A flash of surprise crossed his face. Guess he wasn't expecting me to go along with it so easily.
"I'll probably be busy the next few days. Don't overthink it."
"I know."
I nodded like the perfect wife, while laughing inside.
Busy taking your side chick to doctor appointments?
After Nolan left, I drove straight to Horizon Tech.
As a business partner, I had every right to show up.
The receptionist at the front desk was young.
Kelsey.
She looked even younger and prettier in person. Long hair. Clear eyes. An innocent face.
You'd never guess she was sleeping with a married man.
"Hi, who are you here to see?" she asked sweetly.
"I'm here for Nolan Thomson."
I looked her over.
She had on a loose business suit, but I still caught it.
The slight curve of her stomach.
She was already showing.
"Mr. Thomson is in a meeting. Can I get your name?"
"Johanna Jourdain."
Her face changed instantly.
She knew exactly who I was.
Nolan's wife.
"Ms. Jourdain! One second. I'll let Mr. Thomson know right away."
She grabbed the phone so fast she almost fumbled it.
I heard her lower her voice.
"Mr. Thomson... your wife's here."
A minute later, Nolan rushed out with a tight smile. "Babe, what are you doing here?"
His eyes flicked to Kelsey.
"I wanted to see your office. Maybe grab lunch with you." I slipped my arm through his.
"Sure. Let's eat at the restaurant upstairs."
Way too quick.
He was already trying to get me out of there.
In the elevator, I asked casually, "That receptionist is pretty cute. How old is she?"
"Not sure. She's a new intern."
Too fast.
"I don't really pay attention."
"Oh."
I nodded, already filing that under bullshit.
During lunch, I asked if he'd been stressed lately, if he wasn't feeling well.
I kept putting food on his plate.
He looked touched. "You care about me the most. I'm so lucky to have you."
I almost lost my appetite listening to him.
"By the way," I said like I just remembered, "a friend told me about this new neighborhood. Should we start looking at houses too?"
His fork froze.
"Looking at houses? Isn't our place fine?"
"It's kind of small. If we have kids someday, we might need more space."
His face shifted.
"No rush on kids. Things are tight right now."
Tight?
Funny. Money didn't seem tight when he bought his side chick a house.
"You're right. We can wait."
I smiled and played along.
But now I saw him for exactly who he was.
That afternoon, I used the bathroom as an excuse and walked past the front desk on purpose.
Kelsey was chatting with a coworker.
"The doctor said the baby's healthy. Due date's at the end of the year."
"Kelsey, you're seriously so lucky. Your boyfriend spoils you. He bought you a house and treats you like a princess."
"Yeah. He said he'll marry me after the baby's born."
She looked like she was glowing.
Marry her?
I almost laughed.
He hadn't even divorced me yet.
Kelsey looked up and saw me.
The color drained from her face.
"M-Ms. Jourdain."
I walked over and smiled sweetly.
"You're Kelsey, right? You're pregnant? Congrats."
