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"Good, good," he says quickly, and I notice quite distractedly I don't even think he heard what I just said because that would be a huge acquisition for the et it

Bobbing his head up and down on his bulky fra then of nervousness, which causes my nerves--which are already quite frayed--to fire up

"So listen," Mr Wagoner says to h final interviews for the director of acquisitions position We should have a choice made within a feeeks"

"That's wonderful," I say with genuine smile

While things are going well for me at this point, it's only because the ood leads for me to follow up on But I don't have the contacts he did in this industry and I know there's going to come a time when I run dry I just don't have the necessary experience and this was only ever meant to be temporary

"Yes, yes," he says, the repeat also a sign that he's nervous talking to me "It's wonderful news indeed But I actually have soood news to tell you about"

My stomach flips over and I know fronancy it is in no way associated withsickness as I'm still too early for that I incline my head toward him and wait for him to finish

"As you knoe've been seriously underfunded for the last few years, and while the gala last ling to et constraints"

"Let uess," I say softly "My job is on the line"

Mr Wagoner's face turns soft with e to combine the director and assistant curator's responsibilities into one job The person we're hiring will be doing your job as well"

"Howwith the implications of what this means to me

"At least a ives me a tiny ray of hope "But we don't want to lose you We're actually looking to see if we can move you laterally into another department"

I'h, and I'll i for a new job This ordinarily would not be so that freakedto take very good care of ht years old, pregnant and have no real job security now I need health insurance and I need money to put a roof over my head and food in my belly to ensure the baby is healthy If I can't find a job that meets my needs, t

his whole pregnancy thing is about to get a lot scarier

"I'oner repeats "This is the part of my job I hate the most But ork hard to see if we can find a place for you here with us Obviously, I will give you an excellent reference letter and I' very quickly"

I nod at hioner You don't kno much that would mean to me"

His smile back to me is sad but relieved to have that over with and he leavesthe door behind hiertips to e the pain away I closehow et any more complicated

I hear a soft knock on my door and I slowly raise roan as I take in a bigthere

Luc Fournier at the threshold to my office

"You okay?" he asks, his expression worried

I put on a coht as I'd like it "Yeah Totally fine What are you doing here?"

Luc apparently takes that as permission to come into my office and he takes a seat in the only extra chair I have across from my desk He leans back, props one of his ankles over the opposite knee, and grips the armrest casually with his hands

"We didn't get a chance to talk the night before last," Luc says quietly "You kind of rattled me with the news"

I nod in understanding because I've been rattled ever since I took that honancy test

"I was going to email you," he continues "But that see to call you, but that didn't seeht either So I decided to come here to see you"

"What is there to talk about?" I ask hiets the paternity test back, I assumed he wouldn't worry about this

"Are you considering an abortion?"