Chapter 10
TEN
ZOE
I’m still in a daze the following morning.
After a wonderful meal of garlic and herb chicken with the creamiest mashed potato I think I’ve ever eaten, Declan washed the dishes and then retreated to his room to watch television.
I slept better than I have done in ages.
Scrubbing my face with my hands, I head into the kitchen to make some coffee to start the day.
I’m going into work this afternoon to talk to Jason and Chrissie—the owners of the company who bought my app. As I’m partway through the final year of my contract, and this is the year things ease up, I’m hoping they’ll be receptive to the time I’m going to need to take off.
I close my eyes as the coffee machine does its thing, and breathe in the aroma of a freshly made brew before pouring a cup and turning to leave the room.
“Good morning. ”
Crash .
The cup shatters when it hits the tiled floor, spraying hot coffee everywhere. A few drops splash on my legs, and they sting but only for an instant.
I shriek, and stand completely still, surveying the damage.
“Oh shit. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to give you a fright.”
I hold up my palms. “It’s okay. It’s my fault. I forgot you were here.”
My racing heart slows and I raise my gaze to take in the sight of Declan standing in my kitchen. He’s shirtless, his pyjama pants sitting low on his hips.
That’s not fair.
Why does he look so gorgeous in the morning, and I probably resemble a cat dragged through a hedge backward?
“I’ll clean up, Zoe, and make you a fresh cup?” His eyes dart around the room. “Stay there a second. Do you have a mop?”
“In the hall cupboard.”
He reappears moments later and brushes the shattered pieces of mug out of my way so I can leave the kitchen. “Go and sit in the living room. I’ll bring you a coffee when I’m done.”
I gingerly make my way across the cold floor and into the living room before dropping onto the couch.
What an idiot.
Where was my brain this morning? I woke up feeling pretty good considering the past week I’ve had morning sickness and been barely able to stomach breakfast. But my mind must have been on another planet to have forgotten Declan’s presence in my home .
He’s not really forgettable.
I’m so lost in thought that I jump again when he brushes my cheek with his thumb.
“You’re so cute when you’re flustered.”
I glower at him but take the mug he’s holding out for me. Cute? I’m mad at myself for what just happened. Who forgets when they have Declan O’Leary in their spare room?
Is this baby brain?
I frown.
“Hey, it’s not that bad.”
He drops onto the couch beside me and places his cup on the coffee table. Extending his arm, he reaches out and pushes a stray lock of hair behind my ear.
I force a smile. “I’m sorry. I was away with the fairies. Truth be told, I forgot you were here.”
Declan chuckles. “You’ve lived by yourself for a while, I assume. It takes time to get used to living with people again.”
He caresses my cheek before dropping his hand, and I close my eyes briefly as I miss his touch. There’s no denying he still has an effect on me.
I will not crush on him.
I can’t.
He’s here for the baby—not for me. I have to remember that.
“Your foot’s bleeding.”
I look down. It’s only a drop of blood, but I wince when he plucks a sliver of mug out that I didn’t even realise was there.
“Got it. Where’s your first-aid kit?”
I swallow hard. “Um, bathroom cabinet. ”
“Stay here. I’ll be back in an instant.” He gives my knee a reassuring squeeze and I blow out a breath as he goes to the bathroom and returns with a plastic box.
His gentle hands caress my foot, and he slips the Band-Aid over my cut before running his hand up to my ankle and placing my foot back on the ground. “I know you’re going out this afternoon, but rest it.”
“It’s just a tiny cut.”
“Maybe, but it’s my fault.”
I shake my head. “No. I hadn’t had coffee at the time. Caffeine’s what I need to wake myself up.”
“Well, for future reference the coffee goes inside you, not on the floor.”
I slap his bicep. “Be quiet, you.”
Declan grins. “Living with you is going to be fun.”
“I’m not sure about that. Wait until I’m bloated and angry at the world.”
He chuckles. “You’ll still be adorable.”
How can I argue with that?
I draw in a deep breath as I approach the boardroom.
I’m in the office less and less as my contract comes to a close, but I don’t want to presume that Jason and Chrissie will be okay with the amount of time off that I’ll need—even if my pregnancy goes okay.
They’re waiting for me when I enter the room and slip into a chair next to Chrissie.
