Page 1 of Red King
1
Paisley
“Screw it,” I mutter under my breath as I grab the packet of peanut butter cups from the shelf, imagining how the chocolate is going to melt in my mouth later.
I shouldn’t.
I want to.
I can’t!
I close my eyes and groan. I need to stay strong. No chocolate or wine on workdays. I’m only allowed my guilty pleasures on a day off and then only once a week. That’s it! I’m trying to be the most healthy, well-rounded version of myself that I can be. They say that a healthy body leads to a healthy mind, which leads to happiness. The real kind. The kind that comes from within.
I can do this.
With a sigh, I put the snack back on the shelf, staring at the chocolates longingly for a few seconds before walking on.
It’s only four more days until I’m off again, but who’s counting?
Healthy body, healthy mind, happiness. Healthy body, healthy mind, happiness.I keep repeating the mantra over and over in my head, stopping mid-stride as I turn the corner.
Why me? Whyyyy? Nooo!
There she is.
Would you look at that.
It’s her…and…and… No! It can’t be. It is… No, no, no, no, nooooo! Why did no one tell me about this? Surely people knew. My friends, my family. The sneaky bastards. This can’t be happening. I start to backpedal when she sees me.
“Hiiiiiiiiiii!” Lexi yells as her eyes lock with mine.
My mouth falls open. I try not to stare. I try not to react, but I can’t help it. My face starts burning. My insides, too. I get this weird numbness that starts in my feet and works its way up.
After a few long seconds, I realize that I am just standing there with what I know will be a crazy smile plastered on my face.
I suck in a breath, forcing myself to relax, willing my smile to be real. I can do this. I must.
“Lexi,” I say in a singsong voice as I walk over to her.
Lexi beams at me. She even gives me a two-fingered wave. It’s annoying, even though I know she doesn’t mean to be. There isn’t a bad bone in this woman’s body.
I want to hate my ex-husband’s new wife; then again, they’ve been married for over a year now. I can’t keep calling her his new wife, and I need to stop. I want to hate her so badly, but I can’t because she’s too damned nice. Oh, and beautiful. Gorgeous is probably too tame a description. That asshole lucked out when he snagged Lexi. Lord knows he doesn’t deserve her. Not one bit.
He’s the colossal prick, not her. Lexi can’t be blamed for his shortcomings. I can be nice. Iwillbe nice to her.
It’s hard, though, especially since she’s glowing. Not just her face and her skin but her whole body, which is toned and tight despite the definite baby bump.
A baby bump.
What did I do to deserve this?
“You’re pregnant,” I say stupidly as I get closer. I mean, it’s blatantly obvious that she’s pregnant, unless she put a pillow under her clothes or swallowed a cantaloupe. “I didn’t know.”
Lexi rubs her belly and then drops her hand at her side as if she’s doing something wrong. She gets this look. It starts off pitying and then turns into concern…for me.
She touches the side of my arm, looking down at the ground for a moment before looking back at me. “I’m so sorry,” she all but whispers. I know she means it.
“What? No.” I shake my head. “You have absolutely nothing to be sorry about. It’s great. So great.” My voice is upbeat. I’m still smiling. “Congratulations.”
