I ask her to dinner. I guess she really has been busy. Jesus Christ. I can’t beli
eve what I’m hearing.”
“There’s a total of ten days’ worth of podcasts if you want to listen to more. Look at her ratings, bro. She’s killing it. I didn’t think you knew about it.”
“No. I didn’t. Thanks for telling me.”
I could feel the rage deep inside me. This was the last thing I needed. After Danny left my office, I decided to listen to some clips of a few more. I wouldn’t lie. I was offended, and I was pissed as hell.
“Laurel, tell Jenna I want to see her now!”
“Of course, Mr. Thorne.”
A few moments later, Jenna walked into my office.
“You wanted to see me?”
“Shut the door and have a seat.”
“By the harsh tone of your voice, it sounds serious.”
“Oh it is.” I pressed play on one of her podcasts.
She sat there and bit down on her bottom lip as we both stared at each other.
“I can explain that.”
“You damn well better!” I shouted at her.
“First of all, don’t you dare shout at me. Second of all, nobody knows it’s you or me.”
“Danny fucking knew the minute he heard your voice!” I yelled.
“Why was he listening to my podcast? A little weird, don’t you think?”
“His girlfriend was listening to it in the car. It doesn’t matter! How could you do that?”
“Do what? Tell my story of being a single pregnant woman whose baby daddy isn’t sure if he wants to stick around or not?”
“I told you I would be here for you, but that just wasn’t enough. If I didn’t want anything to do with you or that baby, I would not have given you a job here or let you rent out my apartment in the same damn building where I was living!”
“Stop shouting.”
“No! I won’t stop shouting because I’m pissed off! Not to mention the fact that you called me a scared little boy!”
“Hold up.” She put her hand up. “I was referring to all men. I wasn’t singling you out. But hey, if the shoe fits.”
The rage inside me was growing, and I needed to control it before I did something I would regret.
“I need you to leave,” I spoke.
“You’re done shouting at me?”
