Page 58 of Unwilling Vow (Mafia Marriages 4)

22

Twenty Weeks Pregnant

Olivia

It seems like I barely see Jace. He’s busy with work or getting the new house prepared for the baby. He’s had everything from the other home brought over for the nursery.

Sure, we share a meal at night, and he drives me to and from work when he’s in town, but spending time with him outside of business is few and far between these days.

Will he live in the mansion after the baby is born instead of his other home?

Why have two properties so close together? Usually, a person’s second home is like a vacation home, some place far away. Both properties are within driving distance.

It’s obvious the man has a treasure trove of secrets, but they’re not mine to delve into. I respect that I can’t and won’t know everything about him. But I know enough.

He’s genuinely a good person. Jace would go to the ends of the earth to protect his child. And that’s good enough for me.

I practically waddle as I walk. The baby is growing faster than I would have thought, and I swear I look nine months pregnant, but I’m nowhere near ready to deliver. Maybe I just feel incredibly self-conscious about the fact I’m carrying someone else’s child.

The girls at the office have asked when I’m due, who the father is, the whole shebang. I avoid as many questions as I can, and I’ve never divulged that it’s Jace’s or that I’m a surrogate. Maybe I should tell them the last part, because won’t they want to see baby pictures?

That assumes that I come back from maternity leave to work at the reception desk. Which I don’t think I will.

It’ll be better, a clean break. Besides, Jace is paying me enough that I can invest in myself, maybe do something I like for a living instead of making ends meet.

There’s an art gallery I’d love to apply to be a curator. Even more, my dream would be to paint and sell my artwork, but I haven’t done much painting lately.

And there would be no questions if I start over—a fresh slate.

Jace stops by my desk, a cup of coffee in his hands.

I breathe in deeply. I can smell the savory aroma from the coffee. I haven’t touched caffeine in weeks. I’m doing everything that I can to ensure the healthiest baby that I can for Jace. I rest a hand on my abdomen, feeling a slight flutter.

“Is he doing somersaults?” Jace asks, a wry grin as he brings the mug to his lips. Like he’s trying to hide the smile on his face. His eyes still shine just as brightly.

“Yes, on my bladder,” I say with a chuckle. “I’m about ready to head out.” We have a doctor’s appointment, and Jace insisted on accompanying me, which is fine since it is an appointment regarding the little nugget growing inside me.

I shut down the computer and stand. I step around my desk and join Jace near the elevator. He’s careful to keep his hands to himself, but to me, it’s so obvious that something is going on between us.

Whenever I go anywhere, either Jace or Matteo accompanies me out of the office. I’m sure the rumors are spreading like wildfire, but no one has said anything to my face.

Besides, in a few months, I’ll be gone. This will all be behind me.

The elevator dings, and Jace holds it open, letting me step in first.

I wait until the doors shut and we’re alone before speaking my mind. I don’t need to offer up any rumors either. “Do you want to know the sex?” I ask.

We haven’t talked about whether we should find out at the doctor’s appointment, but the last time we went, they said we should think about it. We didn’t have to decide anything right away.

“Do you?” he asks.

I laugh under my breath and roll my eyes. It’s his kid. It doesn’t matter what I want. I’m doing this for him. “Nope, that decision is entirely yours,” I say, resting a hand on my belly. “You’re the father.”

His tongue darts out along the edge of his lips, like he’s thinking something but not speaking. He’s not one to hold his tongue, which just makes me further frustrated.

My hormones have been terrorizing me, desiring him day and night. It’s madness, and that simple little gesture is driving me crazy. “Well, make up your mind,” I snap.

I expect him to take a step back, to avoid me at all costs. But he doesn’t.

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