The Marriage Rival

his success. His only soft spot is his family. Charlie has that man wrapped around her little finger. High school sweethearts turned ex’s turned forbidden lovers turned happily ever after. At least—that’s how she described them.

Charlie’s law firm is handling all the legalities, so she had a keen interest in the matter, voicing her opinion where it matters.

“Are you reducing headcount or are we keeping their staff on?” Charlie asks.

Haden wipes his mouth then takes a sip of his beer.

“Still determining who is worth retaining. The Chief Editor is nice, a bit headstrong and opinionated. Don’t think she thinks highly of me. However, Presley can be the judge of that since she’ll be working closely with her.”

“As long as she doesn’t want in your pants, I think I can handle her.”

Haden and Lex snicker at the same time, a personal joke I’m yet to unravel.

“She’s coming down in a few weeks once it all goes through, but I’m not worried about that. She’s um… prefers her own kind.”

“A vagetarian?” Charlie blurts out, shrugging her shoulders as Lex shakes his head in amusement.

Haden hides his laugh behind his bottle. “To that effect, I guess so.”

Lex holds a bottle of wine in his hands, offering to fill my glass.

I go to thank him, watching him pour the Penfolds Grange. Bringing the glass to my lips, I stop just shy of drinking, realizing I shouldn’t be consuming any alcohol. Another reason why pregnancy is no walk in the park.

The second I put the wine down, Charlie’s mouth falls open. She knows me too well. I scratch the back of my neck, warning her with my eyes not to say anything as they direct themselves to Haden.

“Will you excuse Presley and me, I really want to show her a dress in my closet?”

The boys say nothing, still deep in heavy conversation about the business. The kids, desperate to leave the table, use the opportunity to run back to whatever they were previously doing.

I smile, careful not to let my emotions slip, and place my napkin on the table as I follow Charlie toward the bedroom. She pulls me into the den instead, shutting the door quickly behind her.

Throwing her arms around me, she brings me into a tight embrace.

“Congratulations!”

She squeezes me tight, again, before distancing herself with a grin she’s unable to contain. I always envy Charlie’s stunning good looks. Not once have I seen a wrinkle, or God forbid, a blemish. Absolutely flawless skin. Even when she’s tired, she still looks amazing. When I’m tired, my whole face sags like a weathered peach.

“Tell me everything.”

“There’s nothing to tell besides Haden not knowing.”

Charlie narrows her eyes in confusion. “I don’t understand, why haven’t you told him? He wants another kid. He tells Lex that all the time.”

“Because… I haven’t, okay?”

“Pres, what’s wrong? You should be happy. Masen is almost five, and it’s time to give him a sibling.”

Right, I should be happy. I should be over the fucking moon because that’s what everyone will want me to be. Yet inside, I beg for it to all go away. I want things back to the way they were before this nightmare began.

“You’re right.” I press my lips, forcing a smile. “It must be the hormones. Listen, we should get back.”

Charlie eyes me dubiously. She’d been a close friend for years, a person I can always rely on. But she is also a mother, a woman who has strong beliefs when it comes to family. I don’t need her judgment. I don’t need any one’s judgment because I have my own personal prison which I so desperately want to escape from.

Back at the table, Charlie serves dessert before we call it a night and say goodbye. She suggests we catch up for lunch this Friday, which I agree, not to raise any more concerns on her behalf.

It’s late when we get back home, and assuming Masen’s exhaustion from running around will have him easily settled in his own bed, I am very wrong.

He cries, overtired and irrational with his pleas. Haden grows impatient, allowing him in our bed. I would normally step in, encourage Masen to return to his bed because he is a big boy, but not tonight.