The Office Rival: An Enemies-to-Lovers Romance

She pulls out this yellow bottle-looking thing with a suction cup attached. For some unknown reason, I place the suction cup on my cheek until Mom informs me of its use. “That’s my breast pump.”

I throw it back at her. “Eww, Mom! I can’t use your breast pump!”

“Why not? It’s still in perfect condition.” She places it against her breast, mimicking the sucking motion.

“You know what, Mom? I’ll start a list right now. And a new breast pump can go at the top.”

“Have it your way. I just don’t know why you would waste money when this is in perfectly good working order.”

I don’t say another thing. Instead, I wrap my arms around her and hug her tight. I don’t want to let go, frightened that the next time I see her, I’ll be in the hospital bed pushing out a watermelon from my lemon-size vagina.

“I know you’re scared, honey. I’ll be right by your side the whole time.”

Letting out small sobs, I nod my head, trying to translate my fears into words. “Just promise you’ll be there, Mom. I don’t want to be alone.”

“I promise. You won’t be alone.”

We let go of each other, and even my mom’s eyes have gone glassy. She carries my suitcase downstairs where everyone else has already congregated on the porch.

Gemma and Melissa hug me, and I’m sandwiched between them as they are promising to visit. They are quick to push me aside to fuss over their new favorite person. They exchange something with Haden—phone numbers, I suppose.

Dad loads the car, then moves toward me to give me one of his big bear hugs. “Take care of yourself, poodle. We’ll see you when we get back from Fiji.”

“Oh, that’s right. Your second honeymoon.” I cringe.

“I’ve got a new bikini. I forgot to show you,” Mom says excitedly.

“It’s quite a piece of string. I’m going to have to shoo those Fijian men away,” Dad jokes.

Gemma and I both groan at the same time before I walk toward the car and give my final wave goodbye.

“What do you mean the flight’s canceled?”

The crack of the thunder startles both of us as we stand at the crowded check-in desk. The attendant gives us a dumb look. Haden is angry and slamming his fists on the counter to no avail. The line behind us is out the door, and it appears everyone is as frustrated as we are.

Annoyed, I lean against the counter with my back to the attendant as she punches stuff into her computer.

“You okay?” Haden calms down enough to ask the question.

“Yeah, just tired.”

Apparently, due to this wretched storm, all flights are canceled. Haden is still mouthing off, and I turn around and push him out of the way since he is getting nowhere with this.

“What are you going to do to compensate us? Accommodations for starters?” I take charge.

She clicks away on her computer and makes a few phone calls. A minute later, we are booked at the hotel by the airport. According to her, it’s the last room available. Now it’s my turn to panic.

“What do you mean, only one room?” I raise my voice.

“Well, I assumed you were a cou—”

I interrupt her. “Never assume! It makes an ass—”

Haden places his hand on my shoulder. “Okay, calm down,” he says coolly. “No big deal, you take the bed, and I’ll take the chair.”

“You can’t sleep in a chair, Haden.”

“We shouldn’t be in the same bed…”