Page 13 of Baby, Be Mine

Yes, part of me missed the stage, but the thrill of acting was so entwined with Pierre, it had lost a lot of its spark.

My hand immediately slipped under my belly as we went down the stairs. Now I had this new spark that needed me.

Almost as much as I needed him or her. Though I was pretty sure the baby was a her. I couldn’t even say why, but something about the baby felt a lot like me.

And we’d be okay together, dammit. No matter what I had to do.

Even if it meant I strapped this kid to my chest while I planned the best parties in this damn town.

We reached the bottom step, and I stilled Mason before we went out the side door to the dock. “Look, I know this isn’t the most ideal situation for either one of us, but give me a chance, okay?”

Mason’s deep blue eyes were so serious. The laughter from before was gone, and in its place was wariness.

Before he could answer me, I gave him my brightest smile. “Let’s just go talk for a few.”

“I have a feeling that smile gets you what you want a whole lot.”

I shrugged. “Not gonna lie. My charm is one of my best assets, but it also works in your favor. Did you know I talked a company into sponsoring my entire production ofA Streetcar Named Desireas a junior in college?”

“I’m sure that’s impressive.”

“The entire show. Have you ever looked at a playbill? There’s usually a lot of sponsors. And I did it on a shoestring budget. Myself, Mr. Brooks. Without anyone’s help because the cast was filled with a bunch of idiot college students who were more excited to smoke up and drink than to figure out the specifics of production.”

“And you weren’t?”

I moved in front of him to stare into his eyes. To make him hear exactly what I was saying. Because a play was obviously not in his wheelhouse, but juggling all the moving parts of paying for the production could be easily slotted into things he could understand.

Just spit it out, Em.

“I may look like someone who is more at home enjoying a party than planning it, but I can assure you I excel at planning, executing, and juggling a production staff of fifty people. I was made for this job.”

“And why aren’t you in the city trying to do that on Broadway?”

I pointed to my stomach. “My former fiancé turned out to be a less than standup guy. And you know what? I’m damn good at pivoting.”

A sharp pain radiated up my back and around my belly and it took everything inside of me not to grab onto Mason. I needed to make him see just how good I’d be for him and this restaurant.

Just hold on, Bean.

Mason narrowed his eyes. “Are you all right?”

I rubbed the side of my belly. “Just this little future soccer player is using my ribs for practice.”

He winced. “Do you want to sit down?”

“Nope. I want to see the boat.”

“Are you sure? It’s really hot out there.” He looked over at the busy dining room and I could feel all the gazes glued to us.

I shook my hair back. “I want a closer look at the barge. It was very impressive when I drove in today.”

“You drove?”

I laughed. “How else would I come here for the interview?”

He glanced down at my belly. “Mom van?”

“Not yet. Once you give me this job, I’ll be looking into that.”

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