Talking Dirty With the Boss(42)
“And if it doesn’t work I’m returning home.”
He had to force the word out. “Yes.”
“Okay then,” she said slowly. “I think we’ve got a deal.”
…
“Wow, Mar,” Christie said, shocked. “When you drop a bombshell, you really drop a freaking bombshell.”
After Luke had left, Marisa had instantly picked up her phone to organize an emergency gossip meeting with Christie, only to find at least ten texts from her friend. Apparently after she and Luke had left the auction, Caleb had declared his undying love for Judith.
They’d met up at a café on Ponsonby Road, one of Auckland’s über-fashionable shopping strips, and Christie had given Marisa the lowdown on the Caleb/Jude situation.
Then Marisa had girded her loins and reciprocated by telling her friend about the Luke/Marisa/baby situation. Which she hadn’t been able to keep quiet about any longer, especially not if she was moving in with Luke.
Hence the bombshell statement.
“So let me get this straight,” Christie said, waving the spoon with which she’d been stirring her hot chocolate. “You and Luke had a one-night stand—”
“It wasn’t really a one-night stand. Technically, it was more a ten-minute stand. Against a door.”
“Mar, please. Spare me the freaking details. Anyway, you had a one-night stand and yesterday you found out you’re pregnant? And today you’re moving in with him?”
“Just for a month, but yep, that about covers it.”
Christie glared at her. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I am telling you.”
“Yesterday!”
Marisa toyed with her hot chocolate. Her second of the day. Hell, she deserved it if she couldn’t have coffee. “I know. I’m sorry. I was kind of in shock yesterday.”
“I get that. No wonder you lost it at the auction.” Christie chewed on her marshmallow. “So…you’re keeping the baby, I guess?”
“Yeah. I mean, I made a mistake but that’s not the kid’s fault. It’s mine. I’m the one who needs to take the consequences of it.”
Her friend’s brow wrinkled. “You want it then?”
Marisa found she was resting an unconscious hand on her stomach again. “I do.” She did. And one thing was for sure, she wasn’t going to screw things up with this kid. Even if it killed her.
“But the moving-in thing?” Christie leaned forward and added in a whisper, “What about those workplace relationship rules?”
“Uh, we’re actually not in a relationship so there’s no problem.”
“Sure, like I believe that.”
Marisa scowled. “It’s true.”
A crease appeared between Christie’s brows. “Well, whatever. I gotta say it seems weird.”
It was weird. But then Luke had provided a compelling argument that morning at breakfast. The whole “suite of rooms” and a housekeeper hadn’t sounded too shabby, either, but it had been his suggestion about what to do with her rent money that had made her really think. She needed money in order to pay off the rest of her debts, get this glass artist dream off the ground, and Luke’s method of savings would definitely make the whole process far less painful. Especially if he could triple her money, and given that he was a financial genius, she thought he probably would.
Perhaps it would mean she’d have enough to pursue that degree one day. The degree her mother had told her was a waste of time and money in the years after her father’s death. Told her she should be pursuing modeling instead.
And look how well that turned out, Mum.
No, this time she was going to do what she wanted. And if Luke could help her achieve that, then why not? However, a month’s trial run seemed like a good idea. That gave her an out. Which she’d probably need because, let’s face it, her and Luke living together? Not exactly a recipe for harmony, was it?
“I suppose it is weird,” Marisa allowed. “But hey, if it’s going to help me repay my debts then I’m all for it.”
“How are you going to cope? He’s kind of…” Christie paused, frowning.
“Uptight?” Marisa supplied.
“I was trying to think of something not quite so mean, but yes.”
“He is a little.” Kind of an understatement. He was a lot. With his predilection for rules and neatness. The constant smoothing of his clothes. And yet there were times when uptight was the last thing he was… “But I’ll manage.”
Christie narrowed her eyes. “You like him, don’t you?”
The observation took Marisa by surprise. “Uh…what makes you say that?”