Her brows are knit—I haven’t told them what this is about and she’s probably concerned as I’ve not called them together for a meeting since the sale was done and dusted. I haven’t had to. This integration has gone so well, we’ve only really had our scheduled project meetings and haven’t had to get together over anything else.
“I’m sure you two are wondering why I wanted to meet with you.” I hold up my palms. “It’s nothing bad, but in the interests of the open and honest working relationship I have with you, I wanted you to know I’m pregnant.”
Chrissie’s mouth falls open. “I didn’t think that was what was about to come out of your mouth. Are you … happy?”
I sigh. “Well, it’s taken a bit of getting used to because I didn’t plan on it happening. I’d like to say it won’t affect my work until the baby’s born, but I think we all know that’s not true. For now, things are good, but I’m not really sure what the future holds.”
“Can I just say something?” Jason leans on the table, knitting his fingers together.
I nod.
“It’s okay, Zoe. Most of the handover is done, and we knew there wouldn’t be three years’ worth of full-time work.” He smiles.
I breathe out a sigh of relief. I lucked out with the deal I took. It wasn’t the most money, but it was with a company that seemed ethically aligned with my own beliefs, and the reason why I created the app in the first place.
“Besides, you’ve done far more than we’d ever thought.” Chrissie picks up the conversation. “Instead of just consulting, you’ve played an active role in integrating your app into our servers, and honestly, you can just put your feet up and coast the rest of the year. Not that I’d imagine you’ll get to do much of that, being pregnant.”
I sniff. “You’re so good to me.”
“You’ve increased the value of our company by so much more than we ever imagined. The site is doing well, and our reputation out there for client safety is second to none. We’ll keep you on the project emails, and if you want to, you can dial into the meetings, but no stress.” Chrissie grasps my arm. “I’ve got two of my own, so I know how demanding pregnancy can be.”
“Thank you. I didn’t know how well this would go down, and …”
“It happens. We knew we were a good match when we did the deal, and you could have not said anything, but I’m glad you did.”
I leave the office with a spring in my step. It’s like everything is falling into place.
My pregnancy might have been unplanned, but it seems to have come at a good time in my life. Whatever happens with Declan, I’ll be there for my child no matter what, and I can provide for them.
My mouth waters as I step into my apartment, and the aroma of tomato floats through the air. I’m not sure what he’s cooking, but Declan stands at the stovetop, stirring something in a pan.
“Honey, I’m home.” I laugh at my own joke before shaking my head.
He turns, his eyes glistening with amusement. “Good day?”
I draw in a deep breath while walking toward the breakfast bar. “Yeah, it was. I’m just going to ride through the rest of my contract. If they need me, they’ll let me know.”
He grins. “Great. I’m making my world-famous spaghetti bolognaise.”
I laugh. “World famous?”
“Well, in my own house. But I’ll share with you.” He winks, and I let out a little sigh before catching myself.
“I should think so.” I lean my elbows on the bench. “Seeing as I’m carrying your heir.”
Declan snorts with laughter, and I join in, loving the sound.
I thought at least in these early days we’d be tiptoeing around each other, but it’s almost like we’re a couple already.
Already ?
That might never happen.
And that’s beginning to be a depressing thought.
“I need to call my parents. They don’t know I’m pregnant yet.” Today seems as good a day as any given how well it’s going.
“Want me to sit in on the call?”
My eyes widen. “You’d do that?”
“In this together. Remember?”
I blow out a breath. “As grateful as I am, I think I need to do this alone. Maybe introduce you later?”
He shrugs. “Whatever you think. As long as you know I’m here for you.”
“I think you’ve shown that already.”
“Go and make your call. I’ll have dinner ready when you’re finished.”
I pat the bench. “You’re so good to me.” He gives me a pleased smile before I walk away.
After grabbing my laptop from my desk in the living room, I carry it into the bedroom and close the door behind me.
My parents will be at home—it’s around three p.m. on Sunday afternoon there. This is the time I would usually call them. I haven’t spoken to them in a couple of weeks, which isn’t unheard of but also isn’t like me, so they’ll probably already know there’s something up.
I take a deep breath and hit the call button.
It takes a few moments, but my mother’s face soon fills up the screen and she beams a smile at me.
“Zoe. I wondered if you’d call today. It’s so good to see your face.”
