Lillian made her way to Anna and climbed on the counter next to her. She nodded graciously and took the warm mug from her, wrapping her hands around it as she took a small sip.“It’s 9am,” Anna replied, pouring herself a cup.

  Lillian’s eyes widened and she gulped down the steaming liquid. “Ow,” she yelped. Her tongue burned.

  “It’s hot, careful,” she heard Anna say. Lillian had already jumped o the counter and was running around the room in search of her clothes.

  She spun around in a circle, and her eyes scanned the room. “Where’s my underwear?”

  “Bedroom,” she heard Anna reply.

  “I’m late, I’m late, I’m late,” she repeated under her breath.

  “What time do you have to be in?”

  “I have to be at work in 30 minutes,” she shouted from the bedroom. “Bra?” Lillian called out.

  “Living room!” she heard Anna yell back.

  She darted to the living room and turned to Anna. “Thank you,” she breathed out.

  “That’s plenty of time. Why are you in a rush?” Anna asked.

  Lillian looped her arms through her bra. “I won’t have time to shower, let alone go back and change.” She grumbled, “These fucking hooks.”

  Anna chuckled softly and walked towards her. “Turn around.”

  Lillian sighed and turned her back to Anna. She felt her soft hands hook the clasp of her bra. “Usually, I take these o for other women.”

  Lillian chuckled, “Thank you.”

  Anna nodded. “Why don’t you just shower here? I don’t mind.”

  “Really? I don’t want to impose.”

  “It’s no big deal,” Anna replied. “There are fresh towels in the cabinet next to the shower and feel free to help yourself to anything you need,” she said, walking away.

  “I’ve got the day o today and need to run some errands, so take your time in there.”

  “Thank you,” Lillian called out as she ran to the bathroom. She climbed into the shower while securing her hair into a bun and turned the knob, dousing her body with water. She grabbed the nearest bottle and inspected the label.

  Fuck it, she thought before squeezing a good amount of shampoo into the palm of her hand and lathering it all over her body. She ran her body under the water once more and

  turned the water o . She grabbed a towel from the cabinet and stepped out of the shower. The cold air hit her wet body; her teeth chattered as she wiped herself dry.

  Lillian undid her hair and ran her hands through it. She looked at her reflection in the mirror—yesterday’s makeup still semi intact. “That’ll have to do for today,” she sighed.

  She clutched her towel and made her way to the bedroom; her clothes were laid out on the bed for her.

  “Thank you,” she called out.

  “Stop thanking me,” Lillian heard Anna shout. She smiled to herself as she got dressed hurriedly. She was pulling the side zipper of her skirt up when she heard Anna announce,

  “It’s 9:20!”

  “Crap,” she muttered. Lillian tucked her blouse in her skirt and rushed to the living room. “Have you seen my—?"

  Anna was standing by the door. Her purse hung from her elbow; she held Lillian’s blazer up, ready to go.

  “Blazer?” Anna asked.

  Lillian sighed, “Thank you.”

  “Stop that,” she said as Lillian slipped her hand through the sleeves. Anna handed her the purse and opened the door for her.

  “Thank—"

  Anna rolled her eyes and shook her head.

  “I’ll see you later,” she said instead.

  “Better,” Anna replied. “Now, go.”

  Lillian waved as her feet moved quickly down the stairs.

  “Thank you!” she exclaimed. She all but ran to her car.

  Lillian backed out of the parking spot hastily. She heard a loud honk. “Sorry!” she yelled. Her tardiness wasn’t enough to keep her thoughts from wandering. Her body was in overdrive, trying to get her to work, but her mind? It was stuck on last night’s events. She felt herself smile as she recalled Anna’s playfulness; her languid movements, the

  sounds of pleasure she emitted. Lillian’s pussy pulsed faintly at the thought of the gorgeous woman who had given her so much satisfaction.

  She pulled herself from her little daydream and glanced at the dashboard. “9:30. Shit.” The hospital came into view; she took a turn and drove through the main entrance. Lillian placed her car into park, leaving the engine running. She grabbed her purse and pushed the door open.

  “Just this once, Rob!” Lillian called out as she ran through the glass doors.

  “I’ll send the valet bill to Lori,” she heard the young man shout back.

  Her foot tapped against the cold marble floor. “Come on, come on,” she muttered under her breath, watching the elevator go from floor to floor. Lillian threw her hands up and bolted down the hall. She flew up three flights of stairs and was out of breath by the last step. Note to self; take the stairs more often.

  She tried to compose herself. She steadied her ragged breathing and straightened her blazer. Lillian moved in a hurried pace, taking big steps.

