Page 64 of Bound Hearts

Shaking my head, I’m completely comfortable with my policy of no attention needed. “We’re good,” I simply reply.

Elodie rolls her eyes, knowing me too well.

Dropping my gaze, I notice that today’s blouse covers enough, but with one change of position, not even baggy clothes are going to hide the pregnancy anymore. Sighing, I dread today all of a sudden.

“I’m telling Celeste today.”

Elodie cringes. “Eek.” My eyes grow worried. If that is her response, what the hell am I walking into? She sees my panic. “She’s smart and knows policy. She probably even likes babies. It’s just not her nature to show it. Plus, I’m sure she’ll be more upset that you married Foster. She totally has a thing for him.”

“What?” It’s news to me.

She chuckles. “Relax, I’ve only noticed her fix her hair a time or two before entering his office.”

Suddenly, and it’s petty, but I feel like I have a win against her. Foster is mine. All mine.

“You already know Olivia, so she’s as easy as a peach. Easy to work with to set up all of that parental leave, company daycare, insurance, and all that jazz.”

“I figured. Plus, as much as I hate to say it, because I wish it were all my own stature, but nobody wants to piss Foster off. If you piss the CFO off, then have fun at the next budget meeting, ya know?”

“Oh, totally,” she says in agreement. “Your husband has power,” she teases me.

I rest my elbow on the edge of her desk, letting my propped hand cradle the side of my head as I puff a breath. “I’m not an idiot. The rumors are going to fly that I’m sleeping my way to the top.”

“I’m sure you like it on top,” she quips with innuendo.

It does make me laugh. She’s normally not the crude one in our friend group. “Har-har.”

She raises her hand. “I’m the one who has a daughter that our COO only recently found out about. That was a fun day when people heard the news. But also, easier than I thought. Compared to other places, the company culture here isn’t so gossipy.”

That does calm some of my worries for the day.

A restful silence floats between Elodie and me, as if she were studying me, but her mouth still holds a faint smile.

“You’re really happy with him, aren’t you?”

“I am, I really am. Everything is falling into place, Elodie. It’s exhilarating, scary, and the most grounded I’ve felt in a while. And it hasn’t happened alone. Foster is…”

The strongest feeling I’ve ever had for someone. I don’t want to call it a romantic connection or even attraction. Yes, it’s both of those things, but it’s more. It’s two people who have a deep bond.

"He’s special." It feels like a cop-out answer, but how do you put into words falling for your husband on a deep level? It should be obvious to others—we’re married, after all.

“You light up when you talk about him. I’ve never seen you this way. You always strive for perfection in your work, but you are allowed to have perfection in your personal life too.”

“Balance, right?” I rebuke. She nods. “Speaking of perfection in work, I can’t put it off. Celeste will be a joy today,” I say sarcastically.

Standing, I’m ready to get this over with.

“You’ll be fine,” she assures me.

I know she’s right.

When I open her door, I remember something else. “Do you think you could send me a list of all the baby stuff you got when you were pregnant with Lola? I’m totally lost.”

“Absolutely. I would say I still have some things you can have, but I overdid it with the pink.”

Laughing, I’m going to point out the obvious. “I think you will be giving Lola a brother or sister soon if Hayes has a say.”

She lifts a shoulder. “Meh, probably.” She brushes it off because she is totally on board with that plan.