Updated Mar 22, 2026 • ~3 min read
Chapter 9: After Hours
MAREN
Week fifteen.
The baby is the size of an apple.
I looked it up.
I’m obsessed with the pregnancy apps.
Reading every update.
Every milestone.
And I’m showing more.
Definitely showing.
Loose clothes only go so far.
Sienna notices during our strategy meeting.
“You need to tell Conrad. Soon.”
“After Hartley.”
“Maren, that’s five weeks away. You’ll be five months pregnant.”
“I know.”
“He’s going to notice.”
“I’ll be careful.”
But she’s right.
Time is running out.
***
I keep running into Jasper.
Not planned.
Just… happens.
Industry events. Networking mixers. Coffee shops.
Always the same electric tension.
The same desperate need to touch him.
Tonight: charity gala.
Marketing industry fundraiser.
Black tie. Fancy hotel.
Both agencies will be there.
I wear a flowing dress.
Empire waist.
Hides the bump.
Conrad arrives with our team.
Jasper arrives with his.
Opposite sides of the ballroom.
As always.
But our eyes find each other.
Across the room.
Loaded. Wanting.
I excuse myself to the restroom.
Need air.
Space.
When I come out, Jasper is waiting.
In the hallway.
Alone.
“Hey.”
“Hey yourself.”
“You look beautiful.”
I glance around.
Make sure no one’s watching.
“We can’t talk here.”
“I know. But I had to tell you. You’re stunning.”
I smile despite myself.
“The baby is showing. Can you tell?”
His eyes drop to my stomach.
Hidden under flowing fabric.
“No. But I know it’s there. And it’s perfect.”
Footsteps approaching.
We step apart.
Pretend we weren’t talking.
Industry colleague walks past.
Nods politely.
Close call.
When they’re gone, Jasper whispers:
“Meet me. After this. My car. Parking garage.”
“Jasper—”
“Please.”
I shouldn’t.
It’s risky.
Dangerous.
But—
“Okay. Thirty minutes.”
***
JASPER
I’m waiting in my car.
Underground parking.
Level B3.
Then I see her.
Walking toward me.
Careful. Looking around.
She gets in.
Passenger seat.
“This is insane.”
“I know.”
“If anyone sees—”
“They won’t.”
But I pull her close anyway.
Kiss her.
Desperate.
Hungry.
Weeks of pretending we’re enemies when all I want is to claim her publicly.
“I hate this,” I murmur against her lips.
“Hate what?”
“Hiding. Pretending. Acting like you’re nothing to me.”
“Five more weeks. Then Hartley decides. Then we tell everyone.”
“What if they don’t accept it?”
She pulls back.
Looks at me.
“Then we deal with it. Together.”
“You mean that?”
“I do. I’ve been thinking about your merger idea. About Ross-King Agency.”
“And?”
“And… maybe you’re right. Maybe it’s the only way forward.”
Hope surges.
“Really?”
“Really. But we need a solid plan. Numbers. Strategy. Something undeniable.”
“I’ll put together a proposal. Show you this weekend.”
“Okay.”
She kisses me again.
Then her phone buzzes.
Conrad.
*”Where are you? Event is ending.”*
Shit.
“I have to go.”
“I know.”
She opens the door.
Pauses.
“Jasper?”
“Yeah?”
“I’m scared. But I’m also… happy. With you. With this baby. With us.”
My heart clenches.
“Me too.”
She leaves.
And I sit in my car.
Smiling like an idiot.
Because in five weeks, this secret becomes real.
And I can’t wait.
END OF CHAPTER 9
Reader Reactions