Page 77 of Trials of a One Night Stand
My heart drops. “You want to try again?”
“No, the Zentello ship has sailed, so it’s a good thing there are lots of other boats to choose from.”
Disgusting. No, despicable. “I’m planning to talk to the judge.”
I’d hoped to tell Nate first, but I’d rather Grierson hear what happened from me and not from someone else just wanting to spill tea. It’s my reputation and career at stake.
“She’s gone for the day,” Oliver says and then seems to catch himself. “Or so I’ve been told.”
Yeah, right. My guess is he wanted to tattle on me again, but the judge had already left for the day. I’ll have to see if she’s in tomorrow after I speak with Jason.
That’s one meeting I’m not looking forward to, but at least I have a job for another night. That has to count for something.
Nate
I’m sitting on the edge of Zelda’s bed. She has more color in her face, but I’m glad Jack’s made her stay home to recover fully, even though she’s been working remotely. I took Cliff’s advice and headed over to her place after lunch. I’ve been telling her about how I met Jayne and what’s been going on. “The last thing you should know is Jayne’s pregnant. The baby’s mine.”
Zelda’s mouth drops open. She’s rarely speechless, and I wonder if she remembers saying she didn’t want to have a family with me. That I was too wrapped up in Zentello, and she didn’t want to be a single mom while married.
“Zel?” I ask.
She sighs. “I can’t believe you’ve kept this from me for so long.”
“In my defense, it didn’t become a thing until I saw her in court at the preliminary hearing. Before that, we’d agreed it would be one night. And that was before she was assigned the case.”
“You still could have told me, Nate. The fact you’ve been dealing with this alone.”
Except I haven’t been alone. I have Jayne. “I’m sorry. We just thought the fewer people who knew, the better.”
“But I’m not just people.” She’s babbling, the way she does when she’s upset. And I hate that I’m the one causing this distress. “Zentello is my business, too, and if being in a relationship with Jayne Everton will harm my business, then I should have been told before you even batted those damn long eyelashes of yours at her.”
I’ve totally fucked up. With Zelda and with Jayne. We should have waited until after the trial, even with a baby on the way. The problem was, and still is, I’m not sure I can be away from her even if I want to. I’m falling deeper and deeper, and my need for her is growing exponentially. “I am sorry.”
It’s not much, but it’s true. I scratch my neck.
“I trust you, Nate.” Zelda holds my hand. “You’ve been my best friend since grad school, and I love you for trying to protect me, if that’s what you thought you were doing, but stop and don’t ever do it again.”
“I promise.” I smile, grateful we’re best friends and business partners. It’s what our relationship should probably have always been. “Thanks.”
“You should go see Jayne and tell her everything, including about me.”
“Really?”
Zelda nods. “Yes, she needs to know, and take her flowers.”
“Okay.”
“I want to be her friend when all this is over with.”
“You’ve got it.”
“Great.” Zelda winks. “Otherwise, there’s no way she’ll let me be the baby’s godmother.”
“I’ll put in a good word for you.”
“Thanks, and don’t forget the flowers.”
“You’ve said it twice now.” I hope flowers help my cause. I can’t imagine they’ll hurt. “I won’t.”
