by Claire Adams
As I took a step back from the mirror, my eyes traveled down my own body. I frowned and turned to the side. My white dress was simple, but elegant. It ballooned out over my eight-month pregnant belly, leaving no doubt that I was with child. I smiled and ran my hand over my stomach, stroking my unborn baby through my skin. He kicked out at my touch. I laughed and shook my head. Was this really happening?
“Hey, beautiful,” a voice said from behind me. I turned to see John standing in the doorway. He grinned at me. “You look amazing.”
“Thank you,” I said. I blushed and looked back at the mirror. “You don’t think anyone will care about the belly, do you? I don’t want to deal with any judgment today.”
“Come on,” he said. He stepped up behind me and put his hand on my back. “Since when did you start caring what other people think?”
“Maybe it’s the hormones.” I laughed.
“Probably,” he said with a chuckle. “Besides, Eloise isn’t invited, so you don’t have to worry about anyone judging you.”
I laughed again and shook my head. John was right. The wedding was so small. Only close friends and family. No one here would think twice when they saw me walk down the aisle. Everyone knew I was expecting and everyone was just thrilled to meet the baby soon. I patted my stomach one more time before turning around to face John.
“Are they ready for me?” I asked.
“Almost.” He nodded. “Your man of honor sent me in to help you with your shoes. He’s making sure the flowers are set perfectly before coming back.”
“Typical Sammy,” I said. John rolled his eyes lovingly and slid past me to grab my shoes.
I lowered myself into a chair while he knelt in front of me. It wasn’t easy to get my own shoes on these days. The bigger my belly became, the harder it was. John laughed at me as I adjusted myself uncomfortably. I lifted my foot and he tried to slip my shoe on, but it wouldn’t buckle.
“My feet are too swollen,” I said. I sighed and leaned back in the chair. “I even bought them a size too big, just in case.”
“It happens,” he said. “I can run out and buy you another pair. It’ll only take a second.”
“No.” I shook my head and stood up. “It’s not important. I’ll just go barefoot.”
“Are you sure?” He frowned nervously.
“John,” I said. “It’s a beach wedding. It’s just sand.”
“Good point.” He laughed and helped me adjust my dress one last time.
In seconds, Sammy had appeared in the doorway. He stopped dead when he saw me, and tears filled his eyes immediately.
“Dammit,” he said. “I said I wouldn’t cry.”
“We all knew that was a lie,” I teased.
“Shut up,” he snapped. “Come here, let me help you.”
John stepped out of the way and let his husband take over. Sammy was my “man of honor.” There wasn’t anyone else I could imagine standing beside me while I married Dirk. No one else except for Josie, that is.
“Where’s my daughter?” I asked suddenly. “Shouldn’t she be back here by now?”
“She’s with Dirk,” Sammy said. “The photographer wanted some daddy/daughter pictures before the ceremony.”
“Oh,” I sighed and closed my eyes. “God, I need to relax. I don’t know why I’m so stressed.”
“You’re getting married,” Sammy said. “You should have seen me when John and I tied the knot. I was a nervous wreck. Honestly, it was pathetic.”
“It really was,” John said, from the corner of the room.
Sammy shot him a glare. “Don’t you have somewhere else to be?”
John just grinned and walked over to peck Sammy’s cheek.
“I should head over to Dirk’s suite,” John said. “Best man duties await.”
John smiled at me before disappearing out the door. I watched him go, grateful for a minute alone with Sammy.
In the past year, Sammy had become my best friend. It had happened almost instantly, and now, I couldn’t imagine my life without him. He wasn’t just my friend — he was my family. Dirk and I already asked him and John to be our baby’s godparents. There was no one better.
“Listen,” I said. I turned around to face Sammy head on. “I just wanted to say thank you.”
“Don’t you dare,” he said sternly. “If you make me cry again, Marissa, I will never forgive you.”
“It’s my wedding day,” I said firmly. “Bride’s will always wins.”
Sammy sighed and sniffed. He nodded, tears already brimming around his eyes.
“I couldn’t have made it through this past year without you,” I said. “The move out here. Getting settled with Dirk and Josie. The pregnancy. I honestly don’t know how I survived it all, but I know you were a huge part. You’re my best friend, Sammy. I love you so much.”
Tears were falling down his cheeks by the time I finished my speech. He sniffed and wiped them away impatiently. Without a word, he threw his arms around my neck and kissed my hair gently.
“You are a beautiful soul, Marissa,” he whispered in my ear. “Just beautiful.”
We pulled apart, both sniffing and dabbing our eyes. I knew the hormones were playing a huge part in my emotions, but this moment was necessary. Sammy had done so much for me.
“Can I come in?” a small voice asked. I turned around to see Josie standing nervously in the doorway. She was wearing the little princess dress we had picked out weeks earlier.
“Come here.” I opened my arms for her. She ran over and hugged me around the waist, resting her head on my belly. “Your little brother has been kicking me all day.”
“Has he?” She put her hand on my belly and waited, staring straight at it for a full minute. “I don’t feel anything.”
“Give him a minute,” I said. “He’ll-”
Just then, he kicked out. Hard. Josie jumped and giggled, patting my belly gently before pulling away.
