Page 13 of Knocked Up

Grace

Cyrus’s giant hands sit on either side of my face as his tongue tangles with mine.

I’m not sure I’ve ever felt this feeling before. It’s a mix of warmth and comfort that I’ve read about in books, but didn’t believe it existed. I’m sure it’s because this whole thing is new and a little forbidden. That’s how hormones work, right? In reality, under the pressure of everyday life, we’d be a train wreck. He’d remember he prefers women who have their lives together, and I’d remember how much I love my newfound independence.

My phone rings in my pocket. “Oh, I bet that’s the guy at the city. He said he’d call me with an update before the day was over.”

“Go ahead.” Cyrus kisses my forehead and holds me close as I answer the call.

I’m almost shocked by his supportive response. If I were to have been interrupted while with Jason, I’d never have heard the end of it.

Stomach knotted, I answer the phone. “Hello.”

“Grace,” the gruff man on the other side of the line sighs as though the call itself is annoying, “it’s Brooks from the town planning department. How are you tonight?”

“Good. I, ugh, how are you?”

“Fine.” He pauses and there’s silence that goes on for far too long. “I’m calling about the playground you proposed. Do you have time to talk?”

I glance toward Cyrus who offers me a smile in support.Man, it’s going to be hard telling him to leave.

“I do. What are you thinking?”

“To be honest,” he says flatly, “I’m having trouble wrapping my head around the logistics of a playground. I know you said it could bring families together, and I liked the part where you mentioned how it could support community spirit,” he drags in a deep breath and I’m sure the end of my dream is coming, “but we live in the forest. These kids should be outside climbing trees and exploring. We don’t need to make the town all gaudy with some bright pink swing set.”

“With all due respect, kids will still be climbing trees and playing outside. This is meant to be a—”

“Please stop talking. I’m going to approve your project, Grace.”

A buzz of excitement tips me up onto my toes as a grin spreads onto my face. “Really? I thought by the way you were talk—”

“There are a few caveats. One, I’d like to put Mrs. Robinson on the project with you. She’s our oldest resident and I think she has a good touch point for what would work in town. Second, this project is contingent on you coming to work for the town clerk’s office. It’s probably not your dream job, but it’s Monday through Friday, you’ll be off work by three o’clock, and the pay is fair. Your friend Zoe gave me a call and said you might be interested.”

“Yeah!” I’m overly excited and it shows. “I mean, yes, that sounds great. Umm…what about the baby, though? I’m about to give birth any second.”

“We’ll get you started beforehand and go from there. To qualify for maternity leave, you’d just need to sign something saying you plan to come back to work for at least a year once the leave is over. In the meantime, work with Mrs. Robinson to put a team together to get it done and don’t ask me any more questions. We’re hiring you because I’ve got enough shit on my plate.”

“Yes, of course.” I want to ask him how to get a hold of Mrs. Robinson, but he’s just said no more questions and I don’t want to press my luck. “Thank you.”

“Have a good night.” The line disconnects and I stare toward the man at the table who I should most definitely ask to leave.

“That was the town planning guy.”

Cyrus nods. “How’d it go?”

“He just approved the playground and offered me a job at the city. Apparently, Zoe pulled some strings. I owe her a huge hug. She told me they were hiring, but I ignored her. I didn’t think they’d be interested because of,” I rub my hand over my stomach, “this.”

Cyrus pulls me onto his lap. “Brooks and I have been buddies for most of our lives. He’ll be a good guy to work for. I think you’ll be happy there… once you get used to him.”

I can’t stop smiling. Maybe that’s what scares me. Nothing ever goes this well for me. I work constantly, I barely make ends meet, and I’ve spent way too long with a man who treated me like shit.

The feelings I’m having now aren’t real. They can’t be.

“You should leave.” I blow out a breath and ignore the dizzy ache that washes over me as I say the words, “I’m sorry.”

His brows narrow and he stands from the chair, towering over me. “What happened? Did I do something wrong?”

“No. You’re helpful, you’re protective, you’re kind, you’re really hot,” I blow out a breath, “but you’re also like twenty years older than me and you’re a man. So, eventually, you’ll turn into whatever the real version of you is, and I’ll feel like an idiot for falling for all this.”

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