Page 16 of The Secrets that Surround Us

Right then, my ovaries swoon. And for the first time, I think maybe I accidentally picked the right guy for once. That’s when my stomach ruins the moment, reminding me that its hungry with a huge growl. Everyone’s eyes move to mine. I shrug my shoulders. “What? I was coming in here to eat when you asked me.”

Alex grabs me, pulling me deeper into the kitchen. “Let’s get you something to eat, love. Can’t have the baby going hungry, now, can we?”

With that proclamation, he lets go of me and heads to the pantry, grabbing everything he needs to make a favorite ramen dish, my favorite meal.

Chapter eleven

Fiona

After Alex made a really delicious ramen, Mateo, Cecilia and I head to the gym while Alex stays home with Oliver. Butterflies erupt in my stomach at the idea of him spending time with Oliver to practice being a dad. He’s been taking this whole thing so seriously that he’s actually helped to keep my nerves at bay.

From what I gather, he rarely spends much time with Oliver by himself, so the fact he’s taken this step is huge. As I pull my camera out of the carrying bag, I glance over at Mateo and Cecilia. They’re standing in the corner smiling at each other, even as they discuss how they want the shoot to go. Both keep brushing up against each other as if it kills them to not be touching. My heart softens when it’s obvious how much they love each other. I can’t help but hope that one day I’ll have that with someone. Maybe possibly even with Alex.

He’s been great, making sure that all my needs are met, except for one. We haven’t touched each other since we made our little bean, and now that I’m not puking up my guts every few seconds, it seems my hormones have taken over. Every time I’m in the same room as Alex, or even thinking about it, my body seems to light up. And all my pussy wants is some part of him on her. I’m not sure what to make of that. Coming together in that way seems like it would complicate things more, but I know it’s not a solution for us to be celibate for the rest of our lives, either.

“Fiona, are you okay?” Looking up from my camera bag, I find Cecilia standing right in front of me. Shaking away the thoughts of Alex being with someone else, I busy myself once again as I pretend to check the battery life on the camera.

“I’m good,” I chirp, hoping I sound more upbeat than I’m feeling.

“Are you sure? You had a pissed off look on your face.” She raises her brows, waiting for me to answer.

Shaking my head, I place the camera strap around my neck while keeping my eyes from hers. “I’m fine. I was just thinking of something, and I became unreasonably mad for no reason.”

She smiles at my response, and her eyes soften a bit. “Did it have something to do with Alex and the baby?”

“Yeah. How did you know?”

“Well, if you’re anything like me, then you’re probably constantly freaking out about the baby and wondering if you have a future with Alex.”

I take a step closer to her. Something about her helps me relax, and I feel safe confiding in her. I look around to make sure Mateo can’t hear me. “Yes, I think about that a lot, but right now, it seems to be more centered on Alex sexually.”

She lets out a big laugh. “Shh…Cecilia. I don’t want Mateo to hear.”

“Don’t worry about him. So your hormones are going crazy?”

“Yes, but I’m not sure that’s just it. Lately I’ve been finding myself having dreams about the way the future could be if Alex and I were together with the baby.”

She nods her head. “Have you talked to him about it?”

“No. As much as I want Alex, I’m not sure it’s a great idea. Besides, I don’t want him to feel pressured to be with me or more than he already is.”

“Fiona, have you seen the way he looks at you? That boy is smitten. You need to talk to him.”

“Maybe.”

“Listen, ya’ll are in a tough spot. But why not have some fun while you’re trying to figure it all out. You’re limiting yourself.”

“What if it doesn’t work out?”

Shrugging her shoulders, she leans in with a smirk. “But what if it does?”

Right then Mateo walks up, interrupting our talk. “Are you ladies ready?”

“Yes,” we reply in unison.

I spend the next two hours taking pictures of Mateo and Cecilia in different parts of the gym. Mostly, it’s of Mateo showing Cecilia how to work on certain machines. Dexter and a few of his other trainers show up as well, so I take a few pictures of them too. Once we’re done, we stand in Mateo’s office looking at his computer screen going over the pictures I just took.

“I like that one.” Cecilia points to the picture of Mateo, showing her a self-defense moves. Everyone smiles softly at the picture, since we all have heard the story of how they met. “It will be good for the marketing brochures.”

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