Page 36 of Dirty Grovel

The sound of our child’s heartbeat is still fresh in my ears. My pride doesn’t seem as insurmountable as it did before I left for the doctor’s.

In fact, it seems like a small thing.

Easily put aside.

Happily overlooked.

I’m about to cross the street, tap on Oleg’s shoulder, and tell him that I’d taken the paternity test just like he wanted me to—when a smile spreads across his face.

But it’s not aimed at me.

It’s for the benefit of the tall, leggy blonde strutting down the street towards him.

Some small part of me shrivels up on the inside. My throat dries; my eyes tear up. The light seems to dwindle.

All I can see is Oleg and the woman he’s been waiting for.

It’s like they’re walking in slow motion towards each other.

The blonde stops in front of Oleg and they share a kiss. Not on the lips, but it’s so close that it hardly makes a difference.

He says something to her and she laughs—a light, airy sound that makes me even more self-conscious.

Apart from the fact that we’re both blonde, I share nothing in common with this woman. From her obvious zero percent body fat, skinny legs, and expert makeup, she looks like she’s walked right off the runway and right into Oleg’s arms.

Whereas me…?

I look like I’ve walked right out of a trailer park and right into a situation that’s way over my head.

Oleg puts his hand on the small of her back and they disappear into a café to the right.

I stand there, long after they’ve disappeared, wondering where I fit into this.

Or if I fit in at all.

12

OLEG

Swimming has quickly replaced my gym workouts.

Not because I enjoy it more.

Not because it’s more relaxing.

Not because it’s better exercise.

But because it means that I stand a greater chance of running into a certain somebody.

And the chances that she’s going to be wearing another scandalous bikini is high.

She’s usually at the pool by now, putting that gorgeous body of hers to work.

But today, it’s quarter past ten and she’s still a no-show.

Thankfully, I have enough to occupy my mind. For one, the last virtual board meeting I’d called—one that excluded Boris, of course.

I think I’ve finally managed to convince all the members that ousting him is the only viable way forward for the company. It’s an easy enough case to make, considering the money he sunk into the dead deal with the Martineks.

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