Page 44 of Exposed

Novah walked inside and I pointed to the counter. She picked it up and screamed.

“Yes!”

“I don’t know about this, Novah. I’m only twenty-five and still have so much I want to do before becoming a mom.”

“What are you saying?” Novah questioned.

I sighed, leaning back and crossing my arms.

“I’m scared.”

“You have me and Dominic. Plus, his family is here. You have nothing to be afraid of, Lauren. This is a blessing.”

“Easy for you to say. Are you sleeping with Emmanuel?”

“If I was, that's my business and no, we are not sleeping together. Too busy trying to get my business up and running.”

“Sorry for being snappy. What if it’s a boy and he turns out to be like Dominic? OMG, I’d have two hard-headed men in my life making me crazy. He probably won’t let me do anything if I’m pregnant,” I muttered.

“That is true, he barely lets you do anything now without him being around. It's his subconscious making up for lost time when you weren’t together.”

“I know. Funny, I can’t get rid of him now, when five months ago, I was begging to get him on the phone.”

“He loves you, Lauren, and he’ll be a great father to your child. So, finish getting dressed and let's go to lunch.”

I agreed and reached out for her to help me up.

“Lauren Armstrong is going to be a mother and I'm going to be an auntie.”

“Let's wait to see what the doctor says first. I’ll make an appointment tomorrow.”

“Are you going to tell him today?”

“No, I’ll wait until I have the confirmation. Hate to get him excited if it’s not true.”

“You need me to go with you?”

“No, I’ll be fine. We should go so we're not late and I’ll let Danielle know afterwards. This might hinder some plans with the next phase for the makeup line.”

Finishing the touches to my face, I changed into another wrap dress that Dominic loved to see me in. I prayed I didn’t show any signs of being sick and have everyone questioning me. I slid on my flat sandals and shades to follow Novah out to the car with Emmanuel driving. Novah hopped in the front and I shook my head at those two pretending to not have anything going on.

Emmanuel drove off into traffic and I checked my phone to see a new message from Dominic.

Dominic: I’m at the restaurant, baby.

Me: OMW!

“How are you feeling, Lauren?” Emmanuel asked.

“Good.”

“Sure? I heard you throwing up earlier,” he replied.

I shifted in my seat, clearing my throat.

“Just some bad food. All good now.”

We arrived ten minutes later, and Emmanuel parked, getting out and opening the door for Novah and I. She smiled and I pushed her to keep walking and stop flirting. Looking around, it wasn’t too busy, and I was grateful for that.

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