Best Friend's Brother

Chapter Twelve

Ten weeks into my pregnancy and I could already see the baby bump. I shook my head in disbelief as I look at myself in the mirror after a nice long shower. I'd been reading up on things like this and I shouldn't be showing yet. Not unless it was twins and I knew it couldn't be. There was no history of twins in my family and it was rare in Matt's.

I got dressed quickly for work and ended up in a loose black shirt and black dress pants that had always been too large on me. Now they were just slightly loose and wearing a belt fixed that. I shivered at the thought of having to get a larger wardrobe.

The drive to work was uneventful and I thought about what would happen if I was actually having twins. I shook the thought away just as soon as it popped into my head but it stuck around for the rest of the day. The thought of having to raise two children on my own freaked me out.

By the time I was done work I was wound tighter than drum. I couldn't stop thinking about possibly having twins. I was having problems keeping a single child from its father but two? I didn't know if I could do it.

I was so preoccupied in my thoughts that I accidentally bumped into Jones on my way to the elevator.  

My eyes widened as he steady me. "I am so sorry, sir!"

His eyes were laughing. "It's no problem, Claire. Just be more careful, okay?"

I nodded and slipped out of his grasp. I turned towards the elevators again but his hand on my wrist stopped me.

He looked and my face and shook his head. "Don't hit me for asking but I have to know. You have this glow about you that my wife goes on about meaning a pregnancy. I'd hate to be a jerk and ask if you've just gained some weight recently but I'm a curious guy. Is there any way we could have a conversation about this without me being a complete douche and you reacting badly to my prying and slapping me? I really hate being slapped."

I laughed good naturedly even though it was kind of awkward talking to my boss about this. "You don't have to worry about it. I knew I'd have to talk to you about it sooner or later. Yes I'm pregnant but I won't let it get in the way of work."

He beamed at me. "Seriously? I didn't even know you were dating!"

I swallowed and looked away for a second. "It wasn't planned but I guess a baby would make dating harder."

He laughed and looped an arm around my shoulders. He started steering me towards the elevators and I suddenly wanted to go anywhere but there. "This is fabulous news! We must celebrate!"

My eyes widened. "Oh no, Sir. It's nothing, really."

"Nonsense, Claire. I know that he must have been someone really special to you for you to be having his child. I'd love to meet him if that's not too awkward."

I shrugged since when he wasn't demanding something outrageous Jones really did act like an older brother to me. "I'd say yes but he doesn't exactly know about it."

That caused Jones to gasp. "No way! How could you keep this a secret? I bet he'd be excited to be a father, any sane man would be."

I laughed. "Obviously you haven't met the many guys that have run in and out of my life. No, I think he'd pretend to be happy for me while hating every minute of it. Besides, I kind of screwed up the chances of anything happening between us. It would just mess things up more if he knew that one night would change his life forever."

The elevator arrived and Jones ushered me on. Thankfully the elevator was empty because I didn't want everyone to know about it.

"One night, you say," he said thoughtfully.

I nodded. "One night that will change my life forever."

He shook his head. "Obviously this guy means a lot to you if you're willing to go through all of this alone. Think about telling him at least. I'm sure he'll be more supportive than you think."

I looked up at his face and saw he was being absolutely sincere. "Thanks so much. I'll think about it but I can't promise anything more than that."

We reached the garage and he walked me to my car in silence. Once I was safely in my seat he leaned into the car. "We will be celebrating this once I've had a chance to plan a party for you. For now I want you to take tomorrow off to relax and sleep. Okay?"

I nodded even though all I really wanted to do right now was work like there was no tomorrow. At least while I was at work I had something to keep my mind preoccupied.

"Good. I'll see you on Tuesday."

He closed the door before I could argue. When he had told me to take tomorrow off I was okay with it since today was Friday and I never worked on the weekends. The fact that he'd extended that order to Monday made me less likely to listen to him. I had so much work all the time that I couldn't afford to take a day off. Hadn't I just promised that I wouldn't let the pregnancy get in the way of my job?

I sighed but started the car. Obviously I'd have to work from home on Monday even if that meant getting Hilary to fax me some of the smaller manuscripts so I could go over them without Jones finding out. She wouldn't like going behind his back but I was sure I'd be able to find a way to convince her that it was in her best interest to help me out.

Jones stood by my parking spot until I was out of sight. He might have stayed longer but I thought it would be pointless if he did and he was nothing if not practical. Besides, the only reason he stayed that long was to make sure that I didn't come back to get more work. That was just the kind of guy he was.

Once I got home I thought about the roses Matt had brought me. I wished that I'd thought ahead and brought them home with me but there was nothing I could do about it now. If I went back I was sure Jones would just lecture me on not following orders.

While I was mentally slapping myself in the forehead there came a knocking from the front door. I wasn't expecting anyone but that didn't mean people didn't like surprising me all the time.

I swung the door open without checking to see who it was and paused. Instead of being one of my friends like I had assumed there was a florist with yet another bouquet of roses – these ones yellow.

I groaned as I remembered that yellow roses meant eternal love. Definitely a gift from Matt.

The delivery guy smiled and helped them out to me. "I assume you're Claire Rayne."

I nodded and accepted the flowers. "Thanks. Are these flowers from anyone specific or is there a card?"

He laughed. "I see you've received flowers once or twice before. There is a card hidden in there somewhere though I can't tell you where it is. Honestly, I have no idea. I just know that my boss Austin always puts one in there."

I brought the roses to my nose and sniffed. "Thanks, they're beautiful."

He laughed. "Oh and by the way, they're from someone named Matt. And he says sorry."

I waited until he got down the walkway to his truck to speak. "I thought you said you didn't know what the card said."

He chuckled and looked at me while he opened the door. "I never said that. I just said that I had no idea where the card was."

"If you didn't know where the card was how could you know what it says?"

That was answered by another chuckle as he got into his car. "Touché."

I smiled and sniffed the roses again. I stood in my doorway as he started his car. I was going to wait for him to leave before going back inside and I was glad I'd decided that because before he pulled out of the driveway he rolled down the passenger's side window.

"Oh by the way, it's nice to meet you Claire. My name's Austin."

I laughed and waved as he drove away. Closing the door and sniffing the flowers once again I thought about how tricky boys could be. Especially when they're only telling half-truths to make a girl feel good about herself.

I shook my head to shake out the negative thought and headed for the kitchen to find a vase for the flowers. Austin had somehow managed to brighten my mood and not even the meaning behind the roses could bring me back down.