“Cut the bullshit, Noah. I look like death. This pregnancy feels like I’ve got my period every goddamn day, so death is an understatement.”
“See this… this right here is the kind of information I’m not interested in. It would explain why both of you are crabby. I’ve heard about girls being in sync, although you’re pregnant but still…” I say with a mouthful of toast, unaware of the minefield I’ve just stepped into.
“Did you also hear that period pain is like a thousand knives being stabbed into your vagina?” Charlie adds, taking a seat beside me. “And that it’s extremely awkward when your tampon fills up, and you’re running to the toilet with what feels like a grenade between your legs?”
Kate does nothing to save me. Instead, she bows her head, trying to hold in her laughter, almost choking on the banana she’s eating. Serves her right, though on close inspection, she appears to have an excellent gag reflex. Always handy to have.
Lex walks into the kitchen, pulling a small suitcase behind him. He told me last night he has to be in Colorado for three days. Also, he told me that he’s glad I’m here so someone can help Charlie, not that I’ve been much help. Ava soiled her diaper the other day, and I almost threw up in my mouth trying to find Charlie while carrying her at an arm’s length so she could change her.
“Good morning, everyone,” he announces. “Good morning, my beautiful wife.”
Kissing her on the cheek, she mumbles something before sliding the cup of coffee across the table to him where he takes a seat. The girls are watching television, something about a little girl with a whiney voice that speaks in Spanish.
“What did I miss?” Lex asks, taking his cell out of his pocket.
“Everyone is shitty and tired. Aside from that, you’re off to Colorado to meet the Mackenzie Group, right?”
“Yes. Did Margaret email you the presentation?” Lex questions Kate.
Kate scrolls through her cell, shaking her head in response.
“Honestly, Kate. These older assistants HR is hiring aren’t as switched on as the younger ones,” he chastises.
“Oh, really?” Charlie questions with a raised eyebrow. “Maybe you should find someone younger like Montana, perhaps? Maybe give her a call, see what she’s up to.”
You could cut Charlie’s sarcasm with a knife. Lex puts his phone down and looks at Charlie oddly. I don’t know what’s going on or who Montana is, but I really want to slide out of my chair and hide under the table, pretending I don’t exist. Charlie’s one hell of a moody bitch.
“No comment?” she asks, waiting for Lex. “I didn’t think so. Now, since we’re all here, and we have approximately two minutes before Dora the Explorer finishes, we need to set some rules in this house.”
“Like not talking about menstrual cycles?” I tell her.
Lex nods in agreement.
“No, like your personal life ruining your chance at success,” she answers back.
“How does that affect this household?”
“It affects Lex,” Charlie points out.
“Explain?”
“Lex’s business can’t afford to have single men like you with a reputation for running naked around LA. Haden may run the company, but ultimately, Lex owns shares.”
“What I do in my personal life does not affect my work,” I quip, quick to defend myself. “I take pride in my professionalism, Charlie. I work hard, and yes, I play hard. But that doesn’t mean I mix business with pleasure.”
“He’s right, Charlotte, and if you knew what my executives got up to, you’d…” Lex trails off as he watches Kate dragging her finger across her throat, motioning him to stop right there.
“What are you talking about? Of course, it affects your business. A nice, well-rounded man in a steady relationship shows commitment.”
“God, Charlie, what do you want me to do? Become a priest?” I complain.
“No. I think you need to start getting serious. You’re twenty-eight, Noah. When Lex was twenty-eight, he owned several companies and was set for life,” Charlie says.
Kate interrupts the conversation, “Yes, he did. But Charlie, Lex was no saint. Granted, he was miserable and missing you, but nevertheless, he was far from being a nice guy. He only got that far because he threw himself into his work to forget how much he hated life.”
I could kiss Kate right now for having my back.
“Tha