Page 24 of Salty Pickle

Joe and Penny exchange another glance. “We’re not sure. Nobody knows him very well.”

“We should fix that.” The adrenaline starts to wane, and exhaustion threatens to take over. “I should get back to his office. I didn’t finish my lunch.”

“You were eating lunch in Mr. Armstrong’s office?” Penny asks.

“Of course. Is that weird?” I carefully shift Matilda off my legs so I can try to stand. It won’t be easy from the floor, not with this belly.

“No, no, of course not.” Joe extends a hand, and I gratefully accept it.

A deep rumble of a voice comes from behind. “I’ve got it.”

It’s Court, and he doesn’t look pleased. Matilda goes rigid, so I wrap my arms around her. “Now, now, girl. That’s enough.”

“I’ll take her.” Penny grasps the leash close to the collar and gently tugs Matilda away.

Joe releases my hand as Court bends down to put an arm around my shoulders. This is way more familiar than what Joe was attempting, and I can feel them looking at us as Court hauls me to my feet.

“I’m having his baby,” I tell them. “But we’re not a couple.”

I feel rather than hear the growl in Court’s throat. Oh, I shouldn’t have said that.

When I’m upright, I shake Court off. “I’ll take Matilda from here.”

“You sure?” he asks.

“Absolutely.” Normally, Matilda would walk easily by my side, but she has an issue with Court for some reason. So I leave her on the leash.

“Thank you both! I’m sure I’ll see you again!” I wave behind me as I move down the hall, not waiting on Court. If I can keep Matilda from looking at him, she’ll be easier to manage.

“Stop by I.T. anytime!” Penny calls.

I can feel Court’s rage like a wall of heat pushing me forward. He’s really mad. I walk more quickly as we pass the elevators.

It’s quiet now, and only Devin waits in the hall outside Court’s office. He moves from behind his desk without a word, opening the door.

“Please come with us,” I whisper as I pass. I don’t want to face the angry beast alone.

He waits for Court to enter, then follows us in and closes the door.

I tug Matilda to walk alongside me to the round table and bribe her to stay with another piece of lettuce.

We make it fewer than five seconds before Court roars, “Why did you say that?”

If this had been a cartoon, my hair would have blown back and all the food on the table would have fallen over.

But this is real life, and he’s possibly justifiably mad that I spilled his business in front of Penny and Joe, who are probably telling everyone that the barefoot woman with a goat is pregnant with his illegitimate not-love child.

“I’m sorry,” I say. “I shouldn’t have brought up our relationship.”

“You think?” Court paces the room, his hands clasped on his head.

“It was bound to get out anyway,” Devin says.

“Like my goat?” I can’t stop my giggle.

Devin quirks a smile but quickly straightens his expression when Court turns around.

“We haven’t established that this is my child. Until it is legally handled, I would appreciate you keeping the alleged paternity to yourself.”

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