I gasp, completely horrified, and turn to see my back in the mirror. There’s a good inch on bare flesh revealed and the material is not stretchy. I sag on the inside and out. And so it begins. All of the pregnancy side effects will be accelerated because I have two peanuts, not one. I refuse to cry, although I could, quite easily. I need to embrace this. I need to match Jesse in the enthusiasm stakes. It’s all right for him, he’s still going to be a God at the end of all this, whereas my body will probably be ravaged. I turn to face him, finding an apprehensive face around a chewed lip. He thinks I’m going to disintegrate. ‘Can I put my other dress on now?’ I ask quietly.
He visibly relaxes and even fetches my other dress for me, helping me out of the now redundant one and into the newly authorised one. ‘Beautiful,’ he says. ‘I need to scram. Cathy’s downstairs and she’s made you breakfast. Please eat it.’
‘I will.’
He can’t hide his surprise at my easy submission. ‘Thank you.’
‘You don’t have to thank me for eating.’ I mutter, grabbing my bag. I make my way out of the bedroom.
‘I feel like I should thank you for everything you do without arguing with me about it.’ He follows me down the stairs.
‘If you were still fucking sense into me, then I would argue.’ I land at the bottom.
‘Are you pissed because I didn’t service you this morning?’ he asks, amusement rife in his tone.
‘Yes.’
‘Thought so.’ He grabs my hand and swings me around so my body crashes against his hard chest. Then he eats me alive. I’m taken with purpose and conviction, and I don’t stop him. It’ll never make up for the sex we didn’t have this morning, but it might quench my thirst until later. ‘Have a nice day, baby.’ I’m spun back around and my arse is slapped, before I’m guided to the kitchen archway. ‘Make sure my wife eats her breakfast, Cathy.’
‘I will, boy.’ She waves a whisk over her head, but doesn’t turn around.
‘I’ll see you later. And don’t forget to speak with Patrick.’ He strides out without waiting for confirmation that I will, indeed, talk to Patrick. I know my time is up on that matter.
‘Ava, you look so well!’ Cathy sings at me from across the kitchen. ‘All glowing and fresh!’
‘Thanks, Cathy.’ I smile at her kindness but wonder if she’s just trying to make me feel better. ‘Can I take my bagel with me? I’m running a little late.’
‘Of course.’ She starts wrapping it in cling film. ‘Did you have a nice time?’
My smile broadens as I approach her to collect my breakfast. ‘We had a lovely time.’ I say, because we did, despite the last horrific evening.
‘I’m so glad. You both needed a break. Tell me, are the biscuits working?’
‘Yes,’
‘I knew they would. And twins!’ She shoves my bagel in my bag and clasps my cheeks. ‘Do you realise how lucky you are?’
‘Yes,’ I answer, actually meaning it. ‘I should get going.’
‘Yes, yes, you go, dear. I’ll get started on the washing.’
I leave Cathy sorting whites and darks, and board the elevator after punching in the new code. I’m quickly delivered into the foyer of Lusso, where I find Casey sorting out the post. ‘Morning, Casey.’ I greet as I bounce past.
‘Mrs Ward! You’re back.’ He joins me as I head for the brightness of outside. ‘Did you have a nice time?’
‘Casey, you don’t need to call me Mrs Ward. Ava will do. We had a great time, thank you.’ I slip my shades on and retrieve my keys from my bag. ‘How are you enjoying the new job?’
‘More now you’re back.’
I skid to a halt. ‘Pardon?’
He blushes terribly and starts fiddling with the envelopes in his grasp. ‘That came out wrong. Sorry. It’s just, well, did you know that you’re the only woman in the whole building?’
‘Am I?’
‘Yes. All these rich businessmen don’t say a word. They just grunt at me or make demands down the phone. You’re the only one who takes the time to speak. I appreciate it, that’s all.’
‘Oh, okay.’ I smile at his awkwardness. ‘You mean rich business men like my husband?’
He blushes further. ‘Okay, now I’m just digging myself a hole.’ He laughs uncomfortably. ‘It’s just nice to see a cheerful face around here again.’
‘Thank you,’ I smile, and he returns it, his steel blue eyes twinkling. ‘I’d better be going.’
‘Sure. I’ll catch you later.’ He backs away before turning and strolling off casually, back to his desk. I need to get my backside in gear. It’s my first day back, and I’m going to be late. I need to be in Patrick’s good books today.
I don’t even falter in my steps when I emerge from Lusso and see John waiting for me. He doesn’t shrug apologetically like he usually would, either. I had fully expected this. ‘How are you, John?’ It’s good to see him again. I’ve missed the big friendly guy.
‘S’all good, girl.’ he rumbles, following my path around to the passenger side. I jump in and secure myself with the seatbelt, watching as John takes his seat beside me on a frown. ‘You’re not going to kick up a stink today?’ he asks, his voice plagued with laughter.
‘I think I’d be signing my own death warrant if I did.’ I answer dryly.
John laughs, shifting his big body in the seat before starting his Ranger Rover up. ‘I’m glad. I was under strict instructions to manhandle you with optimum care if you resisted.’ He looks across at me through his black wraparounds. ‘I didn’t want to resort to that, girl.’
I grin at him. ‘So are you my assigned bodyguard now, then?’ I know if there was anyone else Jesse would trust me to, it would be John. I’m kidding, of course, but John can’t appreciate taxying me to work every day.
‘If it keeps that mother fucker happy, I’ll do whatever he wants.’ John swigs out of the car park. ‘Are you and the babies okay?’ He keeps his eyes on the road.
‘Yes, but now there are three of us for Jesse to get his knickers in a twist over.’ I grumble.
‘Crazy mother fucker.’ He laughs, revealing his gold tooth. ‘How are you feeling?’
‘Do you mean being pregnant, or after the accident?’ I keep my eyes on him, gaging his reaction. I want to know if there have been any developments since we’ve been away.
‘Both, girl.’ He says no more.
‘Fine, on both counts, thank you. Any news on Jesse’s car?’ I sweep straight in. I’m comfortable enough with John to blurt out what I want.
‘Nothing for you to worry about, girl.’ he answers coolly. I might be comfortable enough to ask, but I need to remember that John is also comfortable enough to brush me off. I won’t get anything out of him. ‘How was Paradise?’ he asks in a blatant change of subject tactic.
‘It was paradise,’ I muse. ‘Until we bumped into Jesse’s parents.’ I’m not sure if I should be divulging this, but I’ve said it now and judging by the look that’s just flashed across the ever cool giant’s face, I’ve shocked him. I nod my head, confirming that he heard me right, and his shiny forehead wrinkles above his shades. ‘Amalie’s wedding got postponed because Jesse’s dad had a heart attack,’ I continue. John must be aware of the wedding, the invite, and Jesse parents living near to Paradise. He’s been around forever, according to Jesse.
‘Henry had a heart attack?’ he asks, surprised. ‘And what went down?’
‘What went down?’
‘Yes, did they speak? How was Jesse?’ John sounds really curious, which is pricking at my own curiosity.
I spill it all. ‘Jesse practically made a public announcement to the restaurant where we were eating. He told the bloody world that we were married and expecting twins.’ I pause and let John get his sudden burst of laughter under control. ‘Anyway, this woman kept staring at me and when I asked Jesse if he knew her, he went all peculiar and hauled me out of the place. His mum found us by the car, started rabbiting on about twins. You know, because Jesse was a twin.’ I watch as John nods his head thoughtfully. What is he concluding from all of this?