Page 10 of Reticent

“But you know it’s true. Welcome to the dark side, Yas.”

“Don’t you have that backward? Technically, they went over to the dark side, and we— Never mind.” I chuckle. “I’m not going there with you today.”

“It’s good to hear you laughing.”

“It feels good. I’ve been all over the place with my emotions.”

“It’s understandable with everything you have going on.”

Facts upon facts. Life hasn’t been easy lately. Hopefully with this move, things will start to turn around. “I’ve only been here for seven days, and I miss you. I miss New York. I miss my family.”

“We miss you too—even your dad,” she says as though she can sense my rebuttal. “And I’m only kidding about being salty over the move. I know you had to do this … for you.”

“I always knew I’d end up back here. I just never thought …”

“I know.” And she does. More than anyone.

“I’ll call Hunter tonight and tell him about the baby.”

“It’s going to be okay, Yas. No matter what.”

I nod as if she can see me. I know she’s right. I can do this. With or without Hunter. I rub my baby bump as my little guy makes his presence known with a flurry of little kicks. “I’m about to drop a nuke in this man’s life.”

“He dropped a nuke in yours when he came inside of you without a condom.”

I wince. “That was on me, as much as it was on him.”

“It was your first one-night stand. It was probably his fiftieth, so I blame him.”

I cackle as my brows lift in surprise. “Fiftieth, Ar?”

“I mean, probably. He’s had way more sex than you have.”

“He was married before, so maybe his one-night stand headcount isn’t as high as you think.”

“Oh, please. A single guy who looks like that … Trust me, girl. He fucks a lot.”

“You’re probably right.” According to my research, also known as cyberstalking, Hunter Demalio is a womanizer with a rotation of beautiful women on his arm and in his bed.

My phone chimes with a text message. Since traffic is barely going ten miles an hour, I check it.

Niko

You aced your interview. Good job, String Bean.

“Niko just texted me. I aced the interview.” I can’t help the grin on my face.

“I thought the job was already yours.”

“It was. But they could’ve easily changed their minds if I blew it today.”

Before my move, Niko secured me an admin position with his marketing firm. He’s worked there for eight years since graduating from college. It’s not my dream job, but I’m not mad at the day-one medical benefits. Once the baby is born and I’ve settled into a routine, I plan to go back to school as an exercise science major. Becoming a personal trainer has always been a dream of mine.

“When do you take your maternity leave?”

“I’m not planning on taking one.”

“Seriously?”