Hourglass Squared (6 page)

"Sav, just don't. I got home, and Josh knew something was up with me."

"You didn't!" Savannah accused, pointing her manicured nail at me.

Shaking my head no to her accusation, I felt the tension in her body slip away as quickly as it had come. "Oh, thank God."

"Savannah." I began rising to my feet and squaring my shoulders, knowing she would not like what I had to say, "I will not lie to my husband for long. I love you dearly, but this," I waved a hand between the two of us, "this is killing me."

Her face dropped as she closed her eyes. "I know. I just need some time to process it all. I will tell Jake." Savannah turned and started to walk out of my office, obviously knowing I was done and not in a mood to argue or talk more.

"Make it
real
soon," I muttered as she reached the threshold.

The rest of the day at work dragged on and on, so much so that at three I left, done with it all. "Lisa," I spoke as I walked past my assistant's desk. "If anyone asks, I had an appointment, then after that I'm going to finish my work from home."

Standing up, she looked on at me with concern in her eyes. "Oh Brooke, are you still having the morning sickness?" Lisa was one of the first to catch on to my disappearances and had even ensured I had saltine crackers and ginger ale at my disposal at work.

"No," I replied, shaking my head. "It seems to have finally gone away. I just didn't sleep well last night." I walked over to the elevators and pushed the button, the doors dinging open just as Savannah walked by.

"You're leaving?" she asked.

"Yes." I nodded. "I have an OB appointment today. You know… for my baby." The snideness in my voice came through fully as I placed a hand on my stomach. I stepped into the wood-paneled elevator, desperate for the doors to close, but knowing it'd be rude to press the button in her face.

"Brooke," she began. I forced my eyes shut, unable to stomach another reason to keep quiet. Savannah was my best friend. I loved her with every fiber of my being, but I didn't agree with her choice right now and had to play second fiddle to the lie. Just before the doors slid closed, a solitary tear trickled down Savannah's cheek.

I parked my car in the first available space at the doctor's office, spotting Josh's a few spaces down. As I reached over to grab my purse, my car door swung open.

"Hey, beautiful," Josh crooned, taking my hand and placing a kiss on it before helping me out. "I'm so excited for this," he continued, his excitement pouring out of him and warming me from the inside. This was something joyous and happy that we could celebrate, and I clung to that thought, pushing Savannah's troubles to the back of my mind.

We were called back quickly and taken to an exam room. I had chosen to go with a midwife, wanting as natural of a process as possible for our baby's journey into the world.

Melissa came strolling in, my chart in her hand as she reviewed my file. "Good afternoon, Mrs. Worthington, Mister" She nodded to both of us with a genuine smile that was infectious.

"Brooke, please," I said, returning her smile as she shook Josh's hand. He'd been unable to make the first appointment due to work, so she quickly introduced herself to him before turning back to me.

"So, I'm a bit concerned. Your weight has dropped a little. Has the nausea subsided?"

I nodded my head in reply, and she went back to flipping pages.

"Well, I want to keep an eye on it. Make sure you are eating plenty and taking your vitamins. You are now," she flipped a few more pages, "thirteen weeks, so we will just measure and listen to the heartbeat today, but seven more weeks and you'll have another ultrasound."

Josh's shoulder slumped as a laugh took over my body, reaching over I took his hand and gave it a squeeze. "Hey, don't pout, baby, you got one on the way," I teased as I lay back on the table and placed my feet in the metal stirrups.

The paper crinkled beneath me as I lifted my cotton shirt up to my bust line and pushed the waistband of my skirt down to my panties. Melissa grabbed a tube of the lubricant jelly and shook it to the top, then squirt a dollop on my flat stomach. She spun in her chair, picked up the little gadget on her counter, and placed it on my belly. The room filled with the annoying sound of static. Suddenly my heart skipped a beat as I heard that of my child, beating strongly and loudly, echoing through the room.

Thu-dump, thu-dump, thu-dump.

Tears trickled down my cheeks as Josh turned me into him, hugging me tightly around the neck.

"Oh, Josh," I choked out, reaching up and grasping the starched collar of his shirt to pull him closer to me. Sharing that moment with my husband was just… magical. Leaning back to the table, I took the tissue offered by Melissa and dabbed my eyes. A few quick measurements and we were sent on our way with another appointment scheduled in four weeks.

Josh walked me out to my car and opened the door for me to climb inside the driver's seat. "That was, that was amazing, Brooke. I want to call Jake, but he is so touchy about all things baby," he said wistfully as he messed with the handle of my car door.

I felt the bile rise in my throat and covered my mouth as I fought to hold it back.

"I thought it had stopped?" Josh asked, obviously concerned that I was looking a little green.

"It has. I think something I ate is just disagreeing with me," I lied once again, this one coming out easier than the last. Mentally, I cursed Savannah for putting me in this predicament. "No big deal, I'm heading home anyway. I told Lisa if she needed me to call me there."

Josh nodded, looking pleased that I'd be home resting. "Good. Be sure to elevate your feet and take a nap. You don't have to work full time, you know."

My eyes went heavenward as the irritation bristled within. "Josh, dear. I'm fine. I'm going to go home and work. I have to start getting this pregnancy feature finalized so I can get it to Monica for final approval."

As Josh leaned down, his devilish smile had me turning to mush before his eyes. Damn that man.

"Well, I have to go back to the office. I will see you later. I love you." He dipped his head into the car, his lips coming within a centimeter of my own, and I could smell the spearmint of his gum as his warm breath blew out.

Puckering my lips, I closed the gap, tasting him and enjoying every second of his warm delicate lips on my own. When we broke our hold, that same devilish smile reappeared, and I desperately wanted to tell him to skip work entirely.

