Chapter 8

Skylar spun on her heels forcing her attention back to Thomas. He was regarding the scene between her and Austin with interest. A slight glint in his eyes and she instantly regretted the inability to reign in her reactions. Thomas always had the ridiculous notion that there was more circulating under the apparent anger between Skylar and Austin. It was that thought that had caused her to steer clear of Austin all together when they were younger. Their dislike for each other was often misconstrued.

She didn’t appreciate anyone guessing her emotions. Wrongly at that. She knew herself best of all. There was no underlying reason for her aversion to Austin past the reason that he was an over-confident, self-centred jerk. His attitude wasn’t for everyone and especially not for her. He’d made his abhorrence of her as clear as the day from the start. And she was not a starry eyed female willing to boast his fragile ego with her affection. So she did what she did best, she mirrored his emotions right back to him until every bit of it gained truth.

Austin undid the button of his shit jacket at the centre of his belly, suddenly feeling constricted, his eyes trailing down her body as she turned her back to him. To the dark mat of hair on her head, to the cinch in her waist to rest appreciatively on the soft rise of her ass. Austin rubbed his jaw but remained silent.

“Alright, both of you,” Thomas stepped forward, taking command of the room. Noting the manner in which Austin behaved in Skylar’s presence. And no, he didn’t for a second miss the subtle way Austin was eying her body. “let’s take it down a notch?” he advised them.

“Are you really pregnant?” he questioned Skylar sternly. He couldn’t wrap his head around her forming a relationship with Colin.

“Sshhh.” She hissed, “not so loud.” The last thing she wanted was to risk anyone in her office finding out. “and yes, she lowered her voice I am and as much as it physically pains me to admit, it’s Colin’s.” she half whispered.

“How?” Thomas had been holding out a sliver of hope that they’d been mistaken up until this point but she’d confirmed the very words he refused to accept.

“Um, do you need me to draw you a picture of how pregnancy happens?” Skylar rolled her eyes, how stupid were these questions? Thomas inhaled, “Why Colin?”

“Why is this so important to you?” She crossed her arms, completely ignoring Austin but he was more than happy with the view he had. It was nice seeing her sassiness directed at someone else. Entertaining to say the least. “I had sex, and now I am pregnant end of story.”

Thomas noted the increased tempo in the rise and fall of her chest and the manner in which her cheeks flushed. Something was off.

“Fine, I have to be back at the agency can I come over tonight for a discussion?” he asked, he needed to give her time.

Skylar seemed to consider this, remaining utterly still for a few seconds. Spending time with Thomas again would be nice, she had to admit he was the only person she missed all these years. Her mother would also benefit from his presence.

Skylar nodded. “Eight good with you?” She asked.

“Just fine.” Thomas agreed.

“Great, so dinner at—” Austin had leaned off the wall, ready to leave.

“He is not invited.” Skylar cut across Austin’s bold insinuation before he could complete it, addressing her wishes to Thomas alone.

“That hurt my feelings.” He furrowed his brows and smirked at her.

“I bet.” She replied sardonically, wishing she could actually hurt him. Number one on her list was still to knock that self-satisfied smile off his stupid face.

***

"I thought I told you not to interrupt me?" Skylar turned her attention affectionately to Paris' smiling face sticking out from behind the door. If she had a sister, she imagined the relationship to be a replica of the one she shared with this young girl.

Paris snuck in and hovered as Skylar rearranged her station before heading home for the day. "What did you do this time?" Skylar’s voice echoed throughout the room, the insinuation more than a mere allegation.

“Nothing, I swear!” Paris’ hand shot up instantly for the oath, her eyes following Skylar’s movements around the space. Skylar brushed past her with an unabashed snicker.

“Then I suggest you raise your right hand.” She guided Paris’s left hand down, Skylar laughing further at the red invading Paris’ cheeks.

“Damn it!” she muttered under her breath, “Always have problems telling my left from right,” she brought both hands up in front of her and gazed back and forth the between them, “no wonder I get lost so frequently.” She concluded dismally. She was twenty years old for heaven’s sake. A twenty-year-old that was studying medicine. Was she allowed to have such brain malfunctions/

“The important thing is that you always end up on the right road.” Skylar encouraged her. “Now what mischief is on your mind?” Skylar redirected Paris’ train of thought.

“No mischief, just curious.” Paris drew out the words as if she was reading it off a placard somewhere.

“About?” Skylar prompted her over the sound of shelves closing.

Paris took this as invitation to speak her mind. “Not one but two incredibly handsome men invaded the premises today,” She replied dreamily, a sigh hanging on her tongue. “honestly not surprised.” Paris added. Skylar was what she would describe as an exotic beauty. She had eyes so piercing that the devil wouldn’t mind getting lost in, flowing dark hair that was untameable and skin coated with a glowing bronze hue. There was no doubt that she had men banging at her door for a mere glance.

Skylar heard the unvoiced question in Paris’ words, “Don’t you have somewhere to be?” Skylar glanced back at the oval clock dangling over the door’s entrance. It was almost 4 o’ clock and she knew for certain Paris had online classes in the evening. A timely save as Skylar had rather not have Paris asking too much questions about Thomas or Austin. That in itself would remind her of her pregnancy and how she was going to explain to her business partner that she’d be taking maternity leave so soon after they expanded their practice.

She didn’t want to consider how reckless everyone would find her. Skylar Taavon, the stern, no nonsense boss had gotten herself knocked up without a perspective father in sight. Not that she cared what people said, but would that affect the standard of her child’s life? Was it too much of her to ask an innocent soul to ignore the musings of a society that found fault in any and everything? Was she being selfish?

“Shoot!” Paris’ entire body received a huge jolt of electricity as she glanced the time. She’d desperately wanted to take a nap before class but that was a pipe dream at this point. She groaned loudly, forgetting completely about the two mysterious strangers. Her mind now occupied with coming to terms with sitting in class for a full two hours with a lecturer that could bottle their voice as sleeping medication.

“I thought I heard you two gossiping in here.” Both females diverted their attention to Jude Stephens popping his head through a crevice in the door.

“Mr. Stephens, you’re back!” Paris rushed over to his side, studying his face. “I don’t know how it’s possible but you seem to look older after coming back from vacation.” She said gravely. Skylar shook her head and smiled. It was always lively with the two of them around.

“Missed me, huh?” He out-stretched his arms to give Paris a fleeting hug. They had a unique relationship. Paris taunted him about his age, although he wasn’t past the age of thirty-five and he allowed her the fun of it. Both Skylar and Jude had taken up the mantle of surrogate guardians for Paris.

“Oh, I got to go!” Paris declared, rattling off her farewells to them both. After she was gone, Jude fully entered the room.

“I’d offer you a hug as well but—” his voice trailed off.

“I don’t do physical contact.” Skylar finished the sentence for him and he nodded with a smile. “Glad to have you back though.” She reassured him.

“How has work been in my absence?” he gazed around, still clad in jeans and a t-shirt. His beard had grown out more than Skylar ever seen before. It was clear he’d come straight from the airport. She wasn’t surprised, they’d fought tooth and nail to establish themselves and it was the first time he’d actually taken a break leaving her to manage alone. She didn’t understand his level of paranoia. The building was still standing and they were thriving. Even if he didn’t have faith in her abilities to manage without him, she had enough for them both.

“Uneventful.” Skylar lied, imagines of the past week flashing through her mind, warily knowing it wasn’t the last she’d seen of Austin Cyner.