Page 16 of Ruthless Secrets
I used to have dreams. I used to want things. But then I got pregnant, and suddenly my wants and dreams don’t matter anymore. All of my energy has to go into providing for my baby, so I said goodbye to my dreams and turned to plan B, which is simple—survive.
I thought having my heart broken by my fiancé was my rock bottom, but it turns out rock bottom goes deeper when you get knocked up by your one-night stand on what should have been your wedding night.
I swear I can’t make this shit up.
I turn to my assistant manager. “Liv, I need you to close up when you’re done putting those glasses away. I have to go and pick up Zoe.”
“No problem. Give that baby a big kiss from me!”
I chuckle. “Will do.”
I swear every time I bring Zoe into work, she’s immediately taken out of my arms and passed around the staff, and even the customers sometimes, who all fuss over her. I take it as a compliment. She is an incredibly cute baby and doesn’t look anything like me.
After double checking the covers booked in for tomorrow, I grab my coat and bag and head out to go and pick up my daughter. I hate being away from her for so long and every minute we spend apart, I’m riddled with guilt.
I always thought when I had kids, I would stay at home, at least until they started school. The early years are crucial for their development, and I worry that I’m screwing up Zoe’s life by working so much. But someone has to pay the rent, and that someone is me. It’s not like I have a husband or a baby daddy to fall back on.
I guess I only have myself to blame. All it takes is one night of very hot, very unprotected sex to get knocked up.
It’s not all bad. I mean, I love Zoe, but being a single mother ishard. Taking care of her is a full-time job in and of itself, and babies aren’t cheap.
Zoe is only six months old, and I swear she’s gone through a million diapers already, or close to it. And don’t get me started on the price of daycare.
The one saving grace is Sam. Most weekends she offers to take Zoe while I work, which makes me feel even more guilty because she refuses to be paid. And I’m not in the position to be affording a full-time nanny any time soon.
As I head out of the back entrance of the restaurant, Ipull out my phone to send Sam a text to let her know I’m on my way. I was meant to be back by six so I could do Zoe’s bath routine, but it’s almost eight now, which means she’ll be fast asleep by the time I pick her up. The ache in my chest intensifies.
It’s always there whenever I’m away from Zoe, but it worsens when I think about all the stuff I’ve missed already. Her first time rolling over or the first time she waved. At the rate I’m going, she’s going to be calling Sam ‘Mama’.
Why can’t my life be like the movies, where some rich billionaire falls in love with the frazzled single mom and she and her kid get to live the life of luxury?
“Excuse me, are you Clara Peterson?”
My head snaps up.
I didn’t even hear the man approach me, which does not bode well. I really need to pay more attention to my surroundings. It might be daylight in the middle of a busy city, but when has that ever stopped a man from attacking a woman?
“Can I help you?”
I scan his face, but he doesn’t seem familiar. Then again, I serve hundreds of men like him every week. For all I know, I’ve overcharged him, and he’s come back to take his revenge.
I don’t have any maze with me, so I subtly try to reach into my bag for my keys. If it comes down to it, I can stab him in the eye or something.
I swear ever since I had a kid, my ability to jump to the worst-case scenario has increased tenfold.
This man is extremely well dressed in a dark navy suit, white dress shirt, and a navy tie, and his dark blond hair is cut short and neatly styled.
If my heart wasn’t about to jump out of my chest in fright, I might take a moment to admire how attractive he is.
“I work for a new club that has opened.” He reaches into his jacket pocket.
Oh, my god, he’s going to pull a gun on me?—
“My boss is interested in hiring you to manage the place.” He pulls out a business card.
Oh, thank god, this man isn’t going to assassinate me and leave my child without a mother.
“I already have a job. But thanks.” I adjust my bag on my shoulder and go to walk away, but the man steps in front of me.
