Page 2 of Pregnant By the Boss

“Oh crap!” she cries, her hand rubbing my back. “You’re still getting sick? I thought you’d have been okay by now.”

I roll my eyes, in the space of seven days since we’ve found out I’m pregnant, Cassie has become an expert on all things pregnancy related. “No, Cass, me and the toilet have a very special relationship. I love hugging it in the mornings.”

“Yep, bitchy is one of the side effects,” she says and I turn to glare at her, only to find her smiling at me. “I still can’t believe I’m going to be Aunt Cassie.”

Once the nausea has passed, I get to my feet. “Why aren’t you at work?” I ask her as we walk into the kitchen.

“I’m going, I just wanted to drop by and see how you are doing. You looked like crap yesterday and not much better today. I brought you some breakfast, all organic and healthy.” She starts taking things out of the shopping bag that’s sitting on the counter.

Containers of fruit: strawberries, berries, cherries, and mango. Organic yogurt, and a container that has some weird pink thing that looks like Pepto-Bismol.

“What’s that?” I question horrified at the chunks in the container.

She looks offended, “That—” she says placing her hand on her hip, “is a homemade smoothie.”

I blink. “Homemade smoothie?” I repeat stunned. I thought smoothies were supposed to be—smooth?

Her eyes narrow at me. “Yes, I made it myself. It’s still warm.”

“Um…” I have no idea how to say this without hurting her feelings, so I tread carefully. “What’s in it?”

“Pomegranate, apple, pink grapefruit, vanilla yogurt, dragon fruit, and watermelon.”

“It’s very pink.”

She smiles. “I know, I thought it would make you happy. Pink’s a very happy color.”

“Thank you.” I give her my professional smile, the one I use on Everett’s clients.

“You’re welcome…” She glances down at her watch. “I’ve got to go, I’ll call you this evening.” She pulls me into a short hug. “Try and get some sleep, hopefully you’ll feel better soon.”

“I’m going to have something to eat and then I’m going back to bed.”

Her smile widens, “Oh good. Enjoy the fruit.” She gives me a small wave as she leaves.

Glancing at the counter, a wave of nausea hits me at the mere thought of eating any of the food she brought. I put it in the refrigerator, as I can’t bring myself to throw it out. I make some toast and walk back to my room, I’ll eat and then sleep. Hopefully, the sickness will be gone by the time I wake up.

* * *

A poundingon my door pulls me from my sleep. Turning over, I see that it’s almost three in the afternoon, I slept for almost five hours. Damn, I didn’t intend on sleeping that long.

The pounding continues, getting louder with each bang. “Coming,” I shout as I get out of bed, thankful that I don’t feel the urge to rush the bathroom.

The banging stops and I’m wondering who the hell is on the other side?

Opening the door, I’m shocked to see Everett standing there. He takes one sweeping glance at me and shakes his head. “Christ, Say, you look awful.”

My eyes widen as I look down at my pajamas, I’m in an oversize t-shirt and not much else.

“What are you doing here, Everett?”

He pushes past me and into my apartment, I can’t have him here, he’s too close. His scent is invading my senses. This is too dangerous.

“I came to see you. We need to talk.”

Fuck! There goes my idea of not talking.

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