Page 104 of Body Shot

I realize I’m spinning out again, overthinking every detail before I’ve even had a chance to digest the information, but that’s how I do things. I’m not the type who’ll wait around for a few weeks to let things settle. I need to have a plan immediately.

The only kink in my hurried-and-unorganized-planning is what to do about Anders.

If I tell him I’m pregnant, he’s going to want to talk, make decisions, and probably move in together.

I want all of those things, but not because of a baby. If we’d already discussed moving in together, it might be different, but even then, I know he doesn’t want a baby right now.

God, this is a clusterfuck.

I don’t know what to do and I can’t tell anyone.

Not yet.

First thing I have to do is make an appointment with my gynecologist.

Then, depending on what happens, I have to cancel Thanksgiving with Anders.

And I’m not looking forward to either of those things.

THIRTY-EIGHT

Anders

I’m on a plane,flying to St. Louis, when my phone buzzes and I see a text from Claudia pop up. I quickly open the app so I can read it.

CLAUDIA: Hey, I have bad news. It looks like we’re going to have to cancel Thanksgiving. I have to fly to L.A. first thing Friday morning—we’re starting the project with Cathedral Air early. And I have to spend part of Thursday prepping for the meeting, not to mention packing. We’d barely have any time together. I’m so sorry. I didn’t know this would happen.

Disappointment rips through me.

I can’t understand her having to work on a holiday weekend like this.

ANDERS: They want you to work over the holiday?

CLAUDIA: The client says it’s the perfect time to see their current software set-up in action since it’s one of the busiest air travel weekends of the year. It will help me understand the changes and updates they’re going to need, since I’m the one who’ll be doing the coding. It’s a whole thing.

ANDERS: Damn, baby, I don’t know what to say. Your job comes first, obviously. I’m just disappointed. I miss you.

CLAUDIA: I know. I’m really sorry. This just came up today and I figured I should tell you right away, so you can change your flight or whatever.

ANDERS: All right. I’ll take care of it. It was in first class, so I can make changes. Also, we still need to firm up Christmas plans since we didn’t book your flight and they’re filling up.

CLAUDIA: I’m going into a meeting that will probably last all afternoon. Can we talk about it tonight?

ANDERS: Sure. Talk later, sweetheart. XOXO

No response.

She’s already gone.

I sigh and lean back in the seat.

This sucks.

We knew her job would throw some obstacles our way, but this was very unexpected. Hockey takes me away for so much of the year, I hate that we’re losing out on time together, especially over a holiday. And now I have no plans.

Dammit.

“You look like someone kicked your puppy,” Jordan says to me.

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