“You too. Is Dad around?”
Her brows twitch. “Sure.”
“I wanted to talk to you both.”
She smiles. “I’ll go and get your father.”
Video calling was something I had to teach my parents about when I left New Zealand and talking on the phone wasn’t enough. Mum often had to lay eyes on me to make sure I was okay in that first year, and Dad can be a bit overprotective with me being their only child.
“Hey, sweetheart.” Dad smiles as he appears on the screen. Mum joins him a moment later. “You okay?”
Might as well dive on in.
“I’m pregnant.”
Both of them stare at me as if I have two heads. Of course they know I have sex—I’m thirty. I’ve had relationships both short and long, but nothing that ever got close to me having a baby with someone.
“I didn’t know you were dating,” Mum says.
I bite my bottom lip. “Well, the thing is, that I’m not.”
They exchange a glance, and I roll my eyes.
“Are you okay with this?” Dad says. “Do you need to come home?”
I fight a smile. He asks me this every time we talk no matter how good or mundane the news is I have for them. Deep down, he just wants me back under his roof.
“No, I’m fine. I’ve still got to the end of my contract to work through. Besides, this year the workload is winding down, so I’ll be working from home all the time.”
He nods slowly.
“What about the father?” Mum asks. “Is he … in the picture?”
Breathing out a long, slow breath, I choose my next words carefully. “He is. Actually, he just moved in with me yesterday because he wants to be there for us.”
“Oh.” Mum frowns. “So you are seeing him?”
I shake my head. “No, we’re not together. But he wants to do right by the baby. I told him he didn’t need to, but?—”
“The man clearly has his head screwed on straight. Are we going to meet him?” Dad asks.
I shrug. “Maybe? I’m not sure when.”
“This all sounds very weird.” Mum and Dad exchange another glance, and I fist my hands.
“I had a one-night stand with him. That was all it was supposed to be. And I told him he didn’t have to be there for us, and I could do it alone. ”
Mum gasps.
“There’s something else I should tell you,” I continue. “Eventually something will come out about it because of who he is. He’s an actor—Declan O’Leary.”
Dad’s brows rise and Mum’s eyes widen.
“He’s a movie star?” she asks.
I nod. “He is.”
“I’m sure I’ve read stories about him in the magazines. Is he really who you want as your baby’s father?”
I roll my eyes again. “It’s not like I chose this. It just … happened. And Declan’s a good guy. Like I said, I gave him an out, but he didn’t take it.”
Dad sets his jaw. God only knows what he’s thinking. Declan’s just ten years younger than my father—Declan’s 45 to Dad’s 55. They’re closer in age than Declan and I am, and I’m sure the second we’re off this call, he’ll be searching for anything he can find on him.
“I usually trust your judgement, but are you sure?”
I nod. Even if I have doubts, I’m not about to admit them to my parents. Will Declan stay the course? I have no idea. Maybe if I knew him better I might be more confident, but I’m not and I’m not sure how a man who’s led such a big life would be content playing house with me.
“We have to work this out for ourselves. I love you guys, and I wanted you to know that you’re going to be grandparents, so please trust me to do what’s right?”
Dad frowns and Mum nods. I’m not sure I can win this battle.
“So, uhh, other than that, work has been really good. My workload was going to be a lot lighter these next few months anyway, and at the end of the year I’ll decide what I’m doing next. Although I’ll have the baby by then and I’m sure I’ll be busy with other things.” I laugh, trying to lift the mood.
“I’m happy for you,” Mum says. Dad stands and walks away, and I let out a sigh. “Give him some time, Zoe. He’ll come around. Whatever happens, you know we’re here for you.”
“I know,” I whisper. “I just wish he’d treat me like an adult.”
“It’s hard when your baby grows up.” She smiles. “But you’ll be a good mother, and I’m here whenever you need me, even if you have to call me at some ridiculous hour.”
“Thanks, Mum.”
“I’ll go and check on him. Take care of yourself and please let me know if there’s anything I can do. I love you.”
“Love you too.”
With the call disconnected, I sit and gather my thoughts. That could have gone better, but it could also have gone a lot worse. Dad’s cautious—I know that. He’s taken care of me more than once when my young heart’s been broken.
But Declan and I aren’t together.
This is different.
Isn’t it?