Beneath Her Bastard Boss

Chapter 133

Sutton had been wide awake since 5:17 a.m., and not from baby kicks this time.

She just couldn’t sleep. Her thoughts had been spinning. So she had laid there until it was time to get up, thinking about Luca and the baby. His offer of marriage and the job offer. When the light spread across the room and climbed halfway up door, she got out of bed for work… it was Friday at least.

She took a shower and got dressed, calling the car service as she finished off breakfast.

In the car on the way to the office, she messaged Jake:

Sutton: Do you feel like lunch today?

Jake: Sure… Everything ok?

Sutton: Yes, I just need to talk to someone I trust who isn’t family.

Jake: Okay, I’m glad you feel you can come to me.

the

By noon, they were seated at a little spot a few blocks from the office, an old–style café. It was great because it wasn’t too noisy. Sutton had eaten here before; the food was good, and they had the best sourdough. It was also within walking distance of the office.

Jake ordered a Cubano and a side of fries because he believed in carbs and fat. Sutton got a BLT on their sourdough and an iced tea.

“So,” Jake said, nudging her knee under the table. “You want to talk because I’m not family. You are looking a little worried, and you are starting to stress me. So out with it and talk.”

She gave him a tired half–smile. “Is that your way of saying I look like I’ve been hitting the panic button?”

“Lightly pressing it. Repeatedly. I’m here for you,

babe.”

Sutton looked down at the straw in her iced tea, then at Jake. He was someone she felt comfortable enough with to share this information. The one person who wasn’t related to her or trying to co–parent with her. The one friend who wouldn’t try to save her, just stand next to her. Jake had tried to stand in her corner while Nicole had been a bitch.

So she told him.

All of it.

been together, how they had met, the fallout, the heartbreak. About her being Audrey, the carefully constructed persona she buried. He had to Google her. Then about discovering she was pregnant. About Luca telling her about his engagement and the things he had said. Her waiting a week before leaving Europe.

him about what had happened to her parents and the fact

told him about Luca’s

fact that it could come out about her past with Luca and everyone would think she got the job on her back.

Jake didn’t interrupt once.

her talk until her sandwich was cold.

he wiped his mouth and said, “Wow, I mean

Sutton blinked. “You know?”

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Chapter 133

his body language since he had been at Cyber10. Before that, for months he barely spoke. He just buried himself in work; he has been like a bear with a sore head the last few months. It was horrible to be

head. “Why didn’t you say

but it’s obvious. He looks at you when you’re not watching, and the

ridiculous. The air doesn’t

“Yes, it does, but the blood is properly rushing in your ears and you

blushed. Because having him near did make her blood rush

a run for his money. I think that was Nicole’s problem. It wasn’t just your looks; there

figured out she was in love

in love with him; she was in love with the life he could give her. The bonus was that he was the right age and good–looking as well. Nicole is a shark.

Luca about her. I keep

that plot is much more exciting,” Jake

think that right now I would

it?” he said, slouching back. “You’re afraid he wants the baby more than he wants you. But what if

She didn’t answer that.

her own right. He’s a man who has had blinkers on. But you have feelings for each

swallowed, rubbing her thumb over the condensation on her glass. “I want to

eyebrows. “So do it. Cyber10 will be lucky

I got it because of us, like