“I’m excited to meet him,” she said.
“One more month.” I grinned.
“I’m going to check on everything out there,” Sammy said. He knew I needed a minute alone with Josie. “I’ll be back when it’s time.”
I nodded and watched him slip out the door. My eyes returned to Josie’s face, and I smiled brightly. In just over a year, she’d changed from a toddler into a little girl. She was almost five now. Kindergarten was right around the corner. I couldn’t believe how much she’d grown.
“Hey,” I said. I sat down so our eyes could meet. “You know how much I love you, right?”
Josie nodded, “I love you, too.”
“You’re my first kid,” I said. “No matter what. Nothing will ever change that.”
“Not even the baby?” she asked nervously.
I smiled, “Not a chance.”
I knew she’d been worried about that for a while. It was obvious from the moment we announced the pregnancy. Dirk and I did everything we could to reassure her, but she was young and scared.
“You’re my daughter,” I said firmly. “And after today, that will be official.”
She smiled and stepped forward into my arms. We hugged for a long time, just soaking in the moment. I wasn’t just marrying Dirk in a few minutes; I was marrying Josie, too.
“They’re ready,” Sammy said, stepping back inside the room.
Josie and I broke apart. I took a deep breath and got to my feet. With one last look in the mirror, I turned toward Sammy and nodded. I was ready.
Sammy grinned and led the way outside. The second I felt the sand beneath my feet, I was ready to cry again. The cool evening air whipped across my face, making me inhale sharply. The scent of the sea filled my nostrils and made me smile. This was the perfect night.
Music began to play, and suddenly, Sammy and Josie had disappeared down the aisle. I stood alone, squishing the sand between my toes and breathing slowly. For the first time since we’d planned this wedding, I didn’t feel nervous. I was just ready.
And
when I saw Dirk’s face, that feeling only grew stronger.
I took my first step down the aisle, my eyes never once leaving his. He smiled at me, his blue irises swimming. The look on his face was more than I could have hoped for. He looked so happy standing up there with John by his side. Sammy and Josie stood on the other side of the aisle, but I couldn’t bring myself to look away from Dirk long enough to notice them. I had eyes only for my future husband.
“Hey, you,” Dirk whispered when I reached him.
“I love you,” I said immediately. He laughed and took my hand.
The ceremony was a blur. Dirk and I both cried while reciting our vows. We exchanged rings, and suddenly, the minister was pronouncing us man and wife. Just like that, we were married.
My heart raced with excitement as the rest of the world finally appeared before me. Suddenly, I could see everyone else’s face. I saw John and Sammy, Josie and Noah. Everyone I loved was right there, watching me get my fairytale ending.
“How are you feeling?” Dirk asked later that night. We were dancing our first dance with all eyes on us. The photographer was clicking away beside us, but I barely noticed. My husband was staring at me with caring eyes, and I couldn’t look away.
“My stomach hurts a little bit,” I said honestly. “But right now, I don’t care.”
He laughed and kissed me. The kiss was long and lingering, full of emotion. I sighed and sunk into his chest, holding onto him so tightly that I thought we might become one body.
Our moment didn’t get to last very long. While we kissed, I felt tension in my stomach and then, my legs were wet.
“Oh my God.” I broke our kiss and stared at Dirk with wide, terrified eyes. “Oh my God.”
“What?” He frowned. “What’s the matter?”
I couldn’t answer. I just took a step back and stared down at the ground. The dance floor was suddenly slick with something. It wasn’t a lot of liquid, but I knew it was enough. My heart fell into my stomach, and the world spun around me.
“Marissa,” he said. “What is it?”
His eyes followed mine and understanding finally dawned on him. He moved forward and wrapped his arm around my waist, leading me quickly off the dance floor and away from prying eyes.
“It’s too early,” I said weakly. “He still has a month.”
“What happened?” Sammy asked, suddenly appearing beside us.
“It’s okay,” Dirk said. “Her water just broke. Can you bring the car around for us? I need to get her to the hospital.”
“Of course!” Sammy darted away.
“I can’t,” I said softly. “Dirk, it’s too soon. He’s not ready.”
“Hey,” he said firmly. He turned my face so that our eyes met. “Relax. It’s going to be just fine.”
“How can you be sure?”
“Because,” Dirk smiled. “You’re my wife. And, we’re having a baby!”
His excitement was enough to calm my fears. I laughed weakly and leaned my head against his chest. He was right. This was the best night of our lives.
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SLEEPING WITH MY BOSS
By Claire Adams
This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places and incidents are products of the writer's imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2017 Claire Adams
Chapter One
Asher
I glanced at myself in the mirror to see the image of a young man dressed in a subdued business suit reflecting back at me. He sat in silence on the sofa in the seating area, studying the artwork hanging on the wall next to the mirror.
It was a large piece, perhaps five feet across and four feet high. It consisted of a small red square in the top left hand corner against a white background. Countering the geometric, ordered simplicity were splashes of bold color sprayed across the entire right hand side in a chaos of strokes. It was as though all of the artist's pent-up rage and frustration had been poured out onto that canvas. It was a work of genius, really. In a way, that red square represented everyone trying to play their roles and keep the madness, and chaos, contained and controlled.
