Joan immediately liked Summer. She was nothing like those other snobbish women who would call Nick’s home talking down to her just because she was the housekeeper. It was a good thing he didn’t flaunt those women in front of her, because the first time one of those heifers said anything out of the way, Joan swore she’d knock them into next week. Humph, she’d tell Nick a thing or two if he had anything to say about it. Summer, however, was a pleasant change from the others.
Joan hid her shock when Nick informed her that the mother of his soon-to-be born child would be at his place until she delivered. She was shocked mostly because she’d never seen a woman present in his home in all the years she worked for him. Sure, there were times when she occasionally worked a weekend he’d come home on a Saturday or Sunday morning around eight reeking of expensive perfume. As far as she was aware, his mother was the only woman other than herself who was granted entry into his home.
When Joan arrived to work that Monday morning, Summer was curled up on the sofa
engrossed in a magazine. When she stepped into the living room she noticed Summer first and
immediately stiffened her back. I know little Miss Thang better not start no stuff with me, ‘cause I ain’t putting up with her mess! Nick’s either. Got me playing nursemaid to this gal. I don’t get paid to be no nurse. He should’ve kept his britches on! Joan was pulled from her mental fussing when she heard a soft voice.
“Good morning.” Summer uncurled her legs, stood and waddled over to Joan. She offered her hand to the older woman along with a bright smile. “You must be Joan.”
Taking the offered hand, returning the smile, “And you must be Summer.” She’s a pretty little thing .She got some manners too. I like sweetie already.
Instantly the older woman and younger woman became fast friends.
♥♥♥
When at home with Summer, Nick was more than accommodating, catering to her every need. “Do you need anything? Can I get this for you? Can I get that for you?” If she so much as reached for the remote while watching television he’d jump to get if for her. All of the attention at times was suffocating. “Nick, I’m fine. I don’t need you waiting on me hand and foot.”
“Yes, you do. I gave Dr. Neil my word. I don’t want my baby born prematurely.”
Summer lifted a brow. “Your baby?”
“Okay, our baby,” he compromised.
Evenings were no different. Every night he transformed the master bathroom into a
luxurious spa. The aroma of lavender candles strategically arranged throughout illuminated the
spacious room. While the Jacuzzi bubbled with soothing bath salts awaiting Summer’s arrival.
“Oh, Nick, you didn’t have to do this. It smells so good in here.” This I can get used to.
“No Problem. Now stop talking and get undressed.”
Summer knitted her eyebrows together. “Huh?”
Nick chuckled. “Come on get undressed.”
“I’m not getting undressed in front of you.” Summer told him indignantly.
“Woman, stop playing, I’ve seen it all before.”
“Yeah, before I was thirty pounds fatter. I’m not getting undressed in front of you, Nick.”
The Mexican standoff began as they both stood facing each other, arms crossed over their chests, neither moving.
“All right…already…you always have to have things your way.” Summer ranted as she pulled and yanked at every article of clothing until she was booty butt naked.
“Satisfied?”
Taking a few steps bringing him closer, Nick touched her swollen belly. “Now was that so bad?”
“No, but why−”
“Did I want you to get undressed in front of me?”
“Yeah.”
“I just wanted to see for myself.”
“What?”
Nick let his eyes seductively scan Summer from head to toe then reverse again. “If you were still…sexy.”
Summer blushed with embarrassment as she shyly whispered, “And?”
“Most definitely.”
With Nick lavishing so much attention on her, Summer found it almost impossible to control her emotions. He was making it difficult for her to keep her guard up. She didn’t know how or when things between them slip back to where they’d been before he walked out on her. The only element missing was passion.
With Nick’s new and improved attitude, Summer lost focus. Her goal was to get him to understand she was afraid of telling him about the pregnancy for a number of reasons, rejection being the first. She was afraid if she’d told him he would’ve rejected both her and the baby. She had survived his walking out, had pulled herself together, had managed to get on with her life and had planned to raise her baby on her own. Telling him about the baby wasn’t an option. Neither was having herself and her baby discarded like old dishrags.