And nothing will change that.
I take the long route home, walking in a daze up Madison Avenue. People walk past, going about their business as usual. There’s a group of young girls in front of me, laughing while carrying designer shopping bags. I envy the life I once had before my insecurities ate away at me, which ultimately led to making wrong decisions. But then, I remember what Mom said, how I’d been fortunate in life. I expected bumps, but this is a next-level dark hole ditch with no chance of climbing out.
Before I know it, I turn right and head in a different direction until I find myself in Eric’s office. Without a greeting or a single word, I take a seat and just stare at his desk. Eric is a minimalist, and he can’t get enough when it comes to diaries and planners. He refuses to get with the times and go electronic, but I don't care what he does as long as he gets the job done.
“You look like rat shit.” He cringes, eyeing my hair to then scan my face.
“Thanks, I don’t know what rat shit looks like, but it can’t be pleasant.”
“Ava, what’s wrong? You’re scaring a very fragile Eric. During my Pilates class this morning, I split my pants, and it was laundry day. The hot blond behind me caught a glimpse of my no branded underwear.”
“Well, there’s no easy way to say it, so here’s the trigger warning.” I take a deep breath as Eric bites his lip. “I’m going to tell you something, and you’ll need to sit down. In the risk of aging you a few years, which we know you’ve worked hard to stay wrinkle-free, I suggest you serve yourself a wine or something stiff to process all I’m about to tell you.”
“It’s eleven in the morning, and the only drink I have in here is some fairy cocktail stuff someone assumed I’d love because it’s pink.”
“I suggest you start pouring.”
Eric walks to his shelf and removes the bottle to pour a glass. He sniffs the liquor, with a slight dry heave following.
“Okay, I’m ready, and I’m sitting. Shock me.”
“I’m pregnant,” I tell him, then rush, “Austin is the father. We slept together on New Year’s Eve after I found Olivier in bed with another man. Only Andy and Adriana know. But I just told Austin, who frankly, didn’t take the news well. I’m going to answer the list of questions circulating inside your brain right now. We used protection. We were both drunk. From what I remember, it was really good, and yes, he’s well-hung. The end. Should you have that drink now?”
Eric takes a long drink, not stopping until the champagne flute is empty. When he pulls it away, he lets out a raspy groan and begins to cough.
“Ava, honey, you’ve just aged me to my golden years.” He fans his face, then pours himself another glass. Without a second thought, he drinks it straight. “You’re pregnant to Austin? This is scandalous, and I’m talking worse than all the stuff Lex and Charlie went through.”
I nod in silence. How can I argue that? This is the beginning of what will be a media scandal, more so than my relationship with Olivier. To everyone's knowledge, we broke up. There was some talk about it, but for the most part, people were sad to see the split because their social media feeds weren’t as aesthetically pleasing without the two of us together.
“Eric…” I trail off, twisting my hands together. “I’m terrified to tell Millie.”
“Amelia? What about Daddy Dearest?”
“My father will be angry,” I admit, trying not to have a panic attack for the hundredth time today. “Him, I can handle. I’m just worried Millie will—”
“What?”
“Disown me. Is that even a thing with sisterhood?”
Eric releases a sigh. “Amelia would never do that. She loves you, and besides, she’s married to a man she loves. It’s not like she can get jealous. So, when are you telling them?”
“I’m thinking about
flying out tomorrow. I can’t hide this for much longer.”
“Oh, to be a fly on the wall,” Eric gasps. “Wait, what about Lochie?”
I purse my lips, glancing out the window. “Nothing, I stood him up. I can’t deal with anything else, Eric.”
“Could’ve been something great.”
“Yeah, well, now I’m pregnant to another man. The Universe sure has a way of fucking up my life for me.”
“Ava, sweetie, you need to breathe, and we’ll get through this.” Eric places his hand on mine, his breath close enough that I can smell the potent pink whatever the hell it is. “I’m here, and so is Tristan. You’ve got our support always, no matter what happens from here.
I have no idea what will happen.
But I know my sister better than anyone else. My gut is telling me the worst is yet to come.