Page 31 of The Baby Contract With My Hot Billionaire Boss

Still, I can tell that she’s going to be difficult so later that night I pull Leann aside and tell her to take care of it. “She says it’s not to be touched.”

“There are things you guys can use and you know it. So take the jewelry, pawn it, and get something else. I don’t care if you buy new books with it, Leann. I just want you to have it for things that are more useful than yet another necklace.”

She hesitates but finally nods her head. “Mom could use some new sheets. Those blankets that you brought over are great. But she gave them to me and she still uses the same threadbare sheets she always has. And maybe some new towels.”

“Great. Use the stuff I bring you. Please.”

Leann at least promises to do something. And I know that she will. Though whether Mom will be happy about it or not, that’s another issue entirely. But at least they’ll be using the stuff.

And it’s not like Chris even notices that it’s gone. He doesn’t ask about the jewelry he gave me. And he certainly doesn’t ask about the bedding and things. I doubt he’s ever seen the inside of his laundry room so how would he know what I’m putting in the wash?

When I walk back through the door that night I’m feeling exhausted. Dealing with Mom can be like that sometimes. Even when she means well she can be stubborn. And right now, she’s not thrilled about the fact that I’m giving away things she figures I’ve earned.

Never mind how many times I tell her that it’s not anything I’ve earned. It’s gifts from other people that I don’t need.

“Emma, I have something for you.” I look up, startled at the voice, tearing me from my musing. I didn’t even look to see Chris’s car in the driveway when I got here and I’m surprised to see him standing in front of me now.

“What is it?” He hands me the costume for Mardi Gras and I can’t help but grin. “Well, you guys really decided to go all out, huh? Good thing you can’t tell I’m pregnant yet,” I quip and his eyes narrow, scanning over my body.

I feel flushed and warm immediately, but it’s hard to tell just what he’s thinking. Because he doesn’t speak. He just gives a slight grin and takes a step back. I try to bite back a sigh.

Am I really that unattractive to him now that I’m pregnant? Does he see more than I do of the changes in my body? What’s going to happen when I start showing even more? Will he avoid me entirely? He can’t fire me for being pregnant, but I certainly won’t be able to get the tips that I do now once it’s more obvious. At that point I may be forced to quit.

“I’ve got a few things to do,” I mumble vaguely, taking my new outfit and heading down the hall.

“There’s something else in the bag as well,” he calls after me and I manage a slight wave of the hand as I make my way out of his sightline.

Sure enough, inside the bag is another bag. A gift bag. This one is filled with spa accessories. Soaps and some kind of mask. Leann will like them; I think to myself. And they’ll be great for after her next treatment.

He’s always putting something in my room. Candles. Blankets. One of the blankets I kept, but the others went to Mom and Leann.

Each time I feel guilty but what am I supposed to do? I don’t need those things. And Mom and Leann can use them. Or can use the money from them. But still, I don’t know what Chris would think if I told him what I was doing with the gifts. It’s not like I can anyway. Because in order to tell him what I’m doing with the gifts I would have to tell him the truth about my family and our financial situation, and that’s not something I’m ready to talk about.

Chapter Fifteen ~ Chris

“So, we’re ready for the big event?” Matt asks as everyone sinks down into chairs in my office.

“We should have everything we need,” I reply. “I’ve got the costumes and the girls received them the other day.” I can’t help thinking about just what Emma is going to look like in hers, but then I try to clear the thought so I can focus on the meeting. “The alcohol is ordered and we have a live band coming for part of the evening.”

“Good. And we’re fully staffed?”

“All the girls are on shift that night. The waitresses and the dancers,” Ethan agrees.

“Good. So we’ll be ready to go at the beginning of the week.”

“Definitely,” I agree and catch the glance everyone shares across the table. “What’s going on?”

“We need to know about something else.”

“What’s that?” I ask, settling back in my own chair and preparing for whatever they’re going to ask about. The financials for the club are solid. Everything is going well. We’re turning record profits year after year. I’m not concerned about anything.

And then Tony drops a magazine on my desk.

“What is this?” But I can see what it is. There’s a picture of me on the cover of the local rag. By itself that isn’t new. The headline, however, is a little different.

‘Who is the New Woman in His Life?’

Another one under the first has a similar headline.

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