CEO'S Secret Baby: A Standalone Surprise Pregnancy Romance by Iona Rose (books for 5 year olds to read themselves .TXT) 📕

the arrival of another text message. It was an apology from our web developer and my cubicle neighbor- Sarah Pool.

‘Sorry’, she wrote. ‘I tried to warn you.’

I checked and saw that she had indeed called me just before he had arrived at my desk. And she had sent a text, ‘Grandfather’s heading your way.’

My brows shot up at the name. “Jeremy’s already spread this title around?” I raised my head to catch her gaze.

“What title?” she asked. “Grandfather?”

“Yeah.”

“Jeremy started it?” She looked confused.

“He did, in the conference room yesterday.”

She laughed softly, her eyes on her screen. “Did you hear about the acquisition?”

I frowned as I brought my computer back to life. “What acquisition?”

“Everything’s been kept so hush hush but I heard Henry on the phone with I think the CMO. We’ve been bought out.”

At the information, I paused. “What? Why? By whom.”

“We’ll have to wait to find that out. Doesn’t matter too much anyway. As long as I have my job and management doesn’t become a pain, I could care less who owns the agency.”

I returned to work, and once again felt quite out of balance. I had no idea what I expected to happen but my legs just did not seem to be on the ground. I decided I needed a day off. To take care of my heart and to reset. It was just Wednesday, and Friday seemed like a lifetime away at this point. Especially since there’d be work to do over the weekend in preparation for the client pitch on Wednesday.

I waited till the end of the day to report my intended absence for the next day, and it was approved.

On my way home, Tracy called me. “You didn’t check my ring,” she said.

For a moment, I didn’t understand what she was talking about. And then it made sense. “Oh…” I smiled, as I turned the corner onto my street. “I’m sorry. It didn’t even occur to me.”

“It's okay,” she said.

“Send me a picture.”

“No need. I’m coming over tonight with Anne. That’s why I’m calling. Take the day off tomorrow to take care of yourself, otherwise you’re going to have to go to work drunk in the morning.”

I was amused. “I already did.”

“Yes!” She exclaimed. “We’ll be over at 8.”

I ended the call and looked forward to the night in with my girls.

Chapter 18

Leah

Four hours later, the wine was flowing, and popcorn was littered across my living room as we re-watched Sex and the City.

The series never failed to amuse and bond us, and was the only show that we could watch together without anyone grumbling out of boredom.

Today however, as I paid more attention to Carrie’s woes with Big, I couldn’t help but ask. “Is this true? That men choose to commit to the next woman they meet when their light comes on and not necessarily with anyone they deem special?”

“I don’t think men are capable of deeming anyone special,” Anne said, her voice completely devoid of feeling. “They’re like dogs… from one bone to the next. No offense Tracy… I’m sure Jared is the exception.”

I smacked her arm from my sprawled position on the couch, while she sat on the floor in front of me.

“I’m not offended,” Tracy said. “Jared is an exception.”

The room went quiet again, but I wasn’t done with my questioning, “Is it that they can’t commit to anyone special or we’re labeled in their eyes… sorted out into categories. These I fuck… those I marry.”

“More like those I fuck, this I marry.” Anne griped again.

She continued to amuse me, as always.

“I don’t think that’s true,” Tracy said. “They’re human beings just like us.”

“I doubt that,” Anne quickly chipped in.

Tracy ignored her and went on, “They’re human. So sometimes, they’re not even expecting when that special person comes into their life. Especially, those that never even considered marriage to be in the cards for them. But then that special person comes and the pain of losing her suddenly becomes more excruciating than whatever torment they’ve believed marriage to be. I truly think it’s more like there is this one woman I absolutely can’t let go of, and then they get married because that’s the only way to keep her.”

Anne had a contemptuous look on her face. “Sometimes you’re so sappy, I feel myself sweltering just for being in close proximity to you.”

“That’s your problem not mine. Leah, don’t you agree with me?” Tracy asked.

I was no longer in the room. I thought of Carter as he had said his goodbye to me on the beach, and the blankness that had been in his gaze when he had done so. “Maybe I’m one of those that men just like to fuck,” I said.

“Well, that makes two of us,” Anne said, turning to clink her glass against my forehead. “And it’s not a bad place to be.”

Tracy ignored her. “That’s not true.”

I kept silent after that until another episode later when Anne rose up to go to the bathroom. Cheryl followed her. By the time they both returned Anne said, “The more I look at Cheryl.” She settled back down on the rug. “The more I think that she does look pregnant. Tracy, you might be right.”

“She’s a corgi…” I groaned.

“Wow. Fat shaming much,” Anne joked. “But still, her stomach looks swollen. Much bigger than usual.”

I turned to study the puppy, who was now huddled on her bed in the corner, her eyes heavy with slumber. Their observations suddenly began to make sense to me. I hurried over and pulled her into my arms to inspect properly, and found that they were right. “Oh my God,” I whispered. “How could this happen?”

“Doesn’t your neighbor have a male dog?” Tracy asked. “They always hang out don’t they?”

My mouth fell open.

Anne was doubly amused. “Cheryl you dirty girl. You fucked someone?”

Tracy burst out laughing.

Just then, my stomach suddenly lurched. I ran from the living room and straight into the bathroom to the alarm of everyone.

“Leah!” Anne called out.

I was already spewing my