17. Gabriella

17

GAbrIELLA

A m I getting what I want, though? Am I really and truly? No, I’m not. Because what I really want is for Enzo Rossi to take me in his arms and tell me he loves me. I want to tell him about the baby—our baby—and have him say how he’s excited. How he wants to spend his life with me. With us.

But the words are stuck in my throat like glue. I’m still not entirely sure why Enzo backed out and I sure as hell don’t appreciate Doug Holloway wasting my precious time. Or lying to me. I can still remember our conversation clear as day about how much he missed his dead wife every single moment. How it was so hard for him to move on.

Liar.

I hate the idea of winning by default. It makes the competitor in me cringe. But, whatever. I’ll take Holloway Corp. and turn it into the best, money-making machine I can. And then I’m going to change the damn name. Screw Doug Holloway.

Glancing down at my slim watch, I realize I need to leave or I’m going to be late to my doctor’s appointment. They managed to squeeze me in after having a cancellation and I grabbed it. Because even though I took three pregnancy tests like a total neurotic and slightly crazy person, I need official confirmation. Plus, I need to know what is next. What should I be doing, eating, drinking? Can I work out? Is there any activity I should avoid? I definitely need prenatal vitamins and…

I meet Enzo’s dark gaze and I know I need to tell him, but not yet. Not until it’s confirmed.

“I have to go,” I say and grab my handbag.

“Go where?” he asks, frowning. “You’re supposed to be resting.”

“I’m feeling better and I have an appointment. It won’t take long, anyway. Not that it’s any concern of yours.”

“Bri, you really should go lay down and?—”

“Enzo, please. I’m fine.” The fierce scowl that spreads across his chiseled face makes me smile. Unable to stop myself, I reach out and cup his smooth cheek. I love how he’s so protective over me. “I promise to take a nap as soon as I get back, okay?”

“I’m coming back at 5:30 armed with soup and crackers. You better be here so I can take care of you til you feel smothered.”

His mouth edges up and I run my thumb over his lower lip. He instantly responds, tongue flicking out and licking my skin. It immediately sends an electric jolt through me. When did he become so sweet? Well, hopefully after I tell him about the baby tonight, he won’t go running for the hills. Although, I feel fairly confident that he won’t. Enzo enjoys a good challenge and figuring out how to make things work and succeed in doing it. Having a baby with me would be his biggest, most ultimate challenge yet.

“I have to go,” I whisper. He nods and we walk out together. After saying goodbye, I head straight to my doctor’s office and my nerves start going crazy. Having a baby will change my entire life. Am I ready for that? Is anyone ever really ready for a baby, though? Probably not.

Less than an hour later, I walk back out, armed with all of the basic knowledge I need about being six and a half weeks pregnant. I can’t believe I’m going to be a mother. Tracing the timeline back, I know that I conceived during our “one-night stand,” and I use that phrase loosely. We used protection, so I’m a bit baffled. Of course, they always say nothing is one-hundred percent effective. Case in point, right?

Once I’m back in my car, I sit there for a long moment, just breathing and trying to figure out what I’m going to do now that everything is changing. First, of course, I’ll tell Enzo when he comes back over tonight. I have no idea how he’s going to react and, the more I think about it, the more uneasy I get. Suddenly, I’m feeling slightly numb and unsure. What if he wants nothing to do with us? Because that’s what this is from now on—not just me, us .

I’m strong, smart and resourceful. If it comes down to me having to figure out how to be a single mom and juggle a baby and a successful career then I’ll do it. Luckily, I’m in a position where I can work from home most of the time so that’s a huge plus. I can also afford a nanny or daycare if I need to. My mom will be thrilled to become a grandma and she will probably offer to babysit more often than not.

You’re not alone, I tell myself. If Enzo says he isn’t ready and walks away, you can do this.

I can’t help but be nervous, though. Even so, this is too important to keep secret or wait to tell him. Just as I’m pulling into the garage, I get a text and glance down to see it’s Lili. Making a face, I turn the car off and remember I still have a bone to pick with her. She had to have been the one who spilled the beans to Romeo about me and Enzo hooking up.

I open the text and read: hey, i’m at your place. where are you?

On my way up, I text back. I spot Lili standing outside of my apartment door and we hug before I open it up. Before I can even say a word, she’s all apologies.

“I’m so damn sorry, Gabs. Me and my big mouth!” She gives me big, sad eyes and I can’t be mad at her. It’s my fault because I know how she can’t keep a secret yet I confided in her, anyway.

“C’mon in,” I invite her. “I know you can’t control yourself sometimes.”

Lili laughs nervously. “I really can’t. I open my mouth and stuff just comes out. It’s like water pouring out of a faucet and I try to shut it off, but?—”

“Honestly, Lili, it’s my own fault. But, it’s your fault for dating Romeo. He’s such a douche.”

“I know. I’m so mad at him right now for what he did. I should’ve broken up with him, but then things got good again. If you know what I mean.”

“Ugh, please, stop. I don’t want to hear all the gory details.” Lili is always attracted to the wrong men and Romeo is just another bad apple to add to the list of jerks she’s dated. I probably shouldn’t have warned her because the moment I did, her interest skyrocketed. I guess bad boys are her catnip.