I waved Josh off and pulled out of the parking lot, reminiscing on the appointment we'd just enjoyed together, Josh's words about sharing it with Jake replaying in my mind. The red light burned in front of me, bringing my car to a halt in front of a baby boutique I had never seen before, and instantly a genius idea struck. The light turned green, and I gunned it, cutting off several cars as they honked their horns at me, so I could make the second entrance to their store.

When I stepped into the store, the doorbell chimed above me. A friendly sales clerk walked from the back stockroom, a bright smile on her face as I perused the endless racks of the most adorable clothes ever. "Can I help you find something?" she sweetly asked in her sing-song voice.

"Oh no, I'm just looking," I said, sliding hangers across the pole as I looked at each tiny newborn outfit in a wide array of pastel colors. I wasn't sure what I wanted to get, but I had hoped that by showing Savannah the cuteness and get her excited, she'd deal better. And the faster she dealt better and told Jake, the better off I would be. Freezing suddenly, I pulled out the most adorable yellow onesie with a cute fluffy duck that said
I Love My Mommy
. I saw a ton of things begging for me to purchase them, but I figured I'd keep it gender-neutral until we knew whether we were having a boy or a girl.

After making my purchase and walking back to my car, I realized the new mission I had been assigned.
Operation Baby Worthington
would be my toughest yet, because my best friend was as stubborn as they come. But I promised myself then and there I'd smother her in all things baby until she accepted the reality that she and Jake were going to be welcoming a little blessing in nine months. I felt confident that once she accepted the facts, she'd be excited too, and then we could all breathe easier.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Savannah

B
ROOKE SCURRIED INTO
my office the next day with a huge yellow bag in tow and closed my office door behind her. She placed the huge bag on my desk and sat down in front of me, grinning from ear to ear.

"What is this?" I questioned, plucking the bag off my desk and placing it onto my lap.

Brooke bounced in her seat, beaming with excitement as I carefully extracted the wads of tissue paper one by one from the bag, peering in as if something was going to jump out and scare the hell out of me. As the last piece of tissue paper was removed, I peeked in, and instantly my mood shifted from pleasant to angry.

"Brooke, no, I'm not doing this. I can't. What if Jake sees this? I can't risk him finding out, not yet."

Brooke didn't falter; rather, she sat up straight up and began in on me, "Savannah Worthington, you're pregnant. You need to get on board. It's a wonderful thing, and the sooner you accept it, the sooner I can stop lying to my husband. Now take a better look at what's in that bag."

I hesitated for a moment before I reached in and pulled out a white onesie, holding it up in the air as I read the writing,
If you think I'm cute – you should see my aunt!

Brooke chimed in as I examined the outfit, "I've got one for my little peanut too. That way they can wear them together and match."

Shaking my head, I stuffed the onesie back into the bag and stood before I crossed the room and opened my closet. I tossed the bag inside and slammed the door shut with a loud thud. "Brooke, I'm not getting on board. You can buy me every piece of cute clothing Denver has to offer, and I'm still going to hate the fact that I'm pregnant." Back at my desk, I snatched my camera up and stormed out of my office, looking over to my shoulder as my best friend's face watched, hurt by my words.

Needing to clear my head, I briskly walked down the street ready to snap a few photos of my beautiful city, when I found myself in front of a familiar high-rise. I walked into the building and hopped into an elevator and pressed PH. Shoving my camera into my giant purse, I exited the elevator and gazed up at the entryway to our favorite social club, The Penthouse.

Elizabeth, the hostess, greeted me, "Mrs. Worthington how may I assist you today?"

Walking past her, I made my way to our usual spot at the bar. "I'm just going to have a drink. Thanks, Elizabeth."

Taking a seat at the bar, I relaxed for the first time that morning, when one of the usual bartenders greeted me, "Good morning, Mrs. Worthington. May I offer you a mimosa?"

I smiled up at his kind offering. "No, thank you, water will be fine."

There was a choking sound next to me, and before I could look over and assess as to whether someone needed to do the Heimlich or not, a familiar voice filled my ears, "Savannah Prescott drinking water? Shall I alert the authorities?"

Rolling my head in the direction of the voice, I came face to face with none other than Luke Wellington. Utterly surprised by his presence, I quickly tried to regain my composure. "Luke," I sat up straight trying to keep his attention off my belly, knowing full well there was no sign of a baby, just yet, "it's actually Savannah Worthington." Holding up my four-carat diamond ring, I flashed it in front of his face and smiled. "I got married a little less than a year ago. So did Brooke."

Luke smiled, reaching up to run his fingers across my cheek, and I shuddered at his familiar touch.

"I heard the two of you settled down, and with none other than our biggest competition, Worthington Squared." He winked at me as his hand reached for his drink.

"We did. Brooke and Josh are so in love. They're even expecting a baby. We are so thrilled for them. It's all she talks about, being a mom." Taking a sip of my water, I imagined it was the mimosa I'd been offered earlier.

"And what about you?" Luke asked. "Are you happy? Will you and Jake be bringing a baby into the world anytime soon?"

Taking in a deep breath, I pondered his question before answering. "Of course I'm happy. I love Jake, and he is perfect. It's just…" Faltering slightly, I tried to form the rest of my sentence.

Luke's eyes peered into mine. He may have turned my and Brooke's lives upside down, but, regardless of all of that, he still knew me like the back of his hand.

"What is it, Sav?" he probed, sounding concerned, like a friend, not like someone hoping their ex was secretly miserable without them.

I quickly stood before I leaned in and hugged him tightly. "I've got to run. It was great seeing you, Luke." I rotated on my heels and darted out before he could say goodbye and hustled back toward Hourglass to retrieve my car.