A young man approached and looked up at the artwork. He looked at the painting for a few seconds, shrugged, and then turned his attention to me.
“Hi,” he said, somewhat nervously. “Do you mind?” He motioned to the empty seat next to me on the sofa. “I have a meeting in this boardroom in a few minutes,” he added as he nodded toward the closed door to our left.
“Don’t mind at all,” I said, smiling warmly as I shifted to make more space for the newcomer. “Have a seat.”
“Thanks,” the young man replied, looking a bit flustered. His ill-fitting suit appeared to be uncomfortable, which only added to the somewhat flustered air he exuded. He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket to dab at his forehead and the sides of his neck.
“I'm Jason, by the way,” he said to me as he put down his briefcase and took a seat.
“Nice to meet you, Jason,” I said, extending a hand to the man. “I'm A—, er, Andrew . . . Andrew,” I replied as we shook hands. I caught myself before I could reveal too much. “I'm with the Sinclair Agency,” I added.
“Nice to meet ya, Andrew.”
“Are you with Winston?”
“No. I'm also with Sinclair. You been at the agency long?” Jason questioned.
I smiled strangely and nodded. “You could say that.”
“It's my first month here,” Jason said. “I was just assigned to the PR project for the Harry Winston Watch Company like three days ago. Now, here I am presenting at a brainstorming meeting. I’m a bit of a nervous wreck. Word is the CEO of the agency, Asher Sinclair, isn't too happy about the performance of the latest line of athletic watches in the first quarter of the year.”
I nodded. “I heard the same. Say, what's the word on Mr. Sinclair these days? What does the marketing department think about him?”
Jason raised an eyebrow. “Uh, don't you already know a bunch about Asher Sinclair? I mean, you did say you've been working here a while. What department did you say you were with again? I didn't catch it the first time.”
“I'm with finance. We don't chat too much about the boss. I think there are too many people who have to answer to him directly.”
“Oh. Well, this might help. Check this out,” Jason said as he opened his briefcase and took out the latest issue of Forbes magazine. “There's a feature piece on Asher Sinclair in here.”
“Is there, now?”
“Oh, yeah. I've read it like three times already. The guy's like, man, I dunno, Bruce Wayne or something. I can't help wondering if he's got a Bat Cave and a Bat suit up in some old family mansion in the hills.”
I chuckled. “Maybe he does have a Bat suit.”
“He's an odd dude. It’s a little strange that almost nobody knows what he looks like. There aren't even any photos of him on social media or anything like that. I don’t know how he keeps such a low profile. But, I guess I would, too, if I were in his shoes. It couldn’t have been easy for him, the way he grew up.”
“And, how was that?”
Jason raised an eyebrow. “You really don't know? Are you sure you've been at this firm for a while, man?”
“I just like to cross reference the stories I hear. It’s interesting how different they can be. So, what is it that you think you know about how Asher Sinclair grew up?”
“Well, rumor has it that his family situation was, you know, kind of troubled. I mean, being a millionaire by 18 cannot make for an av
erage childhood or normal teenage years. And then the big kicker: when his grandfather, founder of the Sinclair Agency, passed away, he left the majority shares and control of the company to Asher instead of Asher's father. Now come on, how many 20-year-olds do you know who not only get to become sudden billionaires, but also the head of one of the most powerful PR firms in North America? That sort of stuff has got to mess with your head a little.”
“It might, I suppose. Although, for someone with the right resolve, the right constitution, with an insatiable urge to achieve and succeed, it could be the perfect trial by fire.”
Jason nodded. “Yeah, you could be right. And by all accounts, the kid pulled through that fiery trial like a beast. According to everything I’ve heard or read, everyone was expecting the corporation to crash and burn after being thrust like that into the hands of a kid. And, I’m sure you know, but shares did initially plummet.
“Man, I don’t know what's in Asher Sinclair's blood, but there must be something superhuman mixed in. After all, here it is 12 years after he became CEO and those shares are worth three times what they were before. Three freakin' times, man! The guy's a bona fide genius. Someone even told me he's got his own personal racetrack and Formula One car!”
I grinned. “I've heard he's a decent driver, but doesn't race formally because it would put him in the spotlight, and you already said he keeps a low profile. A genius, huh? Maybe he was just lucky and made a few really good decisions at just the right time.”
“Or maybe he really is a genius.”
“Maybe. Maybe not.”
Jason checked his watch and dabbed at his forehead again with his handkerchief, looking decidedly nervous. “Oh boy, the meeting's about to start. You know, they say Mr. Sinclair often drops in on these meetings incognito. Because so few people actually know what he looks like, he's able to do that. Man, I sure hope he's not gonna be there today.”
“Relax, Jason. I'm sure he'll be receptive to your ideas if he is.”
“I'm new here. This is one of the most prestigious agencies in the country. I do not want to mess this up. This is my dream job! And, if Asher Sinclair is in there and I mess up or something… Oh God, I don't even want to think about it. I think I'm gonna throw up.”
