“Mmhmm.”
She was quiet for so long that I wondered if she’d fallen asleep. I was almost there myself when she said softly, “The girls paid for the shopping spree.”
My eyes popped open. “Who are ‘the girls’?”
“The Comets WAGs and friends.”
I huffed out a laugh. “Guess Braxton was right.”
Bristol turned in my arms. Her eyes searched mine in confusion. “About what?”
“He said something about not wanting to go to war against Hannah and her crew. That it was a losing battle.”
A sleepy sigh fell from her lips, and she snuggled her head into my chest. “Yeah, they’re kinda awesome like that.”
“I’m glad you have people you can count on.” I stroked her hair as her breathing leveled out.
Once I was sure she was fast asleep, I added, “But I’m here now to take care of you. And I’m not going anywhere.”
Chapter 23
Bristol
I paused on thesidewalk, staring up at the office building in downtown Indianapolis that housed the Indy Sports Review.
Being a smaller publication, only covering sports, they required little office space with most correspondents in the field, traveling with their assigned teams. As a result, the Indy Sports Review offices only took up half of one floor for editorial and marketing staff.
Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath through my nose, letting it out from my mouth. I could do this. I was a big girl. I was doing the professional thing, disclosing a relationship that could be seen as a conflict of interest to my superiors and willing to deal with the consequences. That had to count for something, right?
As I pushed through the revolving glass doors, my heels clicked on the polished floor in time with my heartbeat. It likely wouldn’t settle until after my meeting with my editor, and maybe not even then—the outcome was still uncertain.
Thankfully, the elevator was empty, and I leaned against the back wall, pressing a hand against my queasy belly.
Was I really doing this again? Risking it all for a man? Had I learned nothing?
Maddox is different. You know he is.
I clung to that thought as the ding signaled my destination. Stepping out, I turned to the right and pushed through the glass door to an office full of gray cubicles. One side of the space had offices with doors, and a conference room was visible on the other.
I hadn’t been here since my interview. There hadn’t been much need as I submitted my articles electronically each day. I was grateful that I had the opportunity to be in the field; this place was kinda depressing.
“Miss Cooper!” my editor, Barry, shouted from where he stood in the open doorway to his office near the back.
Tipping my chin in recognition, I walked to where he waited, offering, “Bristol is fine.”
He gave me a tight smile. “We’ll leave it at Miss Cooper for now, shall we? Can never be too careful when a female subordinate is involved.”
I cringed, well aware that sexual harassment was prevalent in a male-dominated field such as sports reporting. With a greeting like that, this meeting should be fun.
Barry gestured for me to precede him into the office but left the door open when following me inside.
Jeez, he’s being really careful. Does he have a personal history of taking advantage of women?
My skin crawled at the thought. Shaking off the bad vibes, I sat in the seat opposite his desk, placing my purse across my lap.
Leaning back in his desk chair, Barry asked bluntly, “Are you pregnant?”
Pretty sure my jaw hit the floor, but I managed to shake my head. “No.”
