One night stand with my daddy's best friend
98

Bridget

She's already planning your wedding. You and Anne make a very handsome couple.

I froze with my finger over the Start button of the copy machine. Did I hear that right? I tilted my head as if that would make it easier to hear what Bran and Dane were talking about. But they were past the copy room and I couldn't hear them. She's already planning your wedding. You and Anne make a very handsome couple.

Bran had said that to Dane. He had to be referring to Anne Francis. Hadn't I seen them together at the charity event? The charity event that Dane so unceremoniously dragged me out of and then fucked me in his car?

All the breath whooshed from my lungs. I staggered back and sat in the chair as I realized what an idiot I'd been. Here I thought I was all grown up, but my naivety led me to fall for a man who used me. He was fucking me while all the while he was dating and getting engaged to Anne Francis.

I was going to be sick and this time it wasn't from the pregnancy. I felt sick at all the things I'd done with Dane. Sure, it had been an affair, but I'd fallen for him. I believed he was sweet and kind.

He was nothing of the sort. If my father knew, he'd kick Dane's ass and end the friendship. A small part of me wanted to do just that. Anger and pain swirled in a potent mixture. If he walked into the copy room, I might kick his ass myself.

I rubbed my hand over my belly. Now what was I going to do? I couldn't

stick around and watch him marry someone else, especially while his child was growing inside me. As my belly got bigger, would he put two and two together and realize it was his? He'd have a wife and pregnant former mistress. And now that Lane knew, it wasn't like I could keep the father a secret.

There was only one thing I could do. I had to leave.

I rose on unsteady legs, grabbed my papers out of the copy machine, and returned to my office. I picked up the phone and called my former internship supervisor.

"I heard through the grapevine that you got a job at MacLeod Capital Investment. Way to go, Bridget," he said to me.

I swallowed the lump in my throat. How was I going to explain that after a short time, I wanted out of such a great job?

"Thanks. I was surprised to get hired." "And how's it going?"

"That's why I'm calling. The job is fine, but I can't stand being in Los Angeles. I liked it so much better in Northern California," I lied.

"You're not thinking of quitting a great job because it's too sunny and smoggy down there, are you?"

I could tell he was going to be disappointed when I said yes, and I hoped he had a job for me.

"You know...if you are, I heard through another grapevine that Closter Media is looking for a digital marketing person. I don't know that it's as prestigious as what you have there" "Who do I call?"

"Ah...okay. I guess you do want out. You know Bridget, the reality of work life is harder than school and internships. Maybe you need to stick it out."

"It's not the job." I lied again.

"Right. Okay then." He gave me the contact information and said he'd put in a good word for me.

It didn't seem right to try and get another job while sitting in my current one, but I couldn't do it at home. I called the contact and left a message telling her that I'd been referred by my internship supervisor and that I'd be sending a resume. If she was interested, I could interview at any time.

I pulled up the word processing software on my computer to write a resignation letter, but I couldn't find the words. I'd send it later.

I waited until I was sure nearly everyone, or at least Ethan, Dane, and Lane were gone, and then I left with my purse stuffed with my personal items. My desk was cleared off ready for the next marketing specialist.

When I got home, I stowed away in my room, not in the mood to deal with my dad and Lizzie or the kids.

I wasn't there long before Lizzie knocked on my door. It was too much to ask to be alone.

She poked her head in. "Are you okay? You look a little pale."

"Tough day at the job." I needed an excuse not to go to work tomorrow. "I think I might be coming down with something. I'll quarantine myself up here, so the kids don't get it."

She laughed. "You probably got it from them. Can I bring you something? Chicken soup?"

I started to shake my head but remembered the baby. I needed to eat for the baby's health. "You don't have to. I can come down later-"

"Nonsense. You rest. I'll bring it up along with some ginger soda." "Thank you, Lizzie."

She tilted her head and studied me. "Are you sure you're okay?" I nodded. "Yep. Just tired."

"I'll be back with the soup."

Soup might be a remedy for the common cold or flu, but it did nothing to fix a broken heart or the feeling of being betrayed and alone.

God, I wished I could talk to my dad or Lizzie. I didn't even have Lane to talk to anymore because she wouldn't agree with what I was doing. She thought Dane was a good guy, but he was the clichéd businessman, fucking his staff and going home to a dutiful soon-to-be wife. How could I have been so stupid to think he was as wrapped up in me as I had been in him?

Knowing I couldn't rely on one job application to get me out of town quickly, I spent the rest of the evening researching job opportunities in Northern California. I even did a few searches in New York. I had no illusions that my mother would take me full-time like my dad did which meant I'd have to find a place to live there. While Northern California was expensive, New York was even more so.

I updated my LinkedIn page and submitted five resumes. Then, too exhausted to keep my eyes open, I went to bed.

The next morning, I told my dad and Lizzie I wasn't feeling well and would stay home. Lizzie offered to stay with me. She was primarily an at home mom, but she taught children's art classes a few times a week. I told her I'd be fine. Once everyone was out of the house for the day, I called in sick at work and then made an appointment at a local women's clinic to make sure I was really pregnant and find out my next steps.

