The Lineup(25)

“Why did you bring booze?” I ask Lindsay as we ride up to Knox and Emory’s apartment in the elevator.

She looks at the bottle of champagne in her hand and says, “Because we’re celebrating. Bubbly is always needed when celebrating.”

“She’s pregnant; she can’t drink.”

“Who cares about her? I have a babysitter and I plan on drinking.”

“How thoughtful,” I say sarcastically.

“You’re a little more irritable than usual, what’s your deal?”

I have yet to tell my friends about the impromptu “date” I had Friday night. I considered it, but when Emory called us Saturday morning to tell us the news, I knew talking about Jason’s sudden appearance wasn’t necessary. And I plan on keeping it that way. No one needs to know. I took care of it. It’s all done.

“Just tense. Work stuff,” I answer as the doors part and we filter into the hall. Knox and Emory have their door open, already greeting Carson and Milly.

When Emory sees us, her eyes get all watery, and I can’t help but feel the same way. She has loved Knox for so long, and to see her finally happy with the man of her dreams, it lightens up my walled heart I’ve worked so hard at turning dark.

“You guys, I’m pregnant.” Emory greets us once Carson and Milly make their way into the house.

Lindsay is the first to pull Emory to a hug, so I turn to Knox who has a weird look on his face. I give him a hug and say, “Congrats, Knox.”

“Uh, thank you.” He looks into his apartment and then gives me a half-smile.

Okay, that’s weird.

I swap with Lindsay and give Emory a big hug. Friends since we were kids, it feels like yesterday we were huddling in her room, going through our high school yearbook, putting hearts next to all the guys we thought were hot.

Grown-up, with adult jobs, and apartments . . . it’s crazy how time flies.

“I’m so happy for you two,” I say into her ear while my arms are wrapped around her. “You guys are going to be amazing parents.”

“Thank you.” She pulls away, but she keeps her hand on my arm when she says, “And thank you for coming today. I know it’s going to be weird.”

She walks me into her apartment. “Why would it be—?”

My words are cut off the minute I see Jason standing by the window, a smile on his face, a drink in his hand, and his eyes trained on me.

Oh crap.

I’ve been so caught up in work and Emory’s news that I completely forgot that not only does Jason live across from Knox and Emory, but he’s really good friends with them too.

From the side of my mouth, I ask, “What did he say to you?”

Emory continues to smile and holds her non-existent belly. “Just that you had security drag him out.”

I press my hand to my forehead. “Jesus. Did he say that he came unannounced and was bothering me? He commented on my eating.”

“Yes, we heard all of that, but it was also sweet what he was trying to do, so you didn’t need to throw him out.”

No, that’s exactly what I needed to do. He is sweet, too sweet. And the problem with sweet is that he’d tire of my barbs. I’d have to change my world to be with someone like him. So, nipping any attraction in the bud was crucial. I needed him to see me as someone who’s emotionally unattractive, so there was no chance to make a proper connection with me. Did I enjoy being so dismissive and cold when it came to my college crush, the man I’ve lusted after for so long? No, it was painful. It hurt to see him be dragged out by security. It wounded me to hear the things he mumbled as he made his way out of my office. It was embarrassing to see the looks on my security staff the next day as I arrived for work. They’re professionals, so they were careful not to show bewilderment, but it was there. Subtle. What Jason did was unlike anything I’d ever experienced and that right there was a warning sign. Stay away, heart could be broken . . . easily. Just like Nick.

“Poor timing. I was very busy,” I say, even though it isn’t the truth. But they don’t need the truth; they might not understand my hesitation, and I don’t want to be convinced otherwise. I glance around, feeling my body start to retreat but Emory has a firm hold on my arm.

Sheesh, for a pregnant woman, she’s surprisingly strong.

“I will remind you, this day is about me and Knox and you are one of my best friends, so I expect you to be here celebrating for a long time with all of us. And there will be no drama.”

I hear what she’s saying, and even though I want nothing more than to sprint back to my apartment and enjoy a nice bubble bath where I can attempt to forget this is happening, I know Emory’s right. I’m here for a reason, and I’m just going to have to strap on my big girl panties and work through it.

“You don’t even need to mention it.” I kiss her cheek. “Let’s show this baby what it has to look forward to.”





“Are you just going to avoid me the entire party?”

My back tenses as Jason’s body presses against me, his shoulder rubbing mine as I stare at the skyline. It’s been ten minutes.

Ten minutes of pure torture.

Little glances here and there, smirks from the man who I had extracted from my office only days ago, and winks . . . God, can he stop with the winking? It’s weird, and it keeps heating up my body with every dip of his long eyelashes.