Page 48 of Exposed

“I’m pregnant!” she blurted out. I went stiff, removing my arms from around her waist.

She leaned up turning around in the tub to face me.

“Wow…”

“I know this is a surprise and I’m not expecting you to be there for me.”

“Hold on, wait a minute, Lauren.”

Lauren started tearing up and trying to get out of the tub. I grabbed her waist and pulled her back down.

“Stop running from me. Give me a second to take it in, you just sprang it on me.”

“Okay.”

“Baby, stop crying. I love you and I want this baby.”

“You do?”

“Listen, it caught me off guard and will probably take me a little time to get my mind wrapped around the idea of being a father, but yes, I’m happy about this and want to be with you.”

“Danielle offered me another contract.”

“For how long?’

“It would be for ten years with over twenty exclusive products and a holiday collection.”

“What about the baby?” I inquired, all the travel she did in the past wouldn’t cut it now.

“She knows and said I can take whatever breaks I need when I get closer to the due date,” she replied.

“Then I say sign and follow your dreams, baby. I’m not going anywhere. Who knows, maybe I’ll retire and become the next social media star,” I teased, kissing her cheek.

One week later, I sat around with Mark and Emmanuel drinking at his place. Charlie was out shopping with Lauren as well as Novah and Danielle. They’d become close over the past few days after we had dinner at Mark’s place and he introduced her to his wife. We heard a knock on the door and the last person I expected to see walked inside. I smiled standing up to shake his hand, and he pulled me into a one arm hug.

“Shooter, nice to see you,” Jackson said. I faked like I was boxing him, and they chuckled.

“Muffin, when did you get in town?” I asked, sitting back down in my seat.

“We flew in this morning. Catherine’s at the hotel with the kids. I decided to come check in on you guys,” Jackson said, giving Emmanuel and Mark a handshake.

“Have a seat,” Mark told him.

“What’s the topic of conversation, you look like a bunch of gossiping girls,” Jackson joked.

I waved him off.

“You want something to drink?” Mark asked, jumping up to refill his glass.

“Water is fine,” Jackson replied.

“I was filling them in on our plans for the security business.”

“Are you finally expanding?” Jackson questioned.

I nodded yes and smirked, taking a sip of my scotch.

“California,” I told him.

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