Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 95307 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95307 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
“I know, okay. I know what you told Chase.”
“I tell Chase lots of things. You care to enlighten me?” I ask.
“About me being fat, gaining too much weight.”
“What the fuck are you talking about? I’ve never said those words a day in my life. Who told you that?”
“You can tell me, Harrison. It’s fine. I get it. My body’s changed.”
“Yes. Your body has changed, but it’s because of our baby girl. You’re beautiful to me, Winnie.” She starts to speak, but I place my finger over her lips. “I can’t keep my hands off you, baby. You being pregnant with our daughter is a huge turn-on.” I take a deep breath, bracing myself for what I’m pretty sure I already know. The timeline adds up. “Who told you that?”
“Gina.”
“When?”
“That day we had lunch at the Twist of Lime. She said she overheard you talking to Chase about all the weight I’ve gained.”
Fury. I’m not even sure fury describes the rage I’m feeling toward Gina at this moment. “Look at me,” I say gently, which is a contrast to the storm brewing within me. “I’ve never said those words. Never even thought them. You are gorgeous to me, inside and out. I’ll never think anything different. Tell me you believe me.”
She nods.
“I need to hear you say it, Winnie. I need your words.”
“I believe you. These past few weeks have been so hard,” she cries. “You make me feel so loved and so special, but then in the back of my mind, I wondered if you were just saying that because you thought that’s what I needed to hear. I was so confused, and I missed you.”
“I missed you too. I felt the distance, but I was trying to give you space. I know I’ve been a caveman when it comes to your eating and exercise, but, baby, it’s not because of how you look or the number when you step on the scale. It’s the diabetes. I want you and baby Sophia to be healthy. I don’t know how else to help you through this. I’m sorry if my actions made you think otherwise.”
“I’m sorry too. I should have confronted you. No, I shouldn’t have believed her. I know that’s not the kind of man you are. We’ve been through so much, and I was already feeling self-conscious about the weight.”
“Don’t. You’re perfect.” I kiss her lips and rest my forehead on her shoulder. I think about the last two weeks. Her keeping her body covered, not wanting to make love unless it was in the dark of night. I should have caught on sooner.
Fucking Gina.
“Baby, I know I said no work today, but I have to make a phone call. You want to sit in here for a while?” We stand, and she takes my seat on the rocker.
“Yeah, wait.” She pulls on my arm. “What are you doing?”
“Firing her,” I grit out.
“No, I don’t want her to lose her job.”
“Sorry, but it’s too late for that. She’s had one foot out the door since the day she started, and now this? What purpose does she have trying to come between us like that? I refuse to stand by and let it happen. Nothing, and I mean, nothing is going to keep us apart again. She’s gone. End of discussion.”
“Okay.” She nods. She knows me well enough to know that when my mind is made up, it’s a done deal. There is no going back on this decision. She’s done.
“I’ll be back in a few minutes.” I leave the nursery, shutting the door behind me, my phone already at my ear.
“Why are you calling? Aren’t you supposed to be sexing your baby momma?” Chase answers.
“Is Gina there with you?” I ask him.
“Yeah. What’s up?” he asks, all traces of humor gone from his voice.
“Fire her.”
“What?”
“You heard me. Fire her. Now. If you can’t handle it, I’ll be in to do it myself.”
“Can I get a little more intel?” he asks. I go on to tell him the conversation I just had when Winnie.
“Consider it done. How is she?”
“My wife is in tears thinking I don’t want her.”
“Fuck,” Chase murmurs. “I’ll handle it. See you tomorrow for the shower.”
“Thanks, man.”
“None needed. You take care of your girls. I’ve got this.”
It’s times like these that I’m glad to have my best friend as my right-hand man. I could fire her, but I know with the way my blood is boiling at the moment, I would say things that were far from professional. It’s best to let Chase handle this.
I should have fired her ass a long time ago.
It’s Saturday afternoon, and most of our guests just left. My parents, as well as Winnie’s, along with Chase and Gabby, remain.
“Does my niece really need all this stuff?” Chase asks, picking up a small pink fuzzy blanket and caressing it with his thumb and forefinger.