Page 19 of Enemy Ex's Secret Baby

The reporter raises an eyebrow, holding her recorder up.

“Getting into business with your friends is hard. We’ve had knock down drag out fights over certain things. Even the style of chair you’re sitting in right now.” I clasp my hands. Be careful… “The protests over the Seton lot are my project and mine alone. I don’t expect her to get involved. And, from my understanding, Axel’s business…” You didn’t have to say his name, why did you fucking say his name, “…is his business in the very same way. Just because they share the name doesn’t mean she has to pick a side.”

That’s all I have to say on the subject. Sometimes, it drives me nuts that Lola won’t just say, “Gillian, you’re right.” I know she believes in the things I believe. But she’s under the thumb of her family. I can respect that.

My family would never make me choose, though.

“Thank you for your time, Ms. Solace.”

“Of course, thank you for coming in. Now, let me get to those brownies.”

* * *

Later in the day, Lola and I are both behind the counter. It’s slowing down, around four o’clock. Customers have learned our pastry case gets sad looking around this time.

We’ve got the radio playing, both doing our duties. Not really speaking except to work around each other.

I’ve been…quiet around her as of late. It’s hard to look her in the eye when I’ve gone behind her back and done the one thing I’m not supposed to do.

Especially after I’ve already done it once before.

The song on the radio comes to an end and the host starts yammering. “Protests continue over the development of the Seton lot in Silver Lake.”

Lola groans. “Not again.”

I chuckle. “Sorry. You can turn it off if you want.”

She glares at the radio and then shakes her head. “I can’t help it, I’m curious.”

“Axel Hitchins gave comment in interview with beat reporter, Brenda Collins,” the host says.

“It’s admirable,” Axel’s voice comes through the radio. I feel my body clam up. I haven’t heard him speak since he was in my home, our bodies intertwined in forbidden lust. The sound makes me immediately wet. “But we know how this will end.”

Even if I want to punch him in the face.

“Seton Elementary and the Silver Lake community do not have proprietary claim over the lot. The work-arounds that the protesters have found aren’t substantial enough to make me worried.”

“Do you have anything to say to Gillian Solace, leader of this movement?”

The blood leaves my face.

“Uh. No comment.”

It was the best answer he could have given, and yet, it infuriates me beyond belief.

Suddenly, the radio turns off. I look back at Lola. “What’d you do that for?”

“Your knuckles are white,” she says softly.

I look down at my hand clutching the wet rag I’ve been using to wipe up the counter. Sure enough, white as she said. I release the rag and unclench my hands. “Sorry.”

“It’s okay. I just don’t want you getting worked up about it.”

That’s like telling water to stop being wet. Yet, she couldn’t possibly know the depth of why I feel like this.

“You can talk about it, you know? I won’t get upset,” Lola says. She tries to remain as neutral as Switzerland on the issue, but she does lend an ear when she can.

But the things I need to say aloud…the things I’ve never said to anyone are things she can never know.

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