She didn't trust herself to do anything more than nod and leave.
How in the world was she going to deal with seeing Alex with Annette? He would go back to her. He wouldn’t let his own child grow up without a father. Jamie could see that in his eyes, and the way he so fiercely protected the thought of being a dad. Why would Annette want a baby? The toothpick did not seem the type to want children, let alone carry one. How would Jamie deal with Annette? Deal with her and Alex together?
The answer was simple. She wouldn't.
Chapter 11
"You ready?" Gina's voice pulled Jamie from the report she was trying to edit. She couldn't seem to concentrate on anything for more than a few minutes, but who would be able to? Alex was in the next office, probably trying to decide if their relationship was over due to knocking up his ex. Could things get any worse?
"Yeah," Jamie mumbled and picked up her purse. "I need something strong."
"Like a man, or are we talking good liquor?" Gina smiled and walked out into the hall.
"Both, maybe. Who knows?"
"Sounds like you got a new story to tell me." Gina pressed her shoulder against Jamie's.
"Only if you want to be depressed with me." Jamie gave her friend a tight smile and held the door for her.
"That's not good. Spill."
They got into the elevator with a crowd of people from the office, and Jamie simply gave her a look. "At the bar."
After making their way through the large crowd of suits trying to get out to the street, they decided on trying a new bar. It was just a block from the office, and lots of the staff had been talking about it all week. The drinks were cheap, strong, and delicious.
"So talk to me. The anticipation is likely to kill me. You know my life has little to no drama in it." Gina messed with her long dark hair as it blew around them.
"It's highly confidential. Good?"
"Of course. You know that I would never spill your secrets." Gina tugged the door to the bar and smiled at the host. "Two, please."
"Right this way, ladies." The younger male gave Gina the once-over and smiled before turning to walk them to their seats.
Gina wagged her eyebrows at Jamie and they both chuckled. The guy could be a kid brother or someone either of them babysat, but a love interest? Never.
Jamie pulled the drink menu out and scanned it as she dove right into the heart of the issue. "So, let's see... Alex thinks I have feelings for his brother Mark, my parents are getting divorced, and one of Alex's old girlfriends popped up pregnant earlier this week and says it’s his."
Gina sat there, her eyes wide and mouth open.
Jamie couldn't help but laugh at the expression on her friend’s face. "Right? I told you it was depressing."
"Wow. You can't make up that kind of shit." She shook her head slowly and glanced down, as if she were trying to comprehend all of the issues presented. "The pregnant girlfriend is a bit too much. So help me, it better not be fucking Annette. I hate that bitch. The other things suck, but your parents haven't gotten along in years. Kudos to your dad for leaving your mother. Sorry."
"No, you're right." On my dad, and on Annette. Jamie glanced up at the waitress. "I'll take a double shot of Jack with a spritz of Coke."
"Apple Martini for me, please." Gina turned her attention back on Jamie. "And the situation with Mark... please. That's easy to clean up and most likely just Alex having issues with his past. But the pregnant chick? Damn."
"Right? I think the worst part about all of it is that I think we were just starting to move toward being in a solid relationship." She glanced down, focusing on the straw that she rolled between her fingers. "That’s not going to happen now."
"What?”
“There is way too much baggage here.”
“Did Alex say who it was?”
“You guessed it before. Annette.”
“Fuck! She is such a skank bitch!” Gina punched the table. “Alex needs to make sure the bitch is actually pregnant with his baby.”