Pulled by Amy Lichtenhan

and now I had to pay.
    Maybe if this caused me enough grief, it would embed itself in my mind, ensuring I would never make that mistake again. Just the thought of talking to her made me ready to swear off women for the next century. It was just not worth it.
    “Good morning, Lisa,” I said as I entered the lobby.
    “Good morning, Dr. Montgomery.” She looked up from her computer with a warm smile.
    I spent the morning finishing the last of the paperwork that had to be turned into the bank while I tried desperately not to think of the meeting with Vanessa. I could only imagine the ways she would try to manipulate me, and al kinds of scenarios started to play out in my head as the clock neared noon.
    I tried to concentrate on the sound of my breathing as I finished the last form and faxed it over to the lender.
    Quarter to twelve—judgment time.
    I took a steeling breath before I grabbed my coat and briefcase.
    “Hey, Lisa, I’m leaving for my lunch meeting. I’l be back in a couple of hours. You can cal my cel if you need me.”
    “Sure, Dr. Montgomery.”
    The drive to Tavalindo’s was short, and I had a couple of minutes to sit in my car and gather my wits. This was going to be unpleasant no matter what, so I just needed to get it over with.
    I got out of the car, walked across the parking lot, and entered the restaurant foyer. I’d eaten here a couple of times, and it was good food, but there was no way I would be able to eat with my stomach twisted in knots.
    “Such a pussy, Daniel,” I muttered under my breath. This was ridiculous. She was just a girl. If I didn’t like what she proposed, I would just tel her no. Simple as that. I didn’t have to al ow her to control me. Just because I was in unfamiliar territory didn’t mean I had to come out the loser.
    Those thoughts gave me some courage as I
    scanned the restaurant. I spotted Vanessa sitting near a back window.
    She real y was a beautiful woman. Her strawberry blonde hair and smattering of freckles across her face gave her a look that hinted at innocence, but the fire roaring behind her icy blue eyes and the way she held her impeccable body told you she was anything but. Yet she did nothing for me. Nobody ever did.
    She gave me a nod from across the room, letting me know she’d seen me, and I strode across the floor to her.
    “Vanessa.” I dipped a curt nod, deciding to go al business.
    “Hel o, Daniel.” She leaned up from her chair, as if she expected some sort of embrace. I extended her my hand. She narrowed her eyes before returning the formal shake and then sat back down. She sipped her water and studied me.
    I didn’t want to be a complete dick to her. I stil had to sit with her through dinner, but I didn’t want her to have the upper hand in this conversation.
    “So, how’s everything going with the new
    practice?” she asked casual y.
    Nice way to start the conversation, Vanessa. She might as wel have asked me to whip out my checkbook.
    I struggled to sound normal. “Everything is going pretty wel . That’s actual y what the dinner is about tonight.
    It’s a meeting with the contractors I want to hire for the project.”
    The server appeared and took our order, and I was thankful for the few minutes of distraction. The moment she walked away, an uncomfortable silence settled over us, both of us glancing around the restaurant and then back at the table; anything to keep from making eye contact. I began playing with my tie before deciding I’d had enough of the whole situation.
    “Al right, Vanessa. Why are we here?”
    Taken off guard, she jerked her head up. She pursed her lips together and then sucked the bottom one in nervously before looking me straight in the eye. “I’m pregnant.” My brow furrowed as I tried to understand why the hel she thought that information would be important to me.
    “Wel , congratulations, I guess. But what does this have to do with me?” The whole conversation was uncomfortable. It took