White Lies

A Flutter of Butterflies

A laughter fills the other line.

"It's not funny, Trish. He's serious about it." Bee holds her phone between her ear and her shoulder, while she stirs sugar into her decaf.

"It's a little funny. You've gotta admit it," Trisha cackles between words.

What Hunter has dropped on her isn't anything she expected. What is she supposed to say? Glancing through Jay's calendar, she finds a full week crossed off. It's the week of their parents' anniversary. Mr and Mrs Peters are planning to renew their vows, and they want all their children to attend, including spouses, signifiant others, and baby mama. Her. It's not for another month and a half. Plenty of time to find an excuse not to go, but since she works for Jay...

"Do I go? Do I really need to be there?"

Trisha stops laughing enough to answer her friend, "It's all up to you, Bee. I certainly would."

"Really?"

"Yeah, I want to know where the hell Hunter came from. Aren't you little bit curious? Maybe you'll even find out if there are any health history you need to worry about, like a sixth toe or something."

"A sixth toe? Trisha, be serious."

Her friend lowers her voice. "I am serious. Do you know how hard it would be for your child of she or he decides to become a dancer, with a sixth toe?"

"Wouldn't that help with balance?"

"Ahm... I don't know. Let me look through my contacts and find out who has a sixth toe."

Bee rolls her eyes at her friend's attempt at a joke. However, she suspects that Trish will indeed call all her dancer friends and ask each one to count their toes. "Whatever else I need to find out about history, I can ask Jay or Mare."

"Or Hunter."

No, she wouldn't ask him. Yes, Bee is physically attracted to the man, who wouldn't be? The guy is built like a tank. His muscles have muscles. And he has quite a package. Bee curses her hormones again. It's easy to blame it on that. But to have a relationship with a man is more than finding him sexy as hell.

She doesn't know what his IQ is. She knows he reads a lot by the amount of books in the apartment, which was quite a surprise for her when she saw them. Bee hasn't ventured into his bedroom. She's taken a peek once through tiny crack of the door, and saw paintings and sketches all over the walls. If she takes a guess, he has turned his studio into a bedroom. There are no signs of smoking. She knows he drinks, but even the bottles in the fridge hasn't been touched. It doesn't mean he doesn't drink outside. Maybe that's why he comes home at three in the morning. Bee shudders at the possible state of his liver. Alcoholism isn't a genetic condition. Neither is being an a-hole.

Blanche hears a thumping in her ear. "Geez Trish!"

"You're the one who stopped talking. I can hear you breathing on the line. You're thinking of him, aren't you?"

Blanche feels the blush creep up her neck. "Oh would you look at that! An email! Sorry Trish, I better go back to work."

"No, Bee..."

She ends the call and sits back on her chair. Blanche didn't lie. There is an email waiting for her, from another firm which represents the soon-to-be-ex spouse of one of Jay's clients. She reads through it and wonders if the pregnancy brain she has read about has hit her. The opposing firm is asking for a file she's sure she has sent weeks ago.

Jay is out for the morning meetings. Bee can't very well ask her boss about something she's responsible for. She pushes away from the desk, sliding her chair back, when she feels it.

A tickle? A flutter?

Bee pauses and breathes slowly. She carefully places a hand over her stomach, and jolts as she feels it again.

A kick. A bump. A movement.

A deep emotion overwhelms her, forces tears from her eyes. Her baby just moved. The very first one she's experienced. She looks around in the empty office. How she wishes she can share this moment with someone. Even more shocking, she wishes she can share it with Hunter.

****
"What did it feel like?" Even if she can't see her, Bee knows that Mare is smiling from ear to ear.

Blanche tried calling Trisha, only to hear her voicemail click on. She tapped a text for Hunter but she didn't press send. She knew Jay was busy, but Mare was at home. So she called Mare.

"I don't know, like butterflies in my belly?"

"Yeah, I say that's the baby. It's the best feeling ever. Aw, I miss those. They're probably the best parts of my pregnancies. Have you told Hunter?"

Bee clings to her phone, unsure of how to answer the question. Should she really call and tell him? Or actually send that text? What will he say? How will he react?

A beep drags her back to the phone call. "Oh, hold on, Blanche, I have another call."

While she waits, Bee wonders if telling Hunter will make a difference in their relationship. It isn't like he can actually feel the baby move. She barely felt it and was somewhat unsure. But that single moment, she did wish he was around.

Mare returns to their conversation in a huff. "Sorry, Bee, I have to go. My little guy threw up at a teacher. I'm telling you, enjoy your vomit-free state now. That will change fast. And oh, make sure you come on Sunday for dinner! It's Hunter's birthday. I'm not taking no for an answer. Bye!"

"Okay, bye." Before she can say anything else, Blanche hears a click on the other line.

Hunter's birthday? He's never mentioned anything about it. Would he want her there? Does he have any idea Mare would invite her?

She feels another flutter in her belly, and she tickles it with a finger. Then Bee hears the swing of their outside door. It can very well be Jay, back for a while in between meetings for lunch. It's almost noon and they're not expecting any clients that day. Unless if it's a new client looking to make an appointment. Although unlikely, with technology advancing communications these days, she rarely sees a client one on one. There are enough emails or texts and phone calls to fill her days.

The smile she spreads on her face turns into a frown and confusion when Red walks into the office.

"Hi," the statuesque redhead greets her. She's wearing the same black shirt and black jeans she's seen her in that first time.

Bee straightens her back against the chair. "Mr Peters isn't here this morning, would you like to make an appointment?"

Red stuffs her hands into her skinny jeans pocket. "No, I came here to see you." She offers Blanche a smile.

Curious, Bee lets an eyebrow quirk. "Me? Why?"

"I was hoping I can take you out for lunch. I sent a message to Jason to let him know. Of course, he said it's up to you." Red doesn't make another move towards Bee's desk. She stands in front of her, chewing on her bottom lip.

This should be interesting, Blanche thinks. Red seems almost nervous around her. She doesn't owe Red anything, not even a yes to lunch. And Blanche can pretty much gauge that she's here to vouch for Hunter. Everyone, even her friend Trisha, wants Blanche and Hunter to at least get along. Is that why Red is here too? There's only one way to find out, she decides.

Bee picks up her purse and stands. "I have an hour."

"That's perfect. Thank you," Red says and follows her out the door.

****

A/N: Hi, all! Thanks for continuing to read this story. I needed a pause from Hunter so the next few chapters might be focused on Bee.