I nodded, even though she couldn't see me. I had been keeping what James and I were doing a secret. I was keeping the baby a secret. I thought about telling her about the pregnancy, but decided not to. At least not right now, not today.
“Tessa, I'd love to meet up with you tomorrow,” I said instead of telling her everything. “I'm in town, but James is making a statement tonight and I have to get ready for it. Can I see you tomorrow? I'll tell you everything then.”
I held my breath waiting for her answer. Tomorrow, I could tell her that James and I were a couple because it would be out in the public. Today, until the statement went out, that information was still covered under the non-disclosure agreement I had signed. I didn't think that James would really hold me to it, but I didn't want to jeopardize his trust in me either.
“Okay,” she said after a moment. “I just wanted to get his off my chest. Thank you for not being mad.”
I laughed. It would be pretty petty of me to be angry at her for sleeping with my brother four years ago. I could even understand why she hadn't told me. She, more than anyone, knew that I had the hots for James. How awkward must it have been for her to keep that secret for that long?
“I'm glad we're friends, Tessa.” I meant it too. “I have a feeling that I'm going to need friends soon.”
“We'll always be friends, Allie,” Tessa assured me. “I'll see you tomorrow, okay?”
“Okay. See
you later.”
I slowly brought the phone down from my ear and stared at Tessa's picture. I certainly hadn't seen that coming. I looked over at James and shook my head. He was making silly faces at the baby. I loved him with all my heart, even if he had slept with my best friend years ago.
I looked down at my watch and groaned. It was time to get ready. It was time for James to make a statement for the press.
We were about to go public.
Chapter 46
“You look great,” James said, kissing my cheek.
“I don't feel great,” I replied, glancing down at myself one last time. I wore a black, high-waisted pencil skirt and a flowing, light blue chiffon blouse. I looked professional, even if I felt like I was going to be sick. I wasn't entirely sure it was all just nerves. Being pregnant didn't exactly sit well with my stomach.
“Fake it then,” James advised me. He did a once over my body, his eyes dilating slightly and he licked his lips. “Because you look sexy as hell.”
“Maybe you just like that I'm carrying your baby,” I teased. I definitely liked when he looked at me like that. Hungry. Powerful. Possessive.
He moved over to me, looming over me and looking down at me like he might gobble me up in one bite. “Fuck yes, I do.” I shivered and he grinned before stepping back.
“Hold on. Your tie is crooked.” I reached up and straightened it. The motion felt familiar and right. Like this was how we were supposed to be.
I smoothed the silk tie down his chest, making sure it hung straight. He put his hands over mine and brought them to his lips.
“This is going to be fine,” he promised. “I'll take care of you.”
I looked up into his green eyes and knew he meant it. He would never let me down. He would never let our baby down. I nodded, feeling a little more confident. He took my hand in his and we walked out of the hotel room and downstairs to where the reporters were waiting.
I'd never seen so many people in my life wanting to get a picture of me. As soon as James and I stepped into the conference room, flashbulbs went off in a strobe like pattern. The world moved in bits and pieces, jumping from one flash of light to the next. James walked through it like it was nothing.
I followed, holding onto his hand like a life line to the podium. As we approached, he gave me one last squeeze before stepping up to the microphone. I stood behind him, folding my hands together in front of me and doing my best to smile and not look like I was about to puke.
“Thank you all for coming,” James started. “I'm sure you all have some questions, which I will answer after my statement.”
More flashes went off and every reporter in the room held up their recording device. James smiled as if this were nothing more than a room full of friends. I envied his easy confidence as he grinned at the cameras pointed right at him and charmed who ever was on the other side.
“I'm sure you've all seen the news today, or you wouldn't be here. I'm dating my stepsister.” James paused, waiting for the room to start breathing again. “Now, I'm sure to some of you, that statement is a bit crazy, but I'd like to take this chance to explain.”
Every reporter held their recorders up a little higher.
“Allie and I didn't grow up together. We don't have the same parents. The only thing that links us is that my mother and her father fell in love while we were in high school.” He smiled around the room. I didn't know how he did it. I was shaking in my shoes. “Now, I'm sure you can imagine how two hormonal, non-related teenagers felt about being under the same roof and being asked not to act on those hormones.”
A chuckle of laughter went through the room.