Page 88 of Forbidden Desire

“Hello?” she answers.

“Hi, Ms. Goss? This is Erica Gunner.”

“Ms. Gunner. I thought maybe I scared you off after our initial meeting.”

“No, I just needed some time to think everything over, but I want to move forward with drawing up the papers.”

“It’s a big decision. I understand. I have an opening today, if you want to get the ball rolling.”

“What time?”

“One o’clock.”

“I’ll be there,” I say, not wanting to waste any time. I’ll just take a late lunch.

“See you then.”

I hear the click of the phone and take a deep breath. I’ve taken the first hard step. Just I don’t know how I’ll be able to take the next one.

At work, I drop Josie off at the daycare, reluctant to let go of her today. Maybe it’s because I know Marco knows she’s here and can come down and see her anytime he wants. I give her extra kisses before handing her over to the daycare worker.

“I’ll see you later, lovebug,” I say, watching as she’s led to the morning’s music class.

Now I just need to get up to my department without any run-ins with Marco. The last thing I need is for my resolve to be broken by him looking at me with those deep brown eyes and flashing that smile that should be illegal. I feel foolish for getting swept up by him in the first place. Like just because some handsome man gives me attention, I would risk the little family I’ve built.

Yet I know it’s beyond what he looks like. Beyond that, he’s a billionaire. I come from that life. I couldn’t care less how muchmoney he makes or what kind of apartment he lives in. The little I know about Marco through the intimate times we’ve had together or the personal conversations we’ve had, I know there’s so much more behind his looks. Behind his success. I’ve barely just tapped the surface, but I can’t go any deeper into it.

I settle in at my cubicle and begin going through my emails that are somehow piled up from over the weekend, even though I cleared it out on Friday before I left. Writers never sleep, I remind myself. I used to do the same thing over the weekends when I was sending my own articles in to the head of the editorial department. Who is now me. I try to remind myself often that this is the dream I’ve always wanted. It may not have been the ideal way for me to obtain my new role, but I’m here, so I’m digging in and trying to be grateful.

Surprisingly, the morning goes by quickly, and when I finally glance at the clock, it’s nearing 1 p.m. I feel a slight sense of doom come over me, knowing what I’m about to do. I don’t know if it’s April and her blunt way of putting things, or dreading the process we are about to dive into. I don’t know how long these things take, and I’d rather it not drag out, giving Marco more opportunities to change my mind.

I gather my things and head out, acutely aware of my surroundings, and breathe an internal sigh of relief when I make it outside the building. I make the short walk to April’s office and arrive a few minutes early. As I wait in the waiting room, I get a text from Sadie:

I’m proud of you. You’re one brave mama.

I smile down at my phone, but it feels more like a grimace. I had let her and Beth know my plans to move forward as soon as I got off the phone with April this morning. Beth was more hesitant, thinking that I was rushing into my decision and not giving Marco enough time to make his true intentions apparent. Sadie was all for it. Again, the difference between my friends is astounding, but they say opposites attract.

Me:Thanks. I’ll let you know how it goes.

“Ms. Gunner,” says April from the open doorway leading down the hallway to her office.

“Please. Call me Erica,” I say, standing from my seat.

She smiles and gestures me to follow her. Soon, we are settled in her office and I’m bracing myself for what comes next. She must sense it because she gives me a knowing smile.

“I know our initial meeting was a little rough. I apologize for my brashness. It comes with years of doing this job.”

“I’m sure it’s won you many cases, though,” I say.

“This is true.” She smirks before softening her face. “I hope you know that I do want what’s best for you and your daughter. And if this is what you think is best, then I’m happy to represent you.”

I look at her worriedly.

“If it gets that far, of course. My hopes are that these papers will be the end of it.”

I nod, feeling a little more comfortable.

“Now, I need to know from you exactly what you’re wanting or not wanting from Mr. Vallejos in terms of being a father to Josie.”

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