Page 77 of Beautiful Storm

Amelia: I’m just leaving my office. I can meet you somewhere

She’s just leaving? Jesus.

Luke: Does my place work?

Amelia: Yep. See you in twenty minutes

I pull into my driveway, but don’t bother going inside. Instead I sit on my front steps and wait. It’s a nice night, and if I’m honest with myself, I’m too anxious to do anything else.

My phone buzzes in my pocket and my stomach sinks, expecting her to cancel, but when I check the screen, it’s Reed.

Reed: I’m here if you need me. Anytime

Some tension releases in my shoulders and I can’t help but smile as I think about him defending Amelia today. I don’tusually openly share any of my business, but who knows, one day I might take him up on that offer. For now, there’s one person I need, and she’s almost here. But am I really ready to talk?

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Amelia

What the hell am I doing?

I subtly rub my belly as I wait for the light to turn green. I should have been at Luke’s by now, but instead of taking the direct route, I took the scenic drive, delaying the inevitable. Trying hard to focus on the city lights and my relaxing playlist so I don’t spend the time talking myself out of it.

Tomorrow I’m supposed to be getting married… and today was a mess of all messes to say the least. I narrowly avoided being outed on TV. Thank God, the live broadcasts were at the other side of the field. Not that anyone really knows who I am, but if one person did, the media would be all over it.

For some reason, Preston hasn’t bothered to make our breakup public knowledge among his fans, so it would result inpeople either assuming he’s the father, or dragging my name through the mud for cheating on him. Both shitty options.

God, for someone who prefers to live behind the scenes, I attract the wrong people into my life. First, Preston and now, Luke.What am I doing?Why couldn’t I have accidentally gotten pregnant by a small-town accountant or mechanic? At least then I would have someone to do my taxes or fix my car rather than someone with the potential to propel my life into the spotlight. Although I suppose Luke got my car fixed, so maybe an accountant would be best.

My phone buzzes as I drive, and I don’t need to see the screen to know it’s Hayley checking in on me. I texted her after my chat with Tom and I wasn’t in a great place. Sure, he was pleasant enough, just like Jim had been when I’d first told him about my pregnancy, but he wasn’t subtle in alluding to this being my last big project for a while. With a baby in my world, it would be impossible to work the long hours needed in this job—not that I want to work that much when the baby comes along, or at all—but after a while, when I’m not breastfeeding and can look into daycare options…maybe, I’ll go back. God, I haven’t thought about what that would look like, but it’s not going to be easy. It’s hard enough finding work in this industry, let alone finding work that would allow me to have any kind of relationship with my child.

Maybe I should have been thinking about this before now.

When I finally arrive at Luke’s, he’s waiting out front, most likely convinced I wasn’t going to show up, and he wouldn’t be completely off base. We may not be making it official until tomorrow, but the fact that he wants to talk now suggests that our time is up and there’s no going back.Unless that's what this is? Is it him, taking it all back?

And if it is…I’m not sure I’d be sad about it. I’m not sure aboutanyof it.

All I know is that it’s hard to remain the independent woman I promised myself I’d be after leaving Preston, when I’m about to marry a man for his money. It’s been a month and I’ve yet to come to terms with it. Because do I really need it?

I’ve been to the emergency room once in my thirty-two years and that was after the fire incident with Luke. I mostly eat healthy. Mostly. At least I do now. And I keep fit when I have the time and the headspace. Have I let myself get run-down during times of stress? Yes. But would I ever do anything to jeopardize the health of my unborn baby?Hell no. Since finding out I was pregnant, my every decision has been about my baby.About Jelly Bean.Wow. Luke was right, it is better using that name. Because of Bean, I’m no longer the first in the office, letting myself sleep in when I need it. I eat when I’m supposed to, drink plenty of water, and take my prenatal vitamins. I’m listening to my body. If something ever felt off, I’d be the first to ask for help. But does that mean I need the best insurance? Plenty of women have babies without it.Daily. Just because I have a high-profile baby daddy doesn’t mean I’m going to need it.

But what if I do?

How can I take that risk?

I put on a smile as I get out of my car and wave as Luke stands. “Are you okay?” he asks, his scrutinizing gaze locked on my face, pulling me out of my crazy thoughts.

“Of course.” I laugh nervously. “Why wouldn’t I be?” I wait until I reach him before adding, “I’m soon to marry San Francisco’s most sought after bachelor and I’m pregnant with his baby.”

Luke’s face drops as he releases a breath. “Thanks for the sarcasm,Joy, but I was being serious. What happened after you left today? Why were you there so late? They didn’t fire you, did they?”

His obvious concern gently tugs at my heart, but I try hard to ignore it. “I’m sorry,” I say honestly, my shoulders relaxing as I glance up at the sky and blow out a breath of my own. “They didn’t fire me. They were great about it, but things will be different after this project. And while I never expected otherwise and I wouldn’t want them to be the same, I hadn’t really thought it through.”

“I understand that but it must still be upsetting.”

“Honestly, I’ve been focusing my thoughts on life during pregnancy, and about marrying you, I haven’t really thought much past Jelly Bean’s birth, apart from writing a list of items I might need.” Luke smiles at my use of his nickname and I huff out a laugh. “Sorry again. You don’t need to worry about what happened today. I’m fine. And we have other things to discuss. Tomorrow’s our wedding day. Right? So yay.” I smile wide while Luke stares at me with a pissed-off expression.

“Okay.” I laugh. “I’ll drop the sarcasm. Thank you,” I say seriously and I mean it. “I appreciate you stepping in when Jake turned up. And I appreciate your concern, and your text.”

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