Page 37 (1/1)

I zip ure out up from down Ruffled from more than the sex, I’m too bereft to even have blue balls over her departure I can’t answer her, even as I listen to Lia fight with the door I hear it open at last, and it catches on the lock without closing I’ll go home soon and fix the door on ood here today Not noith the smell of sex heavy in the air and her scent all over me

I shut down my co the picture of Tasha alone couldn’t have caused Lia to run, could it? Did she tell her dad already and he’s upset? Is she losing the baby, despite saying she wasn’t, and can’t tellnone, I zip up and try to feel relief over that sainst my doorjamb, her lab coat open to shohite sheath dress beneath that is“Can I help?”

Re the latch and hoould prevent the door froh and shake my head At least Jean didn’t catch, I close the latches and stand “What can I do for you, Jean? Lia has already left for the day” There’s nothing I can think of that I owe her depart is underway, and my part of it is taken care of

“You could let me turn that frown upside down, Beck” She crosses the space between us with an overexaggerated sway of her hips on each step “You’ve been alone too long You need a worasps the bottom hem and lifts it up “And I need a real man That husband of hter than he is with my needs” She’s bare beneath

Livid at how she would make such an advance on me—her boss—and while married, I shove her away from me “No, Jean You’re married, and I aain I’ll let this lapse in your judgeo for Lia’s sake and for the fact that you are a valuable eet out” I can’t bring myself to call for security; I don’t want that debacle I just want to get home and think about Lia I’m too worried about her and our baby for anyone else to ht now

6

Lia

It’s hard to hideit towith each word She needs ive her my undivided attention To to focus on hihter

Or one of his daughters, if I’ht, and I iine what he or she is like I haven’t dared so nancy site for fear of Jean orto tell her “me too!” but keep my mouth shut as she continues

“It’s too early to tell anyone according to the book Chris got at the library They suggest waiting until after the first trimester, which is like twelve weeks, in case…” Her voice trails off in a sad whiet her to stop crying start up again

“You’re fine, Tasha,” I proht now Have you called your doctor?”

Her voice is shaky, but after blowing her nose she is able to forain “She won’t see me until after next hen I miss a second period” I know if I told Beck that Tasha needed in to see the doctor, he would h She deserves the chance to tell hi?” He can’t be as excited as Beck I steal a glance at my purse where the card and toy are hidden I shouldn’t have acted like that toward Beck, but he caughtI can keep this a secret fro