Chapter 25
Chapter Twenty-Five
Lucas
I went back up to my apartment and immediately poured myself a drink.
Taking it out on the terrace, I leaned against the railing and stared out at the brightly lit city.
For her to get so upset about me not attending her doctor’s appointment was ridiculous.
I didn’t need this shit from her. I had enough going on with my father coming back to town.
I cared for her, and the last thing I wanted to do was upset her, but she really pissed me off by saying what she did.
We both just needed tonight to cool off and come tomorrow morning, things would be good again between us.
The next morning, I climbed into the car and looked at Thaddeus.
“Where’s Jenna?”
“She told me she would be getting herself to the office from now on. Am I to assume something happened between the two of you?”
“She’s just being childish.” I sighed.
Before going to my office, I stopped by Jenna’s, and she wasn’t there, so I walked into the break room, where I found her making a cup of tea.
“No coffee this morning?” I asked as I stood behind her.
“You’re being disrespectful of my personal space. Remember what happened the last time you did that? I would hate for that to happen again since I’m holding a cup of hot tea this time.”
I took a few steps back.
“Better?”
“Much.” She walked out of the break room, and I followed her. “You’re still mad at me for yesterday?”
“No, Lucas,” she spoke as she set her cup down on her desk.
“Obviously, you are.”
She walked over to me and placed her hand on my chest as her eyes stared into mine.
“What happened last night is done and over with. We both had our say, and it’s in the past. Let’s leave it there. I’m not mad.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“Then that’s your problem.” She took a seat behind her desk.
“If you’re no longer mad, have dinner with me tonight.”
“I can’t.” She looked up at me.
“Why not?”
“Because I have a prenatal yoga class.”
“A prenatal yoga class. Since when?”
“Tonight is my first class.”
“Then we’re having lunch. I’ll pick you up at noon.” I walked out of her office.
We ended up at The Capital Grille because Jenna was craving their signature burger and truffle fries. When we sat down, she ordered water and some hot tea while I ordered a scotch.
“How did your doctor’s appointment go yesterday?” I asked with caution.
“I told you yesterday it went fine.”
“Listen, Jenna. I apologize. Okay? I didn’t realize it was that important to you that I be there. I promise I’ll go with you to the next appointment.”
“It’s fine, Lucas. Let’s forget about it. As you said, you have enough to worry about with your father returning to town. I have to pee. I’ll be right back.”
“Here’s your scotch and your wife’s tea and water,” the waitress spoke.
“She’s not my wife.” I immediately corrected her.
“Oh. I’m sorry. Are you ready to order, or do you want to wait until your girlfriend gets back?”
I let out a sigh.
“She’s not my girlfriend either. Just because a man and a woman are having lunch together doesn’t mean they’re a couple. And yes, we’re ready to order. We’ll both have the signature burger with everything on it and the truffle fries.”
“I’ll get that in right away, and I’m sorry for assuming.”
Jenna walked back to the table and sat down.
“I ordered our lunch.”
“Thanks. I’m starving. Why is there not a breadbasket on the table?”
“I think you only get that at dinner.” I smirked. “We really haven’t talked much the past week. How have you been feeling?”
“Good.” She picked up her glass of water.
“Just good?” I asked because she was being vague.
“Yeah.” She smiled.
The waitress walked over and set our plates down in front of us.
“Thank God. I’m starving!” Jenna said as she shoved a fry in her mouth.
“How far along are you?” The waitress asked her.
“Twenty-four weeks.”
“I’m fifteen weeks.” The waitress placed her hand on her small belly, and I sighed.
“Congratulations. You’re so tiny still.” Jenna grinned. “But wait. One morning, you’ll wake up, and that belly will be popped out.”
“I can’t wait. Anyway, enjoy your lunch.”
“Did that make you uncomfortable?” She cocked her head at me.
“It was a little weird. Don’t you think?”
“Not at all.” She took a big bite of her burger. “It’s no different from you boys talking about your penis size.”
“Really? We do not do that.”
“I think you do.” She scrunched her face. “In fact, I know you do. One time, I was sitting in a bar, and there were two guys next to me, and that’s all they talked about.” She shoved a fry in her mouth.
I just sat there and shook my head at her.
“What? It’s true.” She smiled.
“What time is your yoga class tonight?”
“It’s from seven until eight.”
“Why don’t you come up to the penthouse tonight? It’s been a while.”
“I don’t know. I might be too sore after yoga.”
“Then let me do all the work.” I gave her a smirk. “You know I’m good with my hands. I can make all your soreness go away.
“Okay. I’ll come up after I shower.”
“Good.” I gave her a wink.
Jenna
Before we left the restaurant, I had to pee again, so I told Lucas I’d meet him in the car. As I washed my hands, the waitress who served us walked in.
“I just have to ask you something before you leave,” she said.
“Of course.”
“Are you J. Elle?”
Shit. How did she know?
“How did you know?”
“When you were in here earlier, the guy you’re with told me that you were not his wife or his girlfriend when I mentioned it, and when you told me how many weeks you were, I just put two and two together.
I love your podcast. You have no idea how much you’ve helped me so far.
When my boyfriend learned I was pregnant, he took off and said he wasn’t ready to be a father.
I’m twenty-one years old, and I’m scared shitless to raise this baby on my own.
But after listening to your two podcasts, I don’t know.
I feel more confident now and empowered. ”
“Aw.” I reached over and hugged her. “Thank you.”
“No. Thank you. Please keep doing what you’re doing. I’ve read all the comments, and you’re helping so many single pregnant women.”
“You have totally made my day?—”
“Natalie.” She smiled.
“Natalie, you are a strong woman and got this, girl.”
“I know.” She looked down.
“Listen, I have to run. He’s waiting for me in the car.”
“He’s kind of a jerk,” she said, and I laughed.
“Yeah. He can be.”
When I climbed into the car, Lucas looked at me.
“What the hell took you so long?”
“Ask your daughter.” I cocked my head at him.