Page 39 of Ex's Accidental Baby

I slowly gather my things, putting on the outfit I wore on Friday, which Logan has had washed and pressed.

I slip on my heels at the door and give him one last look before I let the door close behind me.

Tears form in my eyes when I’m in the elevator, and they’re flowing as I get in the ride share and head back to my car, parked at Bennigan’s.

I take a shaking breath and manage to make it home.

Thank God my mother doesn’t meet me at the door. I sent her a text on Saturday letting her know I was staying with friends. She must have bought it.

It’s stupid, sneaking around like a teenager who has been grounded, but I don’t want my mother to ever know about my connection to Logan. I know how she’d judge me. Judge both of us.

I change into a simple pantsuit and head to work, already feeling exhausted from being emotionally overwhelmed.

Dina gasps as I walk into the office.

“You look terrible.”

“Gee, thanks.”

She groans. “I didn’t mean it in a bad way. You just look tired.”

“Forgot my makeup this morning.”

“Come.” She beckons. “Let’s go to the bathroom. I’ll help you out.”

I don’t know if I should be offended or grateful, but I follow her and let her get to work on my face.

It’s actually kind of comforting, the way the various brushes dance along my skin.

“There.”

I open my eyes. My makeup is perfectly natural, very business casual.

I smile at her. “Thanks, Dina.”

“What are friends for?” She pauses. “Now, are you going to tell me what happened this weekend or do I have to beat it out of you?”

I bark out a laugh. “I thought we were friends!”

“We are, and friends tell each other secrets.” She locks the bathroom door behind us. “Now spill.”

I groan. “I maybe went home with Logan on Friday and spent the whole weekend at his hotel room.”

“You didwhat? I thought you were going to stay away from him!” She points her finger at me. “I knew you couldn’t.”

“I already feel like a clown. Don’t make it worse.”

Her face softens as tears well in my eyes. “It’s okay, Mere...”

“It’s not okay!” I wipe at my eyes, probably ruining the soft eye makeup she put on me. “You don’t understand. He broke my heart, ruined me, and here I am, at his beck and call all over again.”

“You don’t have to be.”

“I just can’t seem to stay away from him.” There’s glumness in my voice I haven’t heard since I dropped out of college, and I hate myself.

“You can now.” She puts a gentle hand on my arm and quickly fixes my makeup. “Just go out there and ignore him. I know you can.”

I sniffle, pulling her into a brief hug. “I’m glad we met, Dina.”

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