Page 6 of Piper

“You are so going to make this up to me.”

“I promise.” She gives me a hug around her large belly. “Thank you so much. I owe you big time.”

“You definitely do,” I grumble. “You can start by having your husband stop by my place to pick up Romeo.” When I travel, Jenna and Wild babysit my spoiled kitty.

“Didn’t you get a cat because they’re pretty self-sufficient?” Jenna laughs.

“Don’t remind me.” It’s not my fault I somehow found a needy kitty. He hates being left home alone for long stretches of time and likes to demonstrate his displeasure on my shoes.

Keeping Romeo happy is the reason Dillon and I always stay at my place. I wouldn’t have any heels left if I dared to leave him at home without supervision for several nights a week.

* * *

While sittingnear my gate at the airport, I pull out my phone to text Dillon my plans. Even though we don’t have a committed relationship, I don’t want him to worry when I don’t show up at his house tonight.

Me

I had a last-minute meeting come up in Houston. I’ll be gone for a few days. I’ll let you know when I get back.

He usually responds pretty quicklyif he isn’t in a meeting. I wait patiently for his response, but none comes.

A few minutes later, they announce boarding for my flight, so I turn my phone off and grab my carry-on. God, I hope I don’t end up spending the entire flight fighting the urge to puke up my guts. Yay me. I’m quickly discovering that pending motherhood is so much fun.

I somehow manage to sleep the entire flight and wake up as the wheels are touching down. While I’m waiting for my luggage, I turn on my phone to see a whole slew of missed messages.

Hot Stuff

What meeting?

Hello?

When are you leaving?

I need to talk to you and it can’t wait.

Piper, answer me!

I’m going to spank your ass red for worrying me like this.

Why ishe acting unhinged all of a sudden? Then it hits me why he’s freaking out so bad. A while back, a crazy nut held me and the other girls hostage at the magazine office. Since the incident, Dillon has had this weird tendency to keep tabs on me. In fact, it’s almost like we’re in a real relationship.

Out of the blue, I remember the test stick hidden in my purse and wonder if there’s another reason he’s acting crazy. Did he somehow discover my little secret?

Before I have time to talk myself out of it, I dial his number but instantly lose my nerve. I’m about to hang up when he answers. “Where are you?”

“I already told you. I’m in Houston. Our new photographer screwed up the entire layout, and Jenna needed me to come and straighten it out.” I see my hot pink suitcase come sliding past and attempt to grab it while juggling my phone against my face. “What’s going on with you?”

“I need to see you, and it can’t wait. It has to be today.” Oh, man. I’m starting to think he did somehow find out about the baby. He’s never acted like this before. Usually, I reassure him I’m fine and he backs off. Another thought hits me. Surely, he wouldn’t be this worked up unless I mean something to him. I’m not going to lie, I kinda like knowing he isn’t immune to me.

“I’ll be back tomorrow or the next day. It’ll have to wait until then.” I’m almost grateful for the time away. It gives me time to come up with a plan for handling this situation. While I don’t want to use the pregnancy to force Dillon into a permanent relationship, I also can’t imagine raising our child as a single parent. It’s a catch twenty-two with no obvious way out.

While she’s calmly explainingthat I’ll have to wait a day or two to see her, I’m booking a flight to Houston. My little spitfire has no fucking idea what I’ll do to see her.

“What are you doing with Romeo?” I can’t believe I’m worrying about her cat at a time like this, but the little fucker has grown on me.

“He’s staying with Jenna and Wild.” Good. Dickhead can spend his night keeping the picky cat happy.

How the hell did my life become a comedy?I think before asking Piper, “When is your meeting?” I need to get as much information from her as possible.

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