No Strings Attached

Christy glanced toward Clara's stomach and lowered her voice with a conspiratorial wink. "You're dressed down today, more than usual. Is there, by any chance, a little bun in the oven?"

Clara's eyes brimmed with unshed tears, a tender smile tugging at her lips as she gave a subtle nod.

Christy's jaw dropped in excitement. "For real? Does Mr. Hayes know yet?"

"I haven't told him."

"Is it that you haven't told him, or you don't want to tell him? Are you taking the split seriously? You don't know this, but Roger didn't come home the night you and lan broke up. He said lan got totally plastered. He's never seen lan take it so hard."

Clara felt a sting in her heart at those words. How could she not know how much lan was hurting?

Every night after work, he'd be lingering outside her place. Sometimes, he'd get in the house, chat with her dad, and check on her. Other times, when he was too late for visits, he'd just stand at her door, smoking alone.

so many times to dash outside and throw herself into his arms, to tell him, "Ian, let's make up, please." But then she'd think of the baby

down. "I can't risk it anymore. I need to protect

prenatal stuff from back in

and sent it to lan. [Your ex-fiancée's at my place. Want me to stage a 'casual' run-in?] lan, fresh out of a

smugness. [Heard you nabbed a fine bottle of wine at the auction. I want a

gritted his teeth. [Taking advantage now,

a leg up in front

[Be there soon.]

Clara carried Della and descended the stairs to play. As she stepped

doll and with a softer smile than usual, approached them. "Got this for you, Della. Mind

and more fascinated by lan's face, gazing up at him

"Della's wondering why her godfather's so stingy. Her godmother showers her with jewels and clothes, and you think a rag