Page 58 of Misconception (Unrequited 2)

“I felt the baby,” I whispered. “When you started talking, I felt it.”

Mo’s head tilted back, a tentative smile curling his lips. “Yeah? Is that the first time?”

“I think so.” I rubbed the spot again. “It stopped now. That was crazy. There’s something alive in there.”

He got up and pulled me into another hug. “You think this means the baby likes me?”

“I’m going to guess yes. The baby likes you a lot.”

“How about the mother?”

I twisted my lips to suppress a smile. “The mother thinks you’re all right—for a rock star.”

“Guess I’ll take what I can get.”

I started to reply, but my headset crackled, and my assistant began rattling off something about a blown fuse and a missing caterer. “Okay, okay, okay. I’ll be right there.” I gave Mo an apologetic smile. “I have to work.”

“Got it. I’ll hang out, if that’s okay. Maybe go talk to Devon.”

I cringed. “Yes, of course I want you to hang out. But Devon? You can do better.”

He chuckled. “Go, be a hard-ass. I’ll find something to occupy my time.”

The next time I saw Mo, I was helping my assistant and a stagehand move a table full of catered food to a different area backstage. Yes, I wasn’t supposed to be lifting anything heavy, but there were three of us sharing the load. From the thunderous expression on Mo’s face, you’d think I was lifting an anvil on my shoulders.

I shook my head as he approached, but he kept on coming. “I’ve got this,” I said through gritted teeth.

“Nope.” He bumped me aside and took over, introducing himself to my assistant, George, and the other guy whose name I never caught. “If you see Michaela lifting heavy shit, please stop her.”

George had the decency to defer to me. “I’m not sure I’m comfortable doing that, sir.”

“You’re not, and you shouldn’t be, given I’m your boss and a grown woman. Thank you for your help, both of you.”

Mo laughed, and I saw red. “Don’t listen to her. She’s got too much pride to tell you she needs to be taking it easy.”

Holy fucking hell. This man had a death wish. George met my eyes, and we had a brief, succinct mental exchange.

He knows he’s a goner, right?

Sadly, I don’t think he does. Shame to have to kill my child’s father.

He deserves it.

Don’t I know it. He’ll be dead by sunrise.

George gave Mo a sympathetic look, then he and the other guy set the table down and scampered out of there.

“Don’t listen to me?” I hissed.

“Mic—” He tried to smile at me, but I was feeling likeCarrieafter she had blood dumped on her head at prom. If I could have murdered Mo with my mind, he’d be buried under a pile of rubble right about now.

“No thanks.” I held up my hand. “I’m too busy to deal with you right now.”

That was the truth. But I was also beyond pissed. An hour ago, I’d been excited for Mo’s unexpected visit. Now, I just wanted his ass out of here.

“Mic, you can’t be lifting shit like that. Your placenta could—”

“No thanks,” I said again with full force. “I’m at work, Moses. You just completely usurped my authority and made me look like a weakling in front of my employees. That is not okay.”

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