by Holly Rayner
Mia gave her a bright smile and leaped up from the chair, feeling a sudden burst of energy. As she rushed from the makeup room, she nearly ran headlong into the baby’s daddy himself.
“Well. If it isn’t Sir James Chance?” Mia said to him, raising her eyebrows saucily.
“And you’re looking quite spectacular this morning. Quite a bit better than earlier, I might add,” James said. They shared a brief laugh at the joke, given he’d seen her rushing to the toilet to vomit that morning.
“I suppose Theresa is a miracle worker.”
James paused for a moment before leaning toward her, taking his lips to her ear. “Listen. I have an idea for tonight, if you’re available. Can I take you on a date?”
Mia’s brain felt fuzzy. Other than spending time with her at her apartment, James hadn’t taken her on a proper date in the weeks since he’d learned of the pregnancy. In fact, he hadn’t even invited her over to his mansion on the outskirts of town yet. She’d often felt like he was hiding pieces of his life from her. Perhaps now, a few weeks into their unbalanced, brand-new relationship, he was ready to bring her into one of the many secret facets of his existence.
“I’d love to go on a date with you,” she said coyly. “Will you pick me up after work?”
“I think I’ll know just where to find you.”
Brimming with butterflies, Mia shuffled toward the news desk, where she sat primly, her eyes straight at the teleprompter.
Jeff had his arms crossed. He gave her a strained, almost angry expression. Since he’d learned of her pregnancy, he hadn’t been overly kind to her. In fact, he’d been especially particular about her performances, asking her to articulate differently than she had previously. She knew she needed to earn his approval once more, after the way her pregnancy came to light.
“All right, team. That’s five, four, three—”
“Good morning, Portland. I’m Mia Daniels. As you know, my co-anchor, Charles, is on vacation at the moment with his wife, Melanie. The station sends its regards.” She gave a grin. A year before, she’d been voted best news anchor on Portland television, and Theresa had told her at the time that it was because she seemed the most relatable.
She continued on with the news, diving from the story about the plastic duck race to a tale about a boy’s missing bicycle. It was discovered deep in the woods, behind an abandoned home. “What’s that, you’re asking? Is it Halloween already?” she found herself saying. “Nope, folks. It’s May. Which is probably why little Bobby got his bike back, unscathed.” She bounced into a nod. “But be careful out there in the meantime.”
After several more segments, Jeff yelled out for cut. Mia switched her microphone from her lapel to its container, careful never to be caught in that monstrous ordeal of spilling her own secrets again. Of course, in the weeks since the incident, she’d been teased mercilessly about it.
Her segments completed, Mia snuck down the hallway, knowing she would find James taking a brief lunchbreak in his office, alone. He liked the privacy, he had told her once. It gave him time to unwind. To think. But he made an exception for Mia.
She tapped her knuckles on the mahogany without pause.
“Come in,” James called out.
She opened the door to find him throwing salad into his mouth with plastic utensils.
“That chicken looks awful sad,” Mia chuckled.
“It’s the best I could get on such short notice. You know, we really need to change the location of this news station. There’s no good food around here.” James shoved the salad away from him and crossed his arms. “What can I help you with?”
Mia shook her head slightly, feeling those same butterflies flutter in her stomach. She was falling for him. The very sight of his eyes made her feel weak to her knees. “I wanted to know if I should dress up for tonight.”
“You look great as you are,” James said, eyeing her blazer. “But if you feel like picking out something new, I can send you out with John.”
Mia remembered what Theresa had said. He was rich. And eventually, he was going to prove it to her.
“Well I wouldn’t want to look like a slob,” Mia said. She tapped toward him on her heels, her hand on her growing belly. Leaning down to where he sat, she pushed her lips to his and kissed him firmly, feeling the butterflies dive a bit deeper, to her groin. God, she wanted him.
James met her passion for only a moment before the lights on his office phone brightened and a shrill tone rang out. “Sorry,” he said quickly, “I’m not off-duty till eight. And then, we’ll have the night of our lives.”
Mia walked back toward the door, still smelling his cologne on her skin. Just being in close proximity to him ignited her passion. But, as she shut the door slowly, she couldn’t help but remember what Theresa had said about the pair of them. Besides learning the ins and outs of each other’s bodies, they hardly knew each other’s pasts, their memories.
And Mia truly believed that it was the memories a person held dear that made them who they were. If she hadn’t spent years in foster homes, how could she truly appreciate the fact that her adoptive mother had given her such love and care the moment she’d stumbled through her door? If she hadn’t failed that second college exam, would she have truly studied as hard all throughout years three and four, graduating third in her class?
Probably not. Memories were everything. And just now, Mia and James held a dark curtain over their memories, inhibiting any deeper understanding of each other.
She felt her stomach twirl. Would their baby know them? Would their baby understand their secrets? Would their baby be brought up between two essential strangers?
