She walked over to me and placed her hand on my chest as her eyes stared into mine.
“What happened last night is done and over with. We both had our say and it’s in the past. Let’s leave it there. I’m not mad.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“Then that’s your problem.” She took a seat behind her desk.
“If you’re no longer mad, have dinner with me tonight.”
“I can’t.” She looked up at me.
“Why not?”
“Because I have a prenatal yoga class.”
“A prenatal yoga class. Since when?”
“Tonight is my first class.”
“Then we’re having lunch. I’ll pick you up at noon.” I walked out of her office.
We ended up at The Capital Grille because Jenna was craving their signature burger and truffle fries. The moment we sat down, she ordered a water and some hot tea while I ordered a scotch.
“How did your doctor’s appointment go yesterday?” I asked with caution.
“I told you yesterday it went fine.”
“Listen, Jenna. I apologize. Okay? I didn’t realize it was that important to you that I be there. I promise I’ll go with you to the next appointment.”
“It’s fine, Lucas. Let’s just forget about it. Like you said, you have enough to worry about with your father coming back to town. I have to pee. I’ll be right back.”
“Here’s your scotch and your wife’s tea and water,” the waitress spoke.
“She’s not my wife.” I immediately corrected her.
“Oh. I’m sorry. Are you ready to order or do you want to wait until your girlfriend gets back?”
I let out a sigh.
“She’s not my girlfriend either. Just because a man and a woman are having lunch together doesn’t mean they’re a couple. And yes, we’re ready to order. We’ll both have the signature burger with everything on it and the truffle fries.”
“I’ll get that in right away, and I’m sorry for assuming.”
Jenna walked back to the table and sat down.
“I ordered our lunch.”
“Thanks. I’m starving. Why is there not a bread basket on the table?”
“I think you only get that at dinner.” I smirked. “We really haven’t talked much the past week. How have you been feeling?”
“Good.” She picked up her glass of water.
“Just good?” I asked because she was being vague.
“Yeah.” She smiled.
The waitress walked over and set our plates down in front of us.
“Thank God. I’m starving!” Jenna said as she shoved a fry in her mouth.
“How far along are you?” The waitress asked her.
“Twenty-four weeks.”
“I’m fifteen weeks.” The waitress placed her hand on her small belly, and I sighed.
“Congratulations. You’re so tiny still.” Jenna grinned. “But just wait. One morning you’re going to wake up and that belly will be popped out.”
“I can’t wait. Anyway, enjoy your lunch.”
“Did that make you uncomfortable?” She cocked her head at me.
“It was a little weird. Don’t you think?”
“Not at all.” She took a big bite of her burger. “It’s no different than you boys talking about your penis size.”
“Really? We do not do that.”
“I think you do.” She scrunched her face. “In fact, I know you do. One time, I was sitting in a bar and there were two guys next to me and that’s all they talked about.” She shoved a fry in her mouth.
I just sat there and shook my head at her.
“What? It’s true.” She smiled.
“What time is your yoga class tonight?”
“It’s from seven until eight.”
“Why don’t you come up to the penthouse tonight. It’s been a while.”
“I don’t know. I might be too sore after yoga.”
“Then let me do all the work.” I gave her a smirk. “You know I’m good with my hands. I can make all your soreness go away.
“Okay. I’ll come up after I shower.”
“Good.” I gave her a wink.
Jenna
Before we left the restaurant, I had to pee again, so I told Lucas I’d meet him in the car. As I was washing my hands, the waitress that served us walked in.
“I just have to ask you something before you leave,” she said.
“Of course.”
“Are you J. Elle?”
Shit. How did she know?
“How did you know?”
“When you were in here earlier, the guy you’re with told me that you’re not his wife or his girlfriend when I mentioned it, and when you told me how many weeks you were, I just put two and two together. I just love your podcast. You have no idea how much you’ve helped me so far. When my boyfriend found out I was pregnant, he took off and said he wasn’t ready to be a father. I’m twenty-one years old and I’m scared shitless to raise this baby on my own. But after listening to your two podcasts, I don’t know. I just feel more confident now and empowered.”
“Aw.” I reached over and hugged her. “Thank you.”
“No. Thank you. Please keep doing what you’re doing. I’ve read all the comments and you’re helping so many single pregnant women.”
“You have totally made my day—”
“Natalie.” She smiled.
“Natalie. You are a strong woman, and you got this girl.”
“I know.” She looked down.
“Listen, I have to run. He’s waiting for me in the car.”
“He’s kind of a jerk,” she said, and I let out a laugh.
“Yeah. He can be.”
When I climbed into the car, Lucas looked at me.
“What the hell took you so long?”
“Ask your daughter.” I cocked my head at him.
Chapter 26
One Week Later
Lucas
Tomorrow was the day my father was blowing into town. Something had come up in Paris and he had to postpone his trip another week, which was fine by me. At least I had one more week to relax. But now, he was flying in for sure and who the hell knew what category the hurricane was coming in at.
I was sitting in my office when I heard a knock on the door.
“Come in.”
“Hey, bro.” Danny smiled as he stepped inside.”
“Hey. What are you doing here?” I asked as I got up and gave him a light hug.
“Is this a bad time?”
“No. Have a seat. What’s up?”
“You know that girl I’m seeing?”
“Lisa, right?”
“Yeah. We were in the car the other day taking a day trip to the country and she said she was dying to listen to this podcast that all her girlfriends were talking about, and she asked if I minded if we listened to it on the drive. I said sure, so she played it.”
“And?” I asked.
“And I’m pretty sure it’s Jenna.”