The Office Rival: An Enemies-to-Lovers Romance

“Patrick? Your ex? The man who was married with kids and fucked you till all hell broke loose? That Patrick?”

She grins, and automatically I worry she will if she hasn’t already jumped on the boat to Brokenheartsville. Again.

“Vicky, don’t go there again. You were a mess last time,” I gently warn her.

“But this time I’m over him. I’m just curious to find out what he wants.” She tries to reassure me.

This isn’t good. I have half a mind to call him up and tell him to fuck off, or I’ll chop his balls up and feed it to the snappy dog that lives next door. But, of course, I try to be the mature and ever-so-caring friend. I was there through it all, from the snotty sobs to plotting the ultimate revenge. What I didn’t expect was to be back here two years later and for Vicky to so eagerly jump back in.

“What else would he want but to get you into bed?”

“Closure,” she replies.

“Guys don’t want closure. They just go find some new jackrabbit to fuck… or something along those lines,” I mumble.

“What?”

“Never mind.”

Vicky continues to justify her reasons for responding to him, and I continue to play the friend who tries to stop her from making another wrong decision. But it’s her decision to make, and no amount of persuasion from me will change her mind.

Mental note—stock up on ice cream because it’s all downhill from here.

“I’m guessing we’ll continue this conversation tonight. Listen, I love you, but if he hurts you in the slightest way, I’ll go all psycho on his ass.”

“I know you got my back,” she simpers, leaning in to kiss my forehead as reassurance. “Are you going somewhere now?”

“The Jerk stood me up this morning, so I missed my appointment. The ultrasound place has another opening this afternoon, so once I finish this report I’m working on, I’m heading out.”

“Uh-oh… I need the whole story.” She glances at her watch. “But I’ve got a meeting I need to get to. I’ll call you tonight, okay?” She raises her eyes, then quickly says goodbye and disappears.

I make it to the appointment with only a minute to spare. The sonographer, Sandra, invites me into the room, and just as I’m about to close the door behind me, there is chaos in the waiting room.

“Am I late?”

Panting and out of breath, the Jerk bends, resting his body against the door and trying to redeem himself. His hair is a wild mess, and sweat is visibly dripping down his forehead.

“Why are you here? I didn’t tell you…”

Damn Vicky! That conniving little witch!

“I’m here, okay? Quit giving me gr

ief.”

Secretly, I am glad he is here. Whatever the reason he felt the need to see our baby, I don’t care. It’s the first moment throughout the pregnancy where I feel normal, and when I say normal, I mean with a partner right beside me. Sure, it’s all fantasy, but just for this short time, I can pretend it’s real.

But, of course, I wouldn’t think of telling him that, and instead, I poke fun at him.

“Geez, Jerk, wouldn’t hurt you to hit the gym once in a while.”

“I ran ten blocks,” he responds, exasperated. “In an Armani suit.”

I roll my eyes at his melodrama and walk into the room. My cheeks start to flush as I think of having to change into the gown. Thankfully, Sandra senses my embarrassment and leads me to the bathroom inside the room where I quickly change into my gown. Walking back into the area, my bare body lays beneath the thin material and feels extremely exposed.

I cross to the other side of the bed as Sandra assists me with getting comfortable. The sheets are placed strategically over my private parts, and Haden takes a seat beside me as the warm gel is spread all over my belly.

“That’s a lot of lube,” he snickers under his breath.