Lateisha rolled her eyes, wanting to just get this over with before she changed her mind. She had to remind herself, more than once, about the thirty-thousand and doing Bryce a favor. Otherwise she would have booked it from the office a half hour ago. Twenty minutes of staring at the ceiling later, Lateisha was allowed to get up and get dressed.
“Is there anything I shouldn’t do?” Lateisha asked when she walked out of the room.
“Nope. We will have you come back in two weeks to see if it took and then we will discuss prenatal visits etc. at that time. If you’re pregnant that is.” The nurse, just as cheery as the doctor, said as she walked Lateisha out.
Lateisha made an appointment for two weeks later and stepped into the waiting room. Bryce sat there, head in his hands. He didn’t see her approach and for a moment she just studied him. He seemed different; not as prim and proper as usual. His hair was a bit disheveled, in a sexy way, and his jaw was covered in brown stubble. If Lateisha hadn’t just been defiled by a turkey baster she would have thrown herself at him. He looked damn sexy.
“Hey,” she said, resting a hand on his shoulder.
Touching him was always met with electricity and she resisted the urge to snatch her hand back. Bryce stood. He had a strange look on his face and just looked at her for a moment. He almost looked as if he wanted to kiss her and Lateisha’s heart raced at the idea.
“You ready?” He asked, turning towa
rds the door without another word.
Lateisha frowned, something was off but she wasn’t sure what. She missed prim and proper Bryce, and that thought confused her more than anything.
*****
Bryce offered to give Lateisha a ride home again but she declined, needing some time to herself to digest everything. She could possibly, at that moment, become pregnant with Bryce’s child. A strange shiver of excitement ran down her spine but she ignored it. This wasn’t her baby, it was Bryce’s. Besides, she didn’t even like kids or want them. Did she?
Shaking her head in confusion, Lateisha climbed onto the bus. The whole ride back to her apartment Lateisha’s mind raced. Did she want to sign the paper? Did she want to give Bryce their baby? Did she even want a baby? Did she really just want Bryce? By the time she reached home she was so confused. Becky was sitting on the couch watching a movie when Lateisha walked in the door. She fought the urge to run for her room and slam the door. Being mature about this was important if she wanted Becky on board.
“Hey,” Lateisha said with a lame wave.
“Hey, girl,” Becky answered, not looking up from the TV.
“I’m going to go lie down for a bit,” Lateisha said, heading towards her room.
Becky nodded, still not looking at Lateisha. She was mad, but Lateisha didn’t have the energy to care.
Feeling extremely worn out, Lateisha stripped off her clothes and pulled a t-shirt over her head. She fell into bed and pulled the blanket to her chin, wondering if she just made the biggest mistake of her life.
*****
“I don’t even know why I’m telling you all of this, John,” Bryce said, hanging his head as he pressed the phone to his ear.
After the appointment he went back to the office, of course. His long time friend and business partner, John Wilson, called him while he was brooding with a glass of Jack and staring out the window.
“I think this is a mistake, Bryce. She’s using you for your money. Can’t you see? Even if she does end up pregnant not only will she keep the baby, but she will also try to swindle you out of millions to take care of it,” John practically screamed at Bryce through the phone.
Bryce pulled the phone from his ear for a moment until he was done his ranting.
“Are you finished?” Bryce asked with disdain, nothing he did lately felt like the right choice.
“Yes. I’m just worried about you, that’s all. Why couldn’t you get married and have a baby the traditional way?” John said, his tone less harsh.
“I don’t have time for all that. Dating takes time that I don’t have. This is easier and a way to have a child to pass my company on to,” Bryce answered with defeat. Maybe he was wrong?
“Well, as long as you’re happy with your choices, man. I can’t say anything else.” They said their goodbyes and hung up.
Bryce swigged the last of the golden liquid in the glass and slammed it onto the side table where he kept his liquor. A knock sounded at the door.
“Come in!” He bellowed with a little too much ire.
His bitchy blond assistant walked in, a faux look of being wounded on her face. Bryce had an inkling she was gunning for him because of his status in the city and his money but he wasn’t the least bit attracted to her.
“What’s wrong, Bryce?” She purred, her bottom lip poking out like he hurt her feelings.