The Proposition(89)

“No, I’m so sorry. I had my ultrasound this afternoon, and it got delayed.”

“And what are we having?” Sandy asked.

“A boy.”

“Oh that’s wonderful!” She opened the door and clipped on Beau’s leash. “Did you hear that? You’re going to be a big brother.”

Beau ignored her and headed straight for Emma. He nudged her belly with his wet nose as if saying hello to the baby. Sandy’s eyes widened. “That is so sweet!”

Emma laughed. “He’s just started doing that in the last few days. Ironically, after I felt the baby move for the first time.” Emma shook her head. “It’s like he’s finally sensing something is different, and it’s not just fat inside this belly!”

Sandy chuckled. “He probably didn’t notice anything because you’re barely showing!”

“Aw, I appreciate that. I feel like I’m ballooning up.”

Beau jerked on his leash. “All right, boy, we’ll go home and see Daddy.” His ears perked up at the mention of Aidan. “Night, Sandy.”

“Night!” she replied, waving.

Emma wrestled Beau to the car and got him inside. “There’s no way I’m taking you to Daddy’s office. I guess I better drop you off at home before I go see him.”

Beau whined at the prospect as they pulled out of the parking lot. Since Aidan’s house was closer, she figured she would take him there.

At the sight of Aidan’s car in the driveway, Emma’s heart shuddered to a stop. The fact a silver Audi sat next to it caused her lungs to constrict. She fought to breathe. Thoughts flashed through her mind like a lightning storm. He said his meeting was running late. He’s supposed to still be at work. He’s at home.

With shaky hands, she killed the engine and opened the car door. Beau lunged out, but Emma didn’t even bother holding his leash. Instead she focused on trying to put one foot in front of the other up the sidewalk.

Using the key he’d given her, she pushed open the front door. The living room was bathed in darkness except for the muted lights from the chandelier. Aidan lounged on the couch while a leggy brunette straddled his lap. He was still fully clothed except his shirt was unbuttoned and untucked. The woman, on the other hand, had stripped off her shirt, and her short skirt had ridden up her thighs. Aidan’s hands were on her forearms as if he was about to push her off of him.

For a few agonizing seconds, Emma could only stare in disbelief. Blinking, she tried waking herself up from the nightmare in front of her, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t. It was all too real. The man she loved and the father of her child had stood her up on one of the most important days of her life to screw another woman. A strangled cry erupted from her lips.

At the noise behind them, Aidan startled. When he saw Emma standing there, his eyes widened in horror, and he sucked in a breath. “What are you doing here?” he demanded.

Tears pricked and stung her eyes, but Emma gave a maniacal laugh. “What am I doing here? I think the better question is what the hell are you doing?”

The sound of another voice caused the brunette to whirl around. Her gaze trailed from Emma’s face down to her swollen belly. A hiss erupted from her lips before she shook her head. “I don’t fucking believe this.” She turned her head and then her wrath on Aidan. “No wonder you couldn’t get it up! The guilt of cheating on your pregnant wife must’ve really been eating at you!”

“She’s not my wife…yet,” Aidan replied, his voice hushed.

The brunette sent a stinging slap across Aidan’s cheek, and Emma had to bite her lip not to thank her for doing it. At that moment, she would have loved to have done far worse physical harm to him. “I don’t care what she is! You’re a fucking bastard!” She jerked herself off Aidan’s lap and snatched up her shirt. After throwing it over her head, she grabbed her heels and stalked towards Emma. The fury in her face melted a little. “I’m really sorry. I heard at work he was a player, and I wanted a play. I had no idea…” her voice trailed off as she glanced at Emma’s stomach.

“Thank you,” Emma whispered as the woman started on by. She jumped at the slamming of the front door. On wobbly legs, she took a few step forwards, closing the gap between her and Aidan. He rose up on the couch, fumbling with the buttons on his shirt.

When she stood there, just staring, he exhaled a ragged breath. “Say something.”

Emma raised her eyebrows at him. “And what would you like me to say?”

“I don’t know…just anything to keep you from looking at me like that.”