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But I don’t want to have this conversation over the phone. I’ll send him a text telling him we need to talk.
I pick up my cell phone and bring up my texts. I see the red beating heart that was in my last text message to Chase. The next time I talked to him he said he’d be working nights, and he sounded different. I thought he was just stressed because of all the press, what with Knight Security being in the spotlight. But what if he's been working nights to avoid me? Maybe he’s feeling hemmed in again and just needs his space.
I think about how sweetly he made love to me on Monday morning. Then I sent that stupid beating heart. What if it scared him? We haven’t had sex since then, but we also haven’t had the chance to, so I try not to jump to conclusions. Still, this certainly feels too coincidental.
I look down, and my hands shake again. I get up find a box of crackers and tear them open. They’re a little stale, but I eat them. They seem to help get rid of the nauseous feeling.
I sit down at my table. I shut my eyes and place my hand over my stomach. I let the wonder of having a baby fill me. My eyes start to water. “It’s okay, little one. I love you no matter what.”
What if, by having this baby, I lose everything, my marriage, and my friend? How will Chase react? He doesn’t want kids. I remember he asked early on if I was on the pill. He doesn’t want children, period. What will he do when he finds out I’m pregnant?
I sit there for another hour, just trying to decide what I should do about everything. Chase, the baby, the duplex, and my Uncle Victor. I’m so lost in thought that I jump when my cell phone rings.
“Hi, Mr. Jenkins. I hope you’re calling with good news.”
“Well—”
After I hang up the phone, I grab a pad and pencil. I have some important and hard decisions to make. I need a plan.
Forty
Chase
It’s Thursday morning, and I’m early. I want to be at the ten o’clock meeting to show Val my support. She’s worked so hard on putting this deal together.
The night before last, I started training one of the supervisors to be Hawkin’s backup. Smitty, the guy I’ve been training, appears to be catching on quickly.
I really don’t want to work another night shift ever again. I’d rather be home at night, in bed with my wife.
Damn, I can’t believe how much I’ve missed being with Val. It’s only been since Monday night, but I’ve gotten used to spending our evenings together.
It doesn’t matter if we’re sharing stories about work, watching a movie and eating popcorn, sitting out on our deck, or riding our bikes. What’s important is doing all of these things together, doing them with Val.
I pull out my phone and look down at the last text she sent me. I saved it like some love-sick teenager simply because Val sent me a red beating heart. Damn, I’ve got it bad.
I haven’t had a chance to talk to Val this entire week. She’s been working late at Carlucci’s, and I’ve been practically living in the office. That all stops today. Smitty is covering for Hawkins for the rest of the week. Once all the negotiations for the software contract are worked out, hopefully, Val will be getting off on time.
I want to tell Val about my plans to move. I’m hoping the house I looked at yesterday will help change Val’s mind about staying in the duplex.
I glance at my watch while I yawn widely. It’s almost time for everyone to arrive.
Suzanne, Carson’s admin, comes in.
“Chase, you look exhausted. I heard you’ve been working the late shift. Can I get you a cup of coffee?”
“That would be great, thank you.”
I sit down at the conference table then take a huge gulp. I want to be alert for the meeting.
Carson and his attorney come in next. I nod, as I already know Alex. He’s been our attorney for a couple of years now. He’s a relatively young man with sandy-colored hair. He’s very sharp, and Carson trusts him, so that’s good enough for me.
I look up as Val opens the door. Our eyes catch, and I give her a wide smile. She smiles back, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. I can tell something is wrong. I frown in response. She also looks pale.
“Carson, Suzanne, this is our company’s attorney. Serena White,” they all shake hands, Val turns to me last, “Serena, this is my husband, Chase Knight.”
“Nice to meet you.”
“Serena, this is Alex Bale, our attorney.”
