Page 56 of Love to Hate You

There are a million choices when it comes to choosing a pregnancy test and I’m clueless because I’ve never taken one. I decide to go with brand recognition and grab one that is pricier but that I’ve seen on TV commercials. I figure now really isn’t the time to be frugal. I need a very important question answered and I don’t need fuzzy, illegible signs to confuse me.

Back home, I tear the box open and read through the instructions. Yep, just like I thought. Basically, pee on the stick. After doing what needs to be done, I wait. And that is by far the worst part. My thoughts are all over the place.

I know that I have options. If I want to keep on the trajectory I’m going, the most logical decision is to terminate my pregnancy. Working would continue to be the most important thing in my life and no one needs to know that I was ever pregnant. Not Nash or the partners.

That future makes me incredibly sad. Which is strange to admit to myself because at one point, it would’ve been a dream come true. Finally making it to the top and looking down over all I accomplished.

As the minutes tick by, I consider every single possible scenario and outcome. Becoming a mother changes everything, the course of my entire life. Is that something I’m ready for?

Suddenly the meeting with Square Enterprises and remaining the President at TB Tech doesn’t seem quite so important anymore. I love my job and that hasn’t changed but the idea of a new challenge is always exciting.

My hand slides down over my lower stomach. If I’m carrying Nash’s baby, I would never be able to hurt it. Not in a million years. I might not know anything about babies or raising a family, but I know one thing for certain: I’m falling in love with Nash and I’m going to keep our child.

Telling Nash, though, is going to be a whole other story and I’m not ready to go there yet.

When the time comes, I look down at the stick I’ve been clutching and slowly flip it over. My stomach drops when I see it’s positive. I let out a long, low breath and the shock tilts my world.

I’m pregnant with Nash Beckett’s baby.

Holy shit.If you would’ve told me this a year ago, hell, three months ago, I would’ve said you’re completely insane. I hated Nash and he hated me. We were consummate enemies, out to beat each other at every turn.

But then the strangest thing happened, and the tables turned. I can’t even place my finger on when everything between us shifted but here we are and I’m about to take on the biggest challenge of my life.

I’ve always put career first and having a baby doesn’t mean that I need to stop working. But it does mean I can’t be President at TB Tech. My mind rebels against the idea of bowing out now but, in my heart, I know that even if I am the better choice, the partners will never choose me if they know I’m pregnant. They’re conservative, older men and they would want me to work less and focus on family.

I understand that but I also think the choice should be mine to make. No one else’s, including them and Nash. Unfortunately, that’s just not how life works and once again I’m reminded of the fact that I’m a woman trying to make my way in a man’s world.

I think it’s about time I take a step back from that world and focus on what’s best for me.

Morning comes far too quickly, and I put on my nicest suit. As I’m pulling my hair back, on the verge of twisting it into a chignon, I stop and instead shake it out, deciding to wear it loose.

I present at 9:00 a.m. and Nash follows at 10:00 a.m. We each have one hour to convince Square Enterprises to become a client and, to be honest, I’m not sure it’s even possible. I’ve been trying to lure them in for a year now. I guess we’ll see what happens.

I’ve spent months getting the presentation perfected and I know it like the back of my hand. When I arrive at Square, the receptionist escorts me into their conference room and they give me a few minutes to set up.

My gaze moves over the men and women as they walk in and I smile, introduce myself and shake everyone’s hand. After they all take a seat, I look out over the group and feel the usual excitement I get before an important presentation, but it’s also a little diluted. Like this time around, the outcome really doesn’t matter. I still give it my all and I spend the next 45 minutes convincing the directors here why they need TB Tech’s newest software.

After I finish, I know I accomplished my goal. From the looks they exchange and the smiles on their faces, it’s clear that we’re about to have a new client. They ask a few questions which I easily answer and then I’m done.

Happy that I did everything to the best of my ability, I walk out of the conference room and abruptly stop short when I see Nash. He looks so damn attractive in a classic black suit and crisp white shirt.

His mouth edges up. “How’d it go?”

“Knocked it out of the park,” I say with a smile.

“I’d expect no less, baby,” he murmurs.

For a moment we both stare at each other and then I start walking again. As I pass by him, I run my hand down his sleeve. “Knock ‘em dead,” I whisper and head toward the elevator.

I truly do wish him the best and back at TB Tech, I wait on pins and needles for him to return. In the meantime, though, I call my doctor’s office. I’m facing the window, telling the receptionist I’m pregnant when I hear a gasp behind me. Spinning my chair around, I see Ivy standing there with a file. She quickly sets it on my desk and scurries out.

Damn.Ivy Reeves is the last person I want knowing I’m pregnant. She has a big mouth and the hots for Nash. I guess there’s nothing I can do about it now except hope that she keeps it to herself for the time being.

After scheduling an appointment with the OBGYN, my cell rings. “Hello, Mark,” I say.

“Charlie! I hear you did an absolutely magnificent job this morning.”

“Really?” I say and a huge smile lights my face.

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