Page 135 of Scandalous Secrets

I remembered how I thought the same thing until Monica came into my life. And even then, I still tried to fight it, but I was so glad I let myself fall for her. My life was exactly where I wanted it to be.

“We should celebrate your launch,” he said, smacking his hand on my desk enthusiastically. “I saw in the papers there was no party. I’m disappointed.”

“I’m not sure I can keep up like I used to.”

I thought back to all the parties we would go to, the copious amount of liquor we drank, and the women we sweet-talked back to our college apartment. It was a wonder we even graduated. I was sure our fathers had something to do with it. They probably donated a gymnasium or something to keep us from failing.

“Probably not,” teased Alex.

“But look, why don’t you come to a party at my place? Once the baby is born, we want to host friends and family, so you all can meet him.”

“A baby party?” asked Alex skeptically.

“I’ll make sure there’s a nice bottle of bourbon for you.”

“I’m there.” He laughed.

A knock sounded at my door just then, and my new assistant popped his head in, looking slightly frazzled.

“Yes, Brad?” I asked.

“Sorry to interrupt, but Monica…”

“What about her?” I asked, standing from my chair suddenly.

“She’s gone into labor.”

Chapter 59

Monica

Troy pulled my favorite plush blanket around me and the baby who was pressed against my chest sleeping. I smiled up at him as he tucked the sides underneath me like a cocoon. He was the one who had suggested we bring the blanket from home, the one where we had many pizza picnics and movie nights. I was so glad he did because it was a little piece of home, a place I was excited to get back to, now that our son had arrived in the world.

I looked down at him, sleeping on my chest, his perfect lips pursed as if he was about to coo. They were Troy’s lips. His hair was dark and thick and lay flat against his perfectly round head. His nose pinched up at the end, small and cute. My nose. I had never seen anything so perfect.

“We did good,” whispered Troy, rounding the hospital bed and laying his chin on my shoulder so he could admire our baby.

“We certainly did,” I whispered back.

“Youdid good.”

He gently kissed my bare shoulder, and I closed my eyes at the warmth of the lips and the exhaustion that was now hitting me. It had been a long day, and when it started, I didn’t think I would end up here in the hospital. I wasn’t due for another three weeks, but clearly our baby had other plans, as he was eager to make his debut early.

After Troy had left for work this morning, I made a small cup of coffee and got ready for a meeting with my editor at the paper. As I pulled my go-to black maternity dress over my head and over my round belly, I felt a dull cramping, but didn’t think anything of it. I figured it was just the acidic coffee.

I left the apartment, which I still couldn’t believe was my home. When Troy had asked me to move in with him, I was shocked. We hadn’t been togetherthatlong, but that hadn’t stopped us from falling in love and having a baby. Things might have been a little backward, but I wouldn’t have them any other way. I eagerly accepted his invitation and somehow, he managed to have my entire life moved in the next day, without me even lifting a finger. That was the thing about Troy. He spoiled me, but even more so in pregnancy.

I greeted the doorman with a smile and a nod as he pushed the door open for me. I figured I would walk to the meeting. It was only a few blocks away, and my doctor had suggested light exercise to help with circulation. It was a beautiful fall morning, and the leaves were beginning to morph into deep shades of orange and red. I loved fall in New York. There was just something about it.

As I walked down the sidewalk, admiring other mothers who were pushing their babies in strollers, they gave me knowing smiles. It was as if to say reminiscently, “I used to be there.” I smiled back, rubbing my belly, knowing that would be me someday soon. It was everything I had ever wanted, but had pushed down because I was afraid it wasn’t going to happen for me. But then I met Troy, and all the things I used to dream about started pushing their way through the cracks of the shell I had built in myself.

I arrived at the coffee shop to find my editor already at a corner table, sipping on her usual caramel macchiato. I gave her a wave and began to make my way over, but suddenly winced at another dull cramp. She stood up, looking concerned and helped me to sit down.

“Are you okay?” she asked, studying my face.

“Mhmm. I don’t think baby liked this morning’s coffee.”

She nodded warily before sitting across from me. I ordered a glass of water and a raspberry Danish, hoping it would settle my stomach.

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