CHAPTERTWENTY-TWO
Anne
I was feeling off. I tried to blame it on fatigue or hormones, but deep down I knew that wasn’t it.
After my short chat with Bran when we learned I was pregnant, I hadn’t seen him much and when I did, it felt strained. Oh sure, he was attentive when it came to the baby, but other than that, he was distant. Or maybe it was me.
I ate in my room the next two nights, having a difficult time grappling with the decision I’d made about having his child and how it would turn out in the end.
How would I walk away?
I met with the personal trainer on the day’s she came, but Bran didn’t work out with me. In his defense, he was at the office, but it still felt like he’d been avoiding me.
I told myself it was a good thing that we were more distant. It was going to be hard enough to leave the baby, how would I leave him if my feelings for him grew more than they already were?
So, for the next week, my life was my own. The only noticeable difference was the number of security people hovering around the property. I noticed them when I’d take a walk around the grounds to get fresh air. I wasn’t surprised they were there. Getting more security was definitely something Bran would do.
The following week, I was beginning to go stir crazy staying home, so I made arrangements to have lunch with Harper and Lane. I didn’t realize how stifled I’d been feeling in Bran’s house until I was away from it. Once at the beachside restaurant, it was like I could pull in a full breath.
We sat on the patio of the restaurant where colorful blooms of flowers filled the area. It was a restaurant I’d come too often in my younger days, but hadn’t been able to afford once my father disowned me.
“You must be rolling in the dough,” Lane said as she sat across from me. “I don’t think I’ve ever been here. I always thought it was too expensive.”
“Archer hasn’t brought you here?” I asked.
She shook her head. “We spend most of our evenings with Emery. When we do go out, it’s nice but we haven't made it here yet.”
“Sorry I’m late.” Harper strode up to the table. She gave us both an air kiss and sat down. “Have drinks been ordered?”
“Not yet.”
As if the waiter knew, he showed up. Harper ordered a vodka tonic. I ordered bubble water. Lane ordered lemonade.
“You girls are no fun.” Harper pouted. “We should get a bottle of wine.”
I looked down as I shook my head. God how I wished I could tell them I was pregnant. I still hadn’t figured out how I was going to explain it. I thought I had time.
I suppose I did as the pregnancy books Bran left me in the room suggested I wouldn’t show until four or five months.
“Some of us have to work,” Lane said looking at her menu.
“I work.” Harper grinned. “Sometimes.”
“Don’t make us not like you for having a perfect life,” Lane quipped.
“It’s not perfect.” She tried to say it with humor, but sadness swept over her face. Was she missing Bran?
“Have you ever thought of working for the family company?” I asked her.
She rolled her eyes. “Bran would love that. He keeps trying to pass projects to me, but I know it’s just a way for him to keep tabs on me.”
I remembered how he expressed concern that she didn’t have direction. “Are you sure? Maybe he just wants to help you find a purpose in life. Or he needs help.”
She arched a brow. “You’ve met Bran. Does he look like he needs my help?”
No. But I knew he’d like her to be involved. Sure, he’d keep tabs on her, but I also believed he wanted to spend time with her.
“You’re looking good, Anne,” Lane said. “That new job must be panning out really well.”