Me, on the other hand? I’m looking for more. I don’t want game players and jerks; I want sweet and attentive. Now that I’m carrying Enzo’s baby, my hope is he and I can work things out. Even if he doesn’t want a future with me, I hope he wants to be in the baby’s life.

Oh, who am I kidding? I want Enzo in my life so badly and if he walks away, I’m going to be crushed. More specifically, my heart will be. Whether he knows it or not, he’s holding it in the palm of his hand. I hope he handles it with care.

I start walking to the kitchen. “Want anything to drink?” I ask.

“Sure. A water is fine. I’m gonna go use your bathroom quick.”

I grab two ice-cold bottles of water from the fridge and go sit back down on the couch. I wish I could confide in Lili about the baby and ask for her advice. But after she told Romeo that Enzo and I slept together, I know better than to confide in her. Still though, she is my closest friend, despite having a mouth bigger than Texas.

When Lili walks back into the room, her eyes are wide as saucers.

“What’s wrong?” I ask.

“Um, Gabs, can I ask why you have three pregnancy tests in your trash? Is there something I should know, as your best friend?”

Oh, shit, shit, shit. I bite my lower lip and squeeze my eyes shut. Whelp, guess I’ll be confiding in Lili after all.

“Lili,” I say, trying to remain calm and to collect my thoughts, “I need you to keep this quiet, okay?”

“Ohmygod! Are you—” Her words trail off.

Hoping I don’t regret this, but knowing it’s already too late to deny, I nod slowly. “I’m pregnant…and it’s Enzo’s baby.”

Lili starts pacing back and forth, gesturing wildly with her hands as she talks. “I can’t believe this! How in the world did this happen? I mean, I know how it happened, but how could you let it happen? What did Enzo say? Does he even know yet? What’re you going to do? Are you even keeping the baby?”

I throw up a hand, suddenly feeling completely overwhelmed. “Please, stop moving. You’re making me dizzy. And, for the love of God, one question at a time.”

“Sorry.” She drops down beside me on the couch and takes my hands in hers. Despite being a gossip, Lili is a good friend when it comes to offering advice and a shoulder to cry on. “First, how are you? How’re you feeling about this whole thing?”

Out of nowhere, I feel tears burn the backs of my eyelids. “Hanging in there,” I say. “A lot unsure, very scared and now I guess way more emotional than usual.”

A tear slips down my cheek and I pull a hand away from Lili’s and wipe my cheek.

“Oh, Gabs, you’re going to be just fine. You’re the strongest, smartest person I know.”

“Thanks,” I murmur dryly. “I don’t feel very smart. I mean, what smart woman gets pregnant after a one-night stand? But, the thing that’s so crazy is we used protection. That’s why this whole thing caught me off-guard.”

Lili shrugs a shoulder. “It happens. Nothing is one-hundred percent.”

“And to answer your questions—yes, I’m keeping the baby and I just got confirmation from the doctor. That’s where I was coming from when you texted. So, you’re the first to know, Aunt Lili.”

“Oh, my gosh, I’m going to be an aunt!” She squeals and pulls me into a big hug. I can’t help but laugh and it feels good to tell her. Even if she does spill the beans, everyone is going to find out soon enough, anyway. It’s not like I can keep this a secret for very long.

We pull apart and her grin fades.

“What?” I ask.

“The Bianche family is going to lose their minds when they find out you’re carrying Enzo Rossi’s baby. Relations are so strained between your families after what happened with Miceli and Rocco.”

“I know, but they’re going to have to accept it. And, honestly, I sided with Miceli. Rocco kidnapped Alessia. He brought all that onto himself. He’s responsible for his own demise, not Miceli.”

“Try telling Romeo and Tommaso that,” she says darkly. “They blame Miceli.”

“Of course, they do. They thought the sun shone out of Rocco’s ass. They were his minions and now that he’s gone, they’re lost.”

“They want revenge, you know,” she tells me.

“Revenge on Miceli?”

“Revenge on the entire Rossi family.”

“Well, they better not lift a finger against Enzo or any of his brothers. Or, his sister. I will get them kicked out of the Five Families Alliance so fast, their heads will spin.”

“They think they’re untouchable,” she informs me.

“I know and that’s half the problem. But, they aren’t. The other families will listen to me and the Rossi’s. If my cousins are stupid enough to go after Enzo again, I’ll make sure they pay for it.”

“I hate that that happened. I feel awful. Was Enzo hurt too badly?”

“Angelo, his younger brother, showed up at the exact right moment and helped him. But, it wasn’t a fair fight, Lili. Two against one? I don’t know who they think they are, but they need to stop.”

“Can I ask you something?” Lili eyes me closely. “How do you feel about Enzo?”

What a loaded question. I feel so many things. But, what I feel most can’t be denied any longer. I’m no longer just falling for Enzo Rossi. I think I passed that point the moment he insisted I leave work early and drove me home. He took care of me when he thought I was sick and was genuinely concerned. That’s when I knew.

“I’m in love with him,” I whisper. Lili’s eyes get even bigger even though I’m not sure how that’s possible. “Which means I love our baby and I will do anything to protect them both.”