Mia’s phone buzzed. She searched her purse and grabbed it. James had messaged her, not three minutes after she’d fled his office:
John’s picking you up at three to go shopping. Forget your projects for the rest of the day. I want to treat you.
Mia scrunched her shoulders high and emitted a short, high-pitched squeal. A crewmember eyed her curiously, but Mia scrambled past him, to her office computer, and began typing out the various emails and interview inquiries she needed to complete prior to her three o’clock departure. She wasn’t going to miss out on James’ treat, but that didn’t mean that work wasn’t essential to her very way of life. She was a career woman. A mother. And—perhaps—a girlfriend. It would be a juggling act, but it was one that she would learn to master.
FIFTEEN
At three o’clock, Mia shut her computer and rushed down the steps, her ponytail bobbing behind her. Sure enough, outside the building, John awaited her in the sleek, back limousine. She gave him a little, shy wave, and he opened the door for her.
“My lady,” he said to her.
“John. It’s good to see you.” Her eyes sparkled as she spoke to him. “It’s been a while.”
“I’ve been taking James to your apartment nearly every single day. I suppose it’s your fault for not coming out to say hi,” John winked. “As for this afternoon, James has instructed me to escort you to an uptown dress shop, where you’re meant to shop till your heart’s desire. And for that reason, I must ask you—” He leaned close to her, his voice playful. “How much do you like to shop? Because if you really, really like it, you need to give me time to grab a couple of magazines. I bore very easily.”
Mia grinned. “I won’t be long, John. I promise.”
He shut the door and wheeled the limo from the parking lot, whizzing them down the highway and toward downtown Portland. Mia splayed her fingers in her lap, feeling excitement rise in her chest.
The limo came to a halt in front of a small boutique on the west side of town. Mia stepped onto the sidewalk, sensing that the pedestrians on the street were side-eyeing her, wondering who she was. She slipped her sunglasses over her eyes. “Thanks, John. I won’t be long,” she said to him. He gestured back with a current affairs magazine that Mia had read the previous week.
“It’s a good one,” she whispered.
�
��I just want to keep abreast of what’s going on. Can’t get too rusty. Good luck in there.” And with that, John dove into his magazine, his eyebrows tenting over his eyes.
The door jangled as Mia entered. The boutique wasn’t one she’d seen before, as it was tucked discreetly between a bookstore and a stationary shop, with just a small window to show for it. The place had no apparent name, but it was known colloquially as “Marie’s,” after the owner and seamstress.
Marie herself rushed forth when she saw her customer, dressed in a blazer and slacks that drummed the ground. She brought her fingers to her mouth. “Oh, my, darling,” she said, her voice high. “What in the world are you wearing?”
Mia didn’t miss a beat. She thrust her hand forward to shake Marie’s. “Hi, Marie. Don’t bother with what I’m wearing, actually. I’ve been sent here by James Chance. He said I could find an appropriate evening outfit here.”
With that, Marie’s face burst with exclamation. “Oh! You’re James’ new girl!” She brought her arms around Mia’s shoulders in a hug that felt forced and strange. Marie gave her a once-over glance and scoffed slightly. “You’re certainly not as slender as the others.”
Mia looked down at her belly, feeling her face burn. “Actually, Marie, I’m pregnant.” She rubbed her belly with a tentative hand.
Marie shot her head back, her hair rolling forward in a single, abrupt motion. “No,” she breathed. “You’re pregnant? With James’ child?”
Mia didn’t know how many times she’d have to go through this. She swallowed. “Yes, indeed. Which might explain the slight pudge, right here.” She poked at the skin now. “I was hoping you could arrange some evening wear that hid that fact, at least for now. James hasn’t complained about it a second. But I don’t want to cause him to start.”
“A good man, that James,” Marie breathed.
Mia tilted her head, revving with further questions. Could this woman help her get a glimpse into James’ past?
But in a moment, Marie was rushing back to her stocks, to lines and lines of evening dresses in all different colors, wrapped in plastic for safety.
Marie gave her a sharp eye. “You have this dark complexion and it’s nearly summer—” She trailed off, muttering to herself. She slipped a few dresses from the rack and thrust them at Mia.
“You’ve done this before for James’ girlfriends?” she inquired.
“Oh, yes, darling,” Marie called. “James has been around Portland for years. He’s been bringing girls in here since he was just starting to open up news stations across the country. A self-starter, that one. Was always impressed with him. And with his women.”
She left it like that, then, leaving Mia to believe once more that she was incredibly unimpressed with her. But Mia knew she was pretty. That she was slender, outside of her pregnancy. That she’d caught James’ eye for a reason.
“Go, go,” Marie said then, gesturing toward the dressing rooms. “I think I got your size correct. Just get in there and don’t come out until you look dazzling.”
