Guarding Me by Megan Slayer

wasn’t ready to bring up Richard or some of the other parts of her past. “The job at the bridal shop is between me and one other girl. I’m scared, but I know I can do what they expect of me. This is the chance I need.”
    “Marty won’t like you leaving. He keeps telling me you’re the main reason the customers come back time after time.”
    “He’ll have to deal, won’t he?” She gripped his hand tighter. “This is my dream and yes, I’m confident it will work. I’ll make it work.”
    When he opened his mouth to respond, she placed her fingers over his lips. “You’re a good knight in shining armor and sexy, too, but I don’t expect you to pick up the slack. I got myself into this, and I’ll get myself sorted out. You’re going to change diapers, though.”
    “I can do that.”
    * * * *
    Twenty-four hours later, Maya bobbed her foot and stared at the empty chair behind the desk. Colette, the owner of the bridal boutique, had stepped out to take a call. The hushed voices in the hallway didn’t sound like anyone talking on the phone. Maya strained to hear who all was on the other side of the door. She placed her hands on her belly and scratched, more for something to do to keep her nerves at bay than anything. She noticed the flutters more—like the peanut was figuring out an acrobatic exercise in her womb.
    Behind her the door opened. Colette and another one of the workers, Genevieve, walked into the room. Both women sat on the desk and grinned.
    “Well.” Colette clasped her hands together. “We’ve talked it over, and the team and I think you’re the right person to join us. Our only concern is the baby. We’re thrilled you’re pregnant and can’t wait for the little one to come along—we all love babies—but as a collective, we want assurance you’re willing to come back.” Colette tipped her head. “No sense in hiring and training someone who’ll only be around for a few months, then leave.”
    Maya straightened in her chair. Things with Levi were great, but reality had bitten her in the butt too many times. “I’ll need maternity leave, for sure, but this is the break I’ve been waiting for.”
    Colette clapped her hands, and Genevieve grinned. “Welcome to Satin and Lace Bridal,” Colette said. She opened her arms and hugged Maya. “Your design ideas to pair with the new dresses are wonderful. We love your spirit and your drive. You’re going to fit in here well.”
    Maya sat through an hour of procedures, rules and practice fittings. She filled out the paperwork, including the necessary insurance documents. Her head ached and her belly growled. The baby didn’t want to wait for supper. At seven p.m., she left Satin and Lace and headed home. Her phone beeped with an incoming text. She didn’t bother to look at the phone until she pulled over in the pharmacy lot.
    Levi’s name popped up on the screen.
    Meet me at my apartment. Peaches is here with me. Got a surprise for you.
    “Okay, kiddo. A little longer and I’ll get some food.” She scratched her belly. The bump had grown enough for people to assume she was with child, but not enough to be cumbersome. She pressed the buttons to send a return message. “He’d better have put my dog out at least once before he put her in a car or he’ll have a mess I won’t clean up,” she murmured to herself.
    There had better be a massage in my future. My feet are killing me.
    At the last minute, she added two more characters to the text.
    <3
    Before she could change her mind and delete the heart, she pressed send. She shoved her phone back into her purse, then headed to Levi’s apartment. He had her thinking thoughts she’d long since buried. Crazy, dangerous forever kinds of thoughts. She’d tried to keep her heart safely tucked behind protective walls, but he seemed to know how to melt her defenses. She gripped the wheel tighter. The other shoe would drop. Something would happen, and she’d have to brace herself for the