Page 30 of An Unexpected Encounter

I don’t respond, but before I put my phone on the coffee table, I add his number to my contacts. I don’t know why, I just do.

My phone vibrates again.

I’m fully expecting it to be another message from Eli or one of my new, I hate even saying it, brothers.

A smile breaks out when I see it’s Sam.

Sam: Morning baby mama. How are you and the babies?

Sam: Are you feeling better?

Me: Death would be welcome at this moment.

Me: The doctor said the morning sickness should end by the beginning of the second trimester. So just a few more weeks and this should be over.

Me: Hopefully sooner.

Sam: Jose and I can cancel our vacation and I can come get you and bring you here so we can take care of you.

Me: The hell you will Sam. You and Jose have had this vacation planned for months. You are going. I’ll be okay. You’re only going to be gone for a couple of weeks. Nothing’s going to happen in that time other than I’m going to get fatter.

Sam: Not fatter. You’re pregnant Selly.

Me: It’s semantics. By the end of this pregnancy, I’m sure I’ll look like a beached whale.

The bubbles bounce up and down, making their own little musical beat. I already know what’s about to pop up on my screen.

Sam: I’m going to talk to Jose and we’ll reschedule or we can see if they have another room open and book it for you and take you with us.

Me: No and No.

Me: You and Jose are going without me. I want you to have an amazing time and spoil that wonderfully amazing man of yours. Also do not message and check up on me.

Sam: I need to know you’re okay.

Me: I will message you good morning and goodnight. Now go and have fun.

Sam: Fine.

Sam: But you better message. I need to know you’re okay especially with how bad your morning sickness has been.

Me: I love you Sam.

Sam: I love you too Selly.

I’d turn my phone off if I didn’t have clients contacting me on it. Instead, I put it on the coffee table and pull the blanket up snug to my chin. My head flops back on the pillow before my eyes close and I let sleep take over.

I’ll worry about work when I wake up.

I just finished inputting all the information for my recent client and sent them their updated accounting records, along with how much their last quarterly taxes were.

I’m officially done for the day, and I’m exhausted. I haven’t been able to keep anything down and I don’t know how much longer I can go on like this. How anyone said being pregnant was the most wonderful time of their life I’ll never know. It’s been agony for me.

I’ve barely sat down from my last bathroom venture when the doorbell rings.

Getting up, I head for the door. “I swear to god, Sam, I told you—” I shout angrily as I open the door.

It’s not Sam and Jose, though. It’s all three of my new brothers. My eyes widen in surprise, but I immediately flash a nervous smile.

---