Chapter 17 Koda #2
Dana’s eyes crinkle with amusement. “Security cameras say otherwise. Already watched the replay.”
Of course she did. I grunt and shoulder my bag, turning toward the exit. Dana falls into step beside me.
“You know what’s weird, though?” She glances sideways at me. “You don’t seem nearly as pissed off as I’d expect. The Koda I know would be brooding for days after something like this.”
“Maybe I’m just evolving as a person.”
“I doubt it.” Dana stops walking, forcing me to turn and face her. “Something’s different with you. You’re walking around like you won the lottery even though you just got your ass handed to you in front of your entire class.”
Her eyes narrow, that scary CEO analytical look she gets when she’s piecing something together. I’ve never been able to hide anything from Dana. Even as kids, she could read me better than I could read myself.
I glance around the busy hallway where trainers and clients pass by. This isn’t the place for what I need to tell her.
I grab her elbow, steering her toward an empty office. “Come here, there’s something i need to tell you.”
Dana raises an eyebrow but follows without protest. I close the door behind us and set my gym bag on the floor. Then, I take a deep breath, unable to keep the smile from spreading across my face.
“Charlotte’s pregnant,” I tell her.
Dana’s mouth drops open.
“What? Are you serious?”
“Yep. She’s fourteen weeks along now.”
“Koda!” Dana launches herself at me, throwing her arms around my neck in a tight hug that nearly knocks me off balance. “I’m going to be an aunt!”
When she pulls back, her eyes are bright with unshed tears.
“This is incredible.” She grips my shoulders, searching my face. “How are you feeling? Is Charlotte doing okay? Have you told Jason yet?”
The questions come rapid-fire, each one requiring its own complicated answer.
I hold up a hand to slow her down.
“Charlotte’s doing great. Morning sickness is finally easing up. We haven’t told Jason yet, but we’re planning to tell him soon.” I run a hand through my hair, reality intruding momentarily on my happiness. “That conversation’s going to be rough.”
Dana grimaces in sympathy.
“He’s going to blow a gasket.”
“That’s putting it mildly.” I lean against the wall, feeling the weight of that upcoming confrontation. “I’m preparing for the very real possibility that I might lose my oldest friend over this.”
“He’ll come around eventually.” Dana squeezes my arm reassuringly. “Once the initial shock wears off.”
I’m not so sure, but I appreciate her optimism.
“Maybe.”
“So that’s why you’ve been so distracted lately.” She pokes me in the chest accusingly. “I thought something was up when you missed that budget meeting last week.”
I chuckle.
“Hard to focus on financials when you just found out you’re going to be a dad.”
Dana’s expression softens.
“After everything with Vanessa... this must feel like getting a second chance.”
The simple observation hits me right in the chest.
Dana’s always had a knack for cutting straight to the heart of things.
“Yeah. Exactly that.”
“So, when do I get to meet her?” Dana’s eyes light up with excitement.
I quirk a brow at her. “Meet who?”
Dana slaps me on the chest. “Charlotte, silly! It’s about time I meet the woman who’s going to be family.”
I can’t help but chuckle at her enthusiasm.
“What kind of meeting did you have in mind?”
“I want to have the two of you over for dinner.” Her voice carries that decisive tone she uses in board meetings. “Nothing fancy, just a chance to get to know Charlotte better.”
Something in my chest tightens at the thought. Dana can be... intense when she wants to be. The last thing I need is for her to overwhelm Charlotte with questions or make her feel like she’s being interviewed.
“Dana...”
“I’ll be on my best behavior, I promise,” she interrupts, reading my hesitation perfectly. “No interrogations. Just a nice dinner between family.”
I study her face, looking for any sign that she’s planning to grill Charlotte about everything from her intentions to her five-year plan. But Dana’s expression is sincere.
“Alright,” I agree. “When were you thinking?”
“I’m going out of town on business next week, but I should be back in two weeks.” She pulls out her phone and checks her calendar. “How about the Saturday after I get back?”
“That sounds good. I’ll talk to Charlotte and let you know.”
Dana beams and pulls me into another hug, this one even tighter than the first. “I’m so happy for you, Koda. You deserve this. You deserve everything.”
The emotion in her voice catches me off guard. Dana’s not usually one for sentiment, but pregnancy announcements have a way of bringing out the softer side in people.
“Thanks, sis.” I return the hug, grateful for her support. “It means a lot.”
She pulls back and straightens her blazer, slipping back into professional mode. “Now get out of here before I start crying and ruin my makeup. I have a meeting in ten minutes.”
I grab my gym bag from the floor and head for the door. “Try not to terrorize the board of directors too much.”
“No promises.” Dana’s already pulling files from her briefcase, but she looks up long enough to give me one more smile. “And Koda? Tell Charlotte I can’t wait to meet her.”
I nod and step out into the hallway, pulling the door closed behind me. The main gym is still busy with afternoon training sessions, the familiar sounds of weights clanging and trainers shouting encouragement filling the air. But for once, the chaos doesn’t center me the way it usually does.
My mind is already at home, imagining Charlotte’s reaction when I tell her about Dana’s dinner invitation. She’ll probably be nervous. Hell, I’m nervous, and I’ve known Dana most of my life.
But as I push through the glass doors into the parking lot, I can’t shake the feeling that this is exactly what we need. Charlotte’s been so worried about telling people, about how everyone will react to our relationship. Having Dana in our corner will make facing Jason easier.
At least, I hope it will.