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the  maid s kid, I had to wonder how it was all going to go.
And then there was the far future that I tried not to worry over. I know that I d be much less stressed if
I stayed focused on the here and now but I don t intend to be a maid forever. Once I ve had the baby
and gotten back on track with my life I fully intend to continue to pursue my dream of becoming a
Physician s Assistant. That was going to mean not coming here every day. By then, if Alex and the
baby have a relationship how will I take him away? Then there was the other sinister, ugly little
thought that seeped into my mind unbidden and unwelcome sometimes. What if he decided he wanted
the baby and he tried to take him away? I wanted to believe he d never do that, but I ve seen first-
hand how much control his lawyers have. The thought of Cassandra being my child s caretaker made
me shudder. I would never let that happen, no matter how far or how fast I had to run.
 Hello Victoria, I heard his voice behind me. I finished folding his wife s black lingerie and put it in
the bag before I turned around.
 Hello, I said.  I was just getting Mrs. Reigns things packed. Did you need me to get yours ready
too?
He smiled. Something inside of me melted.  No thank you, Vicki. This is a business trip. I ll just need
my suits which are already in the wardrobe bag. I can pack my own underwear.
 Oh, I thought it was a vacation. I mean, I m sorry. It s none of my business anyways. Embarrassed
and again chastising myself for being so forward, I turned back to my work. I felt a jolt of electricity
race through my veins, starting at the spot on my shoulder where Alex had laid his hand. I turned back
towards him, dangerously close to his face and those full, soft lips.
 Don t apologize to me, Vicki. I know that you work for me, but I d like to also think we re friends.
Friends are allowed to make conversation with one another.
I nodded, only because my mouth was too dry to speak. I was watching his mouth as it moved and I
barely heard the words because all I could think about was how badly I wanted to kiss him. I was a
mess. Maybe it was the hormones. Maybe once this baby was born I could stop lusting after my boss
and think about getting a real life again. I knew one thing for sure; when I looked at his face I didn t
believe that he would ever try and take my baby& at least I didn t want to believe it.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
VICTORIA
I woke up on Thursday morning having strange, tight feelings in my abdomen. It wasn t really pain,
just a tightness that wasn t there before. I took a long hot shower before getting dressed for work and
that seemed to relax it some. When I made it to the kitchen, Liz and Gloria were having breakfast.
 Good morning, sunshine. There is French toast and bacon on the stove.
 Thanks, Liz. I think I need tea and crackers today.
With concern in her eyes Liz said,  Why? What s wrong? You shouldn t still be having morning
sickness. You re too far along for that.
I smiled to alleviate her anxiety. Just as she was looking at me, one of the tight feelings turned into a
painful cramp. I willed myself not to wince. I didn t want to worry her.  No, not morning sickness.
Maybe just a touch of a stomach bug or something& I m sure it will pass.
 I have to get to work, ladies. Gloria got up from the table and took her dishes to the sink.  You girls
have a good day.
 You too! We both told her. I made my tea and when I sat down with it at the table, Liz was still
looking at me funny.
 What is it? I asked her.
 Are you sure you re alright? Are they working you too hard at the mansion? You shouldn t be over-
doing it. You re so close& 
Smiling I interrupted her and said,  The most stressful thing I ve done all week is pack Mrs. Reigns
expensive underwear and swimsuits. I m fine, really. As I assured her of that, my stomach clenched
again.
She made a face at the mention of Cassandra and said,  Where is she going?
 She went to Belize with her husband.
 He s taking her on vacation when you re so close to having his baby, really?
 Liz, first of all, it s a business trip. Second of all, she doesn t know this is his baby. Third of all and
most importantly, she s his wife, not me.
 He s really lucky this is you and not some other woman. Any other woman would have told his wife
by now and had this splashed all over the tabloids.
 Maybe, I said.  But I don t think he deserves that. I honestly believe he is doing his absolute best
with all of this, just like I am.
She snorted again and stood up with her dishes. I had a hand on my belly.  Are you sure you re okay?
I can call in to work& 
 I m fine, I told her again.  You can t call in. You re a minion for the parade today.
She laughed,  Yes I am. I ll be stuffed tightly into a yellow suit gasping for fresh air all day. Whoo
Hoo! Love my job. She was being facetious. She really did love her job. I d gone and watched her
character stuff before at the theme park. She was great.
 I have to go to work in a few myself. Have a great day, okay?
 You too, she said, still with a worried look.  You call me if you need anything okay?
 I will. I watched her go, thinking about how lucky I was once again. After I finished my tea and
straightened up a bit, the tightness had completely gone away. I dressed and went into work and began
my day.
 Mando! I was dusting the guest room furniture when I heard the voice. I looked up to see Manny
standing there. He had brought the workers up to do some more work on the nursery. I laughed.
 Man-Do? Really? Would you do that to your child?
 I might, he said.  But since I m gay I may never get the chance to find out. I tried not to look
shocked. I had no idea Manny was gay. I saw him suppress a smile as he said,  Are you going to
judge me now?
 Have you judged me for being unwed and pregnant?
 Not in the least, he said.
 That s how I feel about you being gay, Manny. It doesn t change who you are to me. You re my [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]