Page 126 of Red King

Dave looks at us like we fell out of something’s butt. “Ummmm…no. It’s the same cologne I’ve used for years.”

“Oh…a pregnant woman’s sense of smell can change, especially in the early days,” Becs says. She laughs. “What’s your excuse?” she asks me.

“I haven’t had my morning coffee, and it’s that time of the month.” I make a face.

Dave snort-laughs. “That’s too much information, thank you.”

“Sorry.” I cackle.

“I need to go. I have an early meeting.” He kisses Rebecca. “Bye, Paisley,” he yells as he walks out the door.

“Bye,” I call after him as I pour myself a cup of coffee. I add some cream and forgo the sugar.

I need to be strong and lose this extra weight. I also need to check to see if my pencil skirt still fits me.

“I have an interview,” I tell Becs.

I take a sip of coffee and grimace because it tastes…off. I smell it.

“What’s wrong?” Becs asks.

“I think the cream might be turning.” I push the mug away. I’ll make a fresh cup in a minute. “Aren’t you going to say something?”

“I’m happy for you,” she says in a deadpan voice.

“Tell me how you really feel.” I laugh.

“It’s my wedding next month. I don’t want you to go. Why don’t you live here? You can keep helping around the house. And when the baby comes—”

“The two of us will share a room, and it’ll be cozy.”

“Yes, you can share a room with the baby. It’ll be fun. Like one big campout. Or, I know, we can buy a bigger house. Yes! That’s it!”

I laugh. “You are so funny. Your house is perfect. Just right for a family of three. I have to go, my friend. I can’t stay, and you know it. Dave is being sweet and kind and so lovely, but that isn’t going to last. I’m in your space. It’s time to move on.”

Time to move on.

My mind goes straight to Arctic. His eyes, his smile, his laugh, how he looks when he’s inside me.

No!

I still think of him all the time. I picture him dating the other Tributes. I picture him kissing Hannah. I picture him whispering in her ear and —

Stop!

“I need to go, Becs. I have to move forward.” My eyes get all teary and totally out of the blue.

“Oh, Paisley.” She grabs my hand.

“I’m sorry. I still miss him,” I admit, sniffing.

“Your CEO?”

I nod. “Yep. I feel like I’m still stuck, that I won’t get over him until I’m somewhere new, meeting new people, and I need to get back to work. Don’t worry about the wedding; I’ll negotiate to start afterward.”

“Where is this new job you might get? Will get,” she grumbles. “Where would you be based?”

I wrinkle my nose. “Don’t freak out.”

---