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I laughed, ignoring the pang of jealousy as I swung the bathroom door open, surprised at the big crowd that had filled the club. I had never been to one of my brother’s birthday parties in New York City, and he had always said that I was missing out...
Clearly, he was right.
Scanning the room of faces, I looked for Zena, wishing more than ever that I could confide in her about the test result I had just gotten...
But I had no idea how she’d take it.
There was a chance that she’d be really supportive and awesome about it—especially since she was already convinced that Eli had a thing for me. However, it was still against office policy, and I hadn’t once let on that Eli and I had slept together. She was my only friend in New York, and I did not want to mess that up.
My heart jumped as my eyes landed on Eli, still leaning up against the bar. He appeared to be chatting it up with some model-gorgeous bartender, and the way she was laughing made my stomach churn. I couldn’t see Eli’s expression, but the flirty smile of hers made it clear that she was really enjoying the conversation.
And I’m having his baby.
I blew out a sharp breath, becoming less sure about the idea of walking right up to him and blurting out that he had knocked me up. However, I straightened my shoulders and lifted my chin, heading right in his direction. I could at least feel him out, right?
“Hey, can I get you something?” The bartender saw me before Eli did, her smile shifting to me.
“Um, yeah, I’ll just have a water.” I didn’t look over at Eli, but I could feel his eyes on me.
“A water, huh?” She gave me a funny look. “I’m not going to question you. Ice or nah?”
“Ice?” I was surprised anyone would order a water and not want ice in it.
She nodded, turning around and leaving me there to wish more than anything that I could’ve asked for the strongest drink available. I needed liquid courage.
“You look stressed,” Eli cut into my thoughts.
I turned to look over at him, feigning surprise to see him there. “Oh, yeah, just work stuff.”
Okay, that was stupid. I work with him.
He looked amused. “Work stuff, huh? Is your boss working you too hard? Or is there something else going on?”
I swallowed hard, already noting the slur in his words. Eli was drunk, which made it even more apparent that telling him about my condition would have to wait. “I think it’s just everything. Harlee’s shooting will be wrapping up soon.”
“Ah, right, Harlee Mendez,” he said, leaning against the bar top as the bartender sat my water down in front of me.
“Thanks,” I muttered to her, not missing the strange look she gave the two of us before heading off to serve someone else.
“Hey.” Eli waved at the bartender. “Can I have another one?” He held up his nearly empty glass.
She looked back at him and shook her head. “You probably should cool off a little first.”
“Unfair,” he grumbled, clumsily sitting the glass back down. “I swear I’m not that drunk.” His reddened, hazy eyes met mine, and I held back a laugh.
“Right, must just be allergies then.” I rolled my eyes, searching around us for Zena.
“Well, no, I don’t have allergies, Olivia.” The way my name rolled off his tongue made my pussy tighten and I bit my lip as a little hint of embarrassment hit my cheeks. “You know, your brother told me all about you.”
Okay, maybe I don’t want to find Zena yet.
I raised a curious eyebrow. “What did my brother tell you then?”
“Well, he told me that I should stay the fuck away from you, so there’s that.” He chuckled, and I couldn’t tell if he was amused or annoyed in the moment.
“So my brother told you to stay away from me?” I choked out the question, hoping to god that Eli hadn’t told Owen what we had done. Don’t get me wrong, my brother wasn’t really the type to freak out over stuff like his friends being interested in me. He’d had plenty of friends over the years who had been into me—I just had never returned the interest.
“Your brother thinks that you’re a fragile little baby.” Eli started to laugh, his tone kind of condescending...