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I felt guilty that I couldn't share this news with my dad and Lizzie. It was wrong not to. Just as I suppose it was wrong not to tell Dane.

But what use would it be? A baby would complicate his marriage for sure.

My appointment was at one, so I spent the morning searching for and applying to more jobs. After lunch, I headed to the clinic where I learned, surprise, surprise, I was pregnant. The doctor picked up that the news was still a shock probably when I told her I was on the pill. She reiterated what Lane had said. In real life, the effectiveness is less. In life, there wasn't as much control as in clinical studies.

She started to tell me my options, but I knew already that I was going to keep the baby. It would be a challenge, but I welcomed it.

I called in sick the next day and the day after, wondering how long I could pull this off without looking suspicious. The flu usually only lasted a few days. I was determined not to return to work at MacLeod Capital Investments but didn't want to quit until I had another job lined up.

On Friday, I decided that I couldn't put it off any longer. I had a few responses to my resumes, so it was time to pull the plug on MacLeod Capital Investment and make arrangements to go north. Then I'd have to tell my dad and Lizzie, which was the one task I looked forward to the least.

I wrote a letter of resignation and sent it off to HR and Ethan. Then because she'd been such a good friend, I emailed Lane as well. Because I knew what she thought of Dane, I mentioned his upcoming nuptials to Anne Francis. I hoped that would make her understand what I was doing, and she'd keep my secret. I suppose I'd find out.

That evening after the kids were in bed, I asked to talk with my dad and Lizzie.

"I've decided to move up north again."

My dad frowned. Lizzie's eyes widened in surprise. "Why?" he asked.

I swallowed the lump in my throat. I didn't want to lie but I didn't have a choice. "I miss my life up there. I love being with you guys, but I need to live my own life."

"Can you find a new place down here?" Lizzie asked gently. I appreciated how she always tried to understand before getting upset.

I shrugged. "I have friends and contacts up there."

"You have contacts here. Contacts you didn't want to use." I hated how hurt my dad sounded.

"But you did." I pointed out.

"Is there a problem with Dane?" he asked. God. Where would I start? "No. I just "

"It's not good to leave a job only a few weeks after starting. You're leaving Dane and those who work with you in the lurch." Now he was back to lecturing. "I'm sorry about that, but I need to do this."

Lizzie studied me and her scrutiny made me want to squirm.

"Are you sure you're okay?" she asked. "Is there something going on we don't know about?"

As you reach the final pages, remember that 000005s.com is your destination for the complete story. Share the joy of reading with others and spread the word. The next chapter is just a visit away! "Like what?" my dad asked her.

"I don't know. She just hasn't been herself all week."

"I've been sick. It's given me time to reflect on my life and I decided I needed this change. I'm sorry. I love you both, but I have to do this." I stood up, knowing we'd just go around and around if I stayed. "How soon do you leave?" Lizzie asked.

"I have interviews next week in and around San Francisco." "Where will you live?" my dad asked. "It's expensive up there."

"I'm in touch with friends. There is a studio apartment for rent that is reasonable. I'll be looking at it when I get there." I didn't tell him that I'd asked my mom for some funds. She was always happy to pass a few bucks my way. It alleviated her guilt about not being around much once I came to live with my dad.

Lizzie rose and gave me a hug. "We'll all miss you, Jet. It's been so wonderful having you home. But I understand that you need to go. You know I did the same thing once. Packed up and moved and my life was better for it." "You didn't have a loving family at home," my father growled. "You found that here. Jet has family here."

Lizzie took his hand. "Bridget is a grown woman, Troy. She came home for us, I'm sure, but it's not the life she wants to live. We can't hold her back."

My father huffed out a breath. "I just want you close. Is that such a bad thing?"

I wiped tears that started to fall. "No. It's a wonderful thing. It's not like I'm going to Mars. I can come visit and you can come up to see me. I bet the kids would love to see the Golden Gate Bridge and go to the Exploratorium." "We'll make plans to do that, won't we Troy?"

"Yes." He grumbled. "Come here, kid." He gave me a hug.

"You know, with me gone, you can fill the room with a new Manion," I said.

He arched a brow and looked at Lizzie. She pursed her lips. "We'll talk about it."

As I headed back up to my room, I realized that if my dad and Lizzie had another baby, it would be around the same ages as mine. Their baby would be the aunt or uncle to my baby, but they'd be peers. Weird.

The next day was Friday and I sat on pins and needles wondering if anyone from work would call. If Dane would call. It wouldn't matter, I had decided. I had to do this.

I started packing up to head north. While I was at it, I took down the fairy lights and posters. I wanted my dad and Lizzie to have this room whether for a new baby or something else.

By the end of the day, the only thing representative of me in the room was the pink walls. Yes, the furniture was the same, but there was no décor. Nothing that said this is Jet's room. It was bittersweet. I had many great memories in this room. In this house. But if I was truly going to be in charge of my life, I need to move on. I needed to leave and not look back.