Chapter 38
Nova – a woman who thinks she’s been keeping a secret from her friends
Nova
“I don’t know why this party has to be at Hideaway Haven Resort, ” I complain as I drive Maya and Paisley toward the resort where Lucas has set up a surprise party for Chloe.
“I think it’s romantic,” Maya says. “They’re having a do-over of their wedding reception, but this time they’re in love.”
“I’m just glad the resort is now carrying our beer,” Paisley says. “Good job on landing the account, Nova.”
My cheeks heat when I remember how I landed the account. My methods weren’t part of any business class I attended in college. I glance down at my belly. And I wouldn’t recommend them.
“Does this mean you get to see more of the sexy owner of the resort?” Maya asks.
I scowl. “I don’t want to see Hudson any more than I already do.”
“But you never see him.”
That’s not exactly true, but I am not clearing up her misconception.
“Which is exactly the way I want to keep it.”
“I don’t understand,” Paisley says. “You clearly find the man attractive. Why don’t you want to see him?”
Thank the smugglers in heaven, we’ve arrived at the resort because I am not answering her question. I park, switch off the engine, and jump out of the car. My stomach cramps and I place a hand over it. This is not the time to throw up. You’d think I threw up enough today already. You’d be wrong.
“What’s your hurry?” Maya asks as she rounds the car to where I’m standing.
“We’re supposed to be waiting in the lobby when Chloe and Lucas arrive.”
Paisley checks the time. “They should be here any minute. Let’s get inside.”
The foyer is crowded with guests. I spot Sophia with Flynn and her brother Weston and join them.
“I can’t believe Chloe is the second one of us to fall in love and the first one to get married. My money was on Maya,” Sophia says.
Maya’s cheeks heat. “I’m not in a hurry to find love,” she whispers.
Weston smirks. “Because you’re waiting for a certain someone to come home.”
I elbow him. “Don’t embarrass her.”
He doesn’t get a chance to answer before Lucas and Chloe arrive and everyone cheers.
“Awesome. The couple is here. I’ve greeted them. Time to go find some company for the evening.” Weston wiggles his eyebrows before wandering off.
Sophia frowns. “I can’t believe my brother is such a man whore.”
Flynn kisses her cheek. “I’ll keep an eye on him.”
“Don’t forget you promised to drive home,” she shouts after him.
“I can drive you home if you drink too much,” I offer.
She narrows her eyes at me. “Aren’t you drinking?” I shake my head. “Why not?”
I can hardly tell her the real reason. I’ve barely acknowledged the truth myself. I shrug instead.
“Not feeling well.”
She frowns but doesn’t comment. My friends are used to my hypochondria. She threads her arm through my elbow. “Come on. We’ll get you some seltzer water.”
She leads me to the ballroom with Paisley and Maya following us.
“This is beyond romantic,” Maya says when we enter.
I smile as I look around. “Agree. I’m happy Chloe found happiness.”
Paisley nods. “Me too. She was very lonely.”
“She wasn’t lonely,” I insist. “She had us. What else could she need?”
Maya points to Chloe and Lucas standing with his parents. “Him. She needed him.”
Sophia sighs. “Since Chloe’s found love, there’s no one around to make fun of Maya’s romantic tendencies.”
Good. I’m glad. No one should make fun of Maya. She pretends it doesn’t bother her, but I know it does. How could it not after how her parents acted?
Paisley studies the seating chart. “Our table is over there.”
“Meet ya there. I’ll get the drinks.” Sophia skips off to the bar where Flynn happens to be.
“She’s going to be a while,” I mutter as I weave my way through the tables to ours. I read the nametags to find my spot. I scowl when I notice who’s seated next to me. “Why is Hudson invited?”
“He’s a client,” Paisley says.
“It’s a huge account.” As the financial wizard of Five Fathoms Brewing , Maya is well aware of how big an account the resort is.
Which is why I pushed and pushed until Hudson agreed to give our beer a trial run. My stomach flutters. I may have pushed too hard.
“Here, we go.” Sophia arrives with a bottle of champagne and four glasses.
I hold up my hand when she tries to hand a glass to me. “I’m driving.”
“And she hasn’t been feeling well,” Maya adds.
I smile to hide how annoyed I am with her. She’s not supposed to tell anyone I haven’t been feeling well. Although I didn’t make her promise to keep quiet. Maybe I should have.
Sophia hands me a glass of ginger ale. “Here you go, spoilsport.”
“I’m not a spoilsport.”
“No, she’s not.” Paisley points to my stomach. “She’s pregnant.”
I gasp. “How do you know?”
Sophia slams her glass on the table. “It’s true? Why does Paisley know and I don’t?”
Maya holds up her hand. “I didn’t know either. I mean, I suspected. But I didn’t actually know.”
“You suspected?” Sophia asks.
Maya motions to me. “She’s been throwing up every morning at work. Haven’t you noticed?”
“I have,” Paisley says. “I also noticed she hasn’t been drinking. Not even champagne to celebrate our friend’s marriage, which could only mean one thing.”
“I’m pregnant.”
“Yes.” She nods. “The only question I have is who is the father of your baby.”
“You’re pregnant! Who the fuck is the father?” Hudson shouts, and I cringe. Where did he come from? “Were you fucking him when we were together?”
I stand to face him. “Can you please stop shouting the f-word?”
He gets in my face. “Who is the father of your baby?”
I push him away. “Do not shout in my face.”
“Fuck. Sorry.”
I glare at him. “Do you know any words besides the f-word?”
“Do you know who the father of your baby is?”
He can’t be serious. Does he think I’m a slut? Before I know what’s happening, my hand is slapping his face.
“You are, you jerk. I don’t sleep around.”
He captures my hand. “Let’s go.”
“Go? I’m not going anywhere with you.”
He leans down to whisper in my ear. “Do you want to discuss how you’re carrying my baby in front of the entire island?”
I scan the room. Sure enough. Everyone in the place is watching and listening. Even Chloe is making her way across the room with a smile on her face.
“Fine. We’ll discuss this in private. But I don’t need you to drag me.” I wrench my hand from his hold.
“Follow me.” He leads the way to a door marked private.
I wasn’t planning on revealing my pregnancy to my friends let alone the father of the baby today but I no longer have a choice. I eye the patio door leading to the deck and pool area. Unless I decide to make a run for it.
Nope. I’m not a runner.
I straighten my back. I can do this. I’ve survived much worse.