Mia found herself in the dressing room, the evening dresses hanging limply on the rack behind the closed door. She swallowed, yanking her blazer from her shoulders. Since she’d been able to eat once more, after those weeks of vomiting, it was true that she’d gained weight. But it wasn’t anything she was worried about; she was willing to put her body’s looks on the wayside so long as her baby was healthy.
Despite Marie’s seeming dislike of her, she certainly had picked out a few stunning gowns that made Mia look incredible. A yellow one twirled to the ground as she walked and made her already-growing breasts look perky, full, and soft. A light green halter dress showed off her athletic legs and long neck. After she donned a deep red dress with a single strap on the side, Marie insisted she take it off immediately. “That one is hideous on you. I won’t have you wear it another second.”
Eventually, Marie insisted that Mia choose an off-white dress. “It makes you look quite pure, really,” Marie stated, tenting her fingers.
What’s that supposed to mean? Mia thought quietly. But she stood gazing at herself in the mirror, at the way the shimmering dress highlighted her curving butt, at the way it hugged her breasts. She looked all-woman, yet still youthful. She wanted to throw her arms around Marie and thank her.
“How… um. How do I pay you?” Mia asked her.
But Marie just rolled her eyes. “He’s already paid me. Don’t worry about it, my dear.” She spun on her heels and began to march back toward the dressing rooms.
“Thank—”
But Marie held up her hand, stopping her. “You don’t have to thank me, darling. It’s my job to make you look as good for James as possible. And I suppose, given you’re having his child, this won’t be the last time.” She paused for a moment, giving Mia intense eye contact. “It’s rare that I ever see someone a second time.”
Mia’s heart felt squeezed. She yearned to ask Marie if James had brought in anyone recently—if, even though she was carrying their baby, he was still seeing other people. She realized they hadn’t had “the talk.”
She ducked from the boutique, then, carrying the dress in her arms like a priceless ornament that she was afraid to break, and jumped into the front seat of the limo, slamming the door and scaring John.
The driver nearly dropped his magazine as he shuffled from his relaxed position. “There you are. I thought I’d never see you again.”
“Well. You probably know just how Marie is,” Mia scoffed. “You’ve probably been stationed in this precise spot countless times, for countless different women.” She felt tired, like an old woman playing the same dumb games over and over again. She gazed out the window. On the corner, a young boy stumbled as he tried to mount his tricycle.
“Hey. Listen to me,” John said, spinning to face her, his eyes suddenly alert. “It seems like Marie put you through the ringer. Don’t let her do that to you. Not ever again.”
Mia frowned. “She belittles you, too, doesn’t she?”
“You have no idea,” John said, laughing. “I’ve had girls come out of there crying and yelling, without a dress in their hands. It actually seems like you made it out of there relatively unscathed.” He winked at her. “I promise. She makes everyone feel like an idiot. And the sooner you get over the hump of this anger, the better.”
Mia leaned her head back as John revved the limo, taking her back to her apartment to prepare for the evening ahead. Perhaps she had passed some sort of test, designed by James himself. But she didn’t like that she might have to dive through more and more hoops before he truly allowed her to get to know him. She wondered how many women had tried and failed before her.
But Mia Daniels didn’t fail. Perseverance was everything.
SIXTEEN
Several hours later, the limo appeared in front of Mia’s apartment building once more. James stood beside the vehicle, peering up at her window, dressed, as always, in an immaculate suit.
Perhaps he sensed that she was standing there, staring back, wearing her new dress, her hair falling in curls around her face. She’d done minimal makeup, noting that her “baby glow” had recently begun, making her feel angelic. She blinked wide, frightened, yet excited eyes, then she burst from her apartment and headed out of the building.
He wasn’t immune to her looks, it seemed. He seemed to stagger toward her, shocked at her beauty. He offered her his elbow, and shook his head, trying to articulate the right words. “You look…remarkable,” he told her. He brought his fingers to her soft cheeks and crept toward her for an intimate, quiet kiss. “Thank you for coming out with me today.”
They held hands in the back of the limo, and Mia felt her brain relax from its earlier mania. James, with his ready smile, made her feel instantly safe.
“You can’t even see the start of the baby bump in this dress,” she replied, showing him.
“It’s one of the most beautiful things about you right now,” James said. “Why should you want to cove
r it up?”
“It kind of makes me look like I just ate a few too many bagels right now,” Mia laughed. “Maybe until it’s obvious that it’s really a tiny little human, I should keep my silhouettes loose.”
“Well. I hate to tell you this, but tonight we’re going to contribute to it with Italian food. The best in the city.”
Mia’s eyebrows rose high, just as she felt her face break out into a wide yawn. Embarrassed, she drew her hand to her mouth. “Oh my gosh,” she whispered. “I’m so sorry. I’m really not that tired—”
“You’ve been tired for weeks, baby. I know that.”
“I just haven’t been able to get up in the mornings,” Mia admitted. She felt comfortable telling him this. She knew he would do his best to make her comfortable.
