Page 35 of Naughty Festivities

“I’m an adult too. I know what goes on,” she said, and he shared a look with Traitor Greg that saidno, she did not.“I’m not just your mom. I hope you’re treating her with respect. You should invite her to Christmas.”

Lucy continued chuckling, and he kicked her under the table.

“I’m not bringing her for Christmas. We’re just—”

Fuck.

“What?” Lucy asked, then burst out laughing some more.

Jesus, he was a lawyer. A U.S. Senator.

Get it together, man.

“Hanging out.” He turned to his mom. “Sorry, but it’s too new and not serious enough to warrant bringing her home, mom. I promise to be a gentleman.”

“Bullshit,” Greg sneezed into his hand.

Even Jack had to laugh this time while his mom told Benjamin and Ethan to block their ears and glared at them both.

Jack had a feeling it was too late for those two monsters.

Just as the meal was ending, his phone beeped. Ignoring Lucy’s stupid smirk, he tugged the phone out of his pocket, expecting to see Amelia’s name.

Cindy.

What was she doing messaging him? She was on vacation as far as he knew. Lifting his napkin and patting his mouth, he pushed the chair back and stood. “I need to take this. It’s work.”

“That’s his work face. It is.” Lucy announced like it was of national importance.

Dork.

Jack rolled his eyes, walked down the half to his father’s old office, and closed the door. When he swiped the screen and saw the text, his blood turned cold.

We need to talk.

I thought you were on vacation.Jack replied as a heavy dread threaded through him.

A minute later, Cindy replied.We need to meet.

I’m in Philadelphia. What is this about?

....

....

His heart began to pound. Every message on their phones could be audited, as they were government issues, so he hoped she had enough sense not to say something stupid.

He dialed her number.

“Jack,” Cindy answered.

Jack?She never called him that. It was either Senator Rutherford or sir. And it irked him that she thought she could get that personal with him. Which, yes, he realized, was ironic.

“What’s so urgent that you need to speak to me during the holidays?” he asked, keeping it professional.

“I’m pregnant,” she said, and his brain froze.

What the fuck?

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