Page 82 of Trapped
“It’s true.” I nodded.
“That’s quite a sacrifice. Your coffee consumption is almost as insane as the Gilmores.”
My eyes rounded.
“Don’t look at me like that. Em loves that show, so naturally I’ve seen a few episodes.”
“Do you like it more or less than Outlander?”
Nathan’s laugh saved Jamie from having to answer. I thought it was sweet that Jamie and Jack watched TV with their wives, even if they’d never choose those particular shows.
“One decaf vanilla latte coming right up,” Nathan said, remembering my drink of choice.
“You don’t have to buy my coffee,” I argued as I sat and slid into the booth.
“I don’t have to. I want to,” he answered, earning a smile and nod from Jamie.
Nathan being nice as he protected me was making it difficult for me to protect my heart.
When he delivered my coffee, he said, “We’re right over here if you need us.”
I inhaled the sweet scent of my favorite latte. “Thank you.” I wondered if the vanilla syrup was bad for the baby. I’d have to look it up when I got home.
Emily scooted to sit beside me so I could show her my ideas. I should’ve scooted to her side so we could see the door, but it didn’t seem necessary with two bodyguards sitting between it and us.
After taking her feedback notes, the conversation shifted to other topics.
Baby topics.
Specifically, my baby.
“You’re still seeing Doc Greenfield Wednesday, right?”
“Yes, I’m hoping I’m not, but Doc said false positives are rare.” My heart sank when Doc confirmed what the internet had already told me. Not that I didn’t want children; I did. Just not with Finn, the reason I needed a bodyguard.
“Have you taken another home test?”
“No, I’m afraid another positive will freak me out, and a negative would get my hopes up. Neither result would improve the situation.”
I’d lost track of how many times a day I prayed the test was wrong.
When Emily asked if I’d considered getting a restraining order against Finn, I said I had but knew it wouldn’t help. It could also make things worse, like it had when she got one against her now-dead ex-boyfriend.
I trusted Jamie to tell me if I needed one.
The fact that I might need one, for the father of my child, was a mind-fuck.It’s too much to deal with. I wanted to hide my head in the sand and pretend this wasn’t my life.
My mind spiraled down the rabbit hole. What kind of life would my kid have with Red Flag Finn as his father? How much emotional damage would he cause? Would I be able to maintain custody and minimize the harm he’d inflict with his narcissistic, abusive behavior?
I wondered if an order of protection could prevent him from seeing his baby. Or at least require him to have supervision for visits.
“Do you think I could get one to keep Finn away from my baby?”
“You’re pregnant?” The deep voice behind me made me jump.
Nathan.Shit. I hadn’t heard him walk up.
Feeling like a rat in a trap, I looked at Emily, hoping for help.
