Free Corporate A$$ by Sandi Lynn

one of them.” She sniffled.
    “Who’s the father?” I broke our embrace.
    “Jeremy.”
    “Which one was he?” I asked with a twisted face.
    “The one I met on Tinder. You remember. The one who said he lived in L.A. but really he was only here on business for the weekend and then he gave me a fake phone number and deleted his profile.”
    “Oh yeah. Are you sure it’s him? I mean, you’ve had a lot of one-night stands.”
    “He was the only one I didn’t use a condom with.”
    “But you’re on birth control,” I spoke as I took the cartons of food over to the table.
    “I was in between birth control when I was with him.”
    “Whatever decision you make; I’ll stand by you.”
    “I’m going to keep it. I have a job, make good money, have a nice home, and there’s no reason I shouldn’t. There are a lot of women who are single moms. Look at Jessica from finance. She used a sperm donor. And I’m not getting any younger.”
    “You’re only twenty-eight.” I smiled as I bit into my egg roll.
    “Exactly, and with all the douchebags out there, I may never find someone. This could be my only chance to have a kid.”
    “Then I’m happy for you. Oh my God, we’re having a baby.” I smiled as I grabbed hold of her hand and squeezed it tight.
    After Lydia left, I finished cleaning up the kitchen and headed upstairs. After changing into my pajamas, I climbed into bed. Just as I snuggled in for the night, after a day of longing for my fluffy pillow, my phone beeped. Rolling over, I picked it up from the nightstand and saw a text message from Nathan. Why was he texting me so late?
    “I just wanted to say that I was extremely disappointed that you said no to having dinner with me tonight.”
    “My friend needed me.”
    “Maybe I needed you.”
    A small smile crossed my lips as I read his message.
    “I highly doubt that, Mr. Carter.”
    “Believe what you will. We’ll talk tomorrow. Good night.”
    “Good night.”
    Setting my phone on the nightstand, I sank back down into my bed and pulled the covers over me. It still smelled like him. Outdoorsy, crisp, clean, and like the open water. Damn him for his lingering scent. Damn him for being right there while I was in a vulnerable state and damn him for wanting to kiss me. If he wanted to kiss me again, I’d let him because I knew damn well what that kiss would lead to, and now that I’d experienced him, my body wanted more and possibly needed more. I took in a deep breath as I closed my eyes.

Chapter 15
    Fiona
     
    I poured some coffee in my travel mug, grabbed my purse, hopped into my car, and headed to Paso Robles. My eyes were shielded by my sunglasses as the sun was at full force and shining brightly amongst the thin scattered clouds that graced the blue sky. The warm wind blew across my face and my favorite tunes were on full blast. It was a beautiful California day for a road trip, one that I hoped would be worth it. As I was driving on the 101, singing along to Meghan Trainor’s “No,” my phone rang and Nathan’s name popped up.
    “Good morning, Nathan,” I answered.
    “Good morning. I’m thinking breakfast. What do you say?”
    “No can do.”
    “Excuse me?” he spoke with a hint of irritation in his voice.
    “I’m on the road and I won’t be back until early evening.”
    “Where are you going?”
    “To the vineyard in Paso Robles.”
    “That’s a three-and-a-half-hour drive.”
    “I know that.”
    “Why didn’t you tell me this yesterday? You could have taken my plane and been there in an hour.”
    “I like the drive. It clears my head. Plus, why would I tell you?”
    I heard a long sigh. “Because I’m an investor and I think I have a right to know.”
    “You’re not an investor yet. I haven’t seen any proposals.”
    “That’s because every time I try to get with you, you’re unavailable!” he shouted.
    I smiled.
    “Have to go, Nathan. Josh is calling in. Talk to you soon. Have a good day.”
    I turned up the