  “You’re late,” she heard Lori sing.

  Lillian glared at her. “I know.”

  Lori slipped out of her seat and walked alongside Lillian.

  “Co ee?”

  “I already had some,” she said, unlocking the door to her o ce. Lillian collapsed in her seat and glanced at the clock.

  She grabbed the patient file. “Shit, I really hope she hasn’t been waiting long.”

  “Did you not check your phone, Doc?”

  Lillian looked up. “What now?” she groaned.

  “Your AM appointment cancelled last night. She’s scheduled for noon instead. I could have sworn I sent you an email. I even texted you,” Lori explained.

  “Wait? What?”

  Lori’s eyes narrowed. “Yeah. You were late for your meeting with Doctor Bitzer but the old hag cancelled too.

  Which I also emailed you about this morning, by the way.”

  Lillian took a deep breath and slumped into her chair.

  “Why didn’t you start with that?”

  “Are you wearing the same thing?” Lori questioned.

  She glanced down at her attire. Shit. She noticed. Think!

  Lori’s eyes widened then a large grin appeared on her face. “Pay up.”

  “Honestly, Lori. Like many other people, I too own a washing machine. Clothes get dirty, you wash them and re-wear them. I’m a busy woman you know, I don’t have time to go shopping. So, yes. I have committed a fashion o ense. I am an outfit repeater,” Lillian blurted.

  Lori raised a brow. “Right. You’re such a busy woman and yet you had the time to wash that specific outfit and get co ee while you were running late?”

  “I-Uh,” Lillian stammered.

  Lori smirked. “Yes?”

  Lillian shook her head and sighed deeply. She grabbed her purse and pulled her wallet out. Her fingers flitted through the bills before settling on a five-dollar bill. Lillian placed it on the table. “Happy?”

  “Very,” she replied. “But the real question is, are you happy?”

  Anna’s face came to mind and she couldn’t help but smile. “Oh god, yes, it was fucking incredible.”

  Lori reached out for the bill. “You know, when I said that you two would hit it o , I didn’t have this in mind. I thought you’d go out first or something. Not that you’d come to work the next day in the same clothes you wore yesterday,” she chuckled.

  Lillian slid the note away from her. “You know what? I think I have five dollars’ worth in change somewhere in here,” she said, ri ing through her purse. “Weren’t you complaining about coins and a laundromat the other day?”

  Lori whined, “Doc.”

  “Yes, yes. I distinctly remember you telling me the washing machine in your building broke and you’ve had to haul your laundry across the street to a dodgy little laundromat that only took coins but you never have any on you,” she rambled, stacking the quarters neatly on her desk.

  Lori rolled her eyes. “That you remember?”

  Lillian gestured to the stack of coins in front of her. “Your spoils.”

  Lori sneered at Lillian. “Keep you damn quarters, woman.”

  “How kind of you,” Lillian chuckled as she collected the coins.

  Lori sat in the seat normally reserved for patients, placing her chin in her hands. “Tell me everything,” she squealed.

  “A lady doesn’t kiss and tell.”

  “Fine. Don’t share anything with me, but I have enough to go on by that look on your face,” Lori snorted.

  “There is no ‘look’ on my face.”

  “I’m looking at it right now,” Lori sang as she got up from her seat. She walked to the door. “Just be careful. We wouldn’t want you liking the poor girl or anything like that.”

  Lillian sco ed, “Who are you talking to? The arrangement is strictly casual friends with benefits. And strictly top secret!”

  “Mm hmm,” Lori hummed as she closed the door.

  “Hey, kid,” Lillian called out before the door shut.

  Lori stuck her head through the gap. “Did you need something, Doc?”

  Lillian held out the five-dollar bill. “A deal’s a deal.”

  Lori flashed her a smile. “Nah, I wasn’t in it for the money, Doc. I’m just happy that you’re happy.”

  “Are you sure?” she asked, waving the piece of paper in the air.

  “Positive. Save if for one of your dates with Ms Lacey. My bad, I meant, Anna, ” Lori sung, shutting the door.

  Lillian smiled, shaking her head.

  11

  Annabel groaned as she inspected the hole in her wall.

  She was having a hard time putting together the baby crib and in a fit of rage flung the hammer across the room. Naturally, it hit the wall and left a small crater.

  “Great,” she threw her hands in the air, “I just had that painted, too.” Annabel sat on the floor and crossed her legs.

  Her belly was really swelling now. She pulled her phone out of her back pocket and typed, You wouldn’t by any chance

  know how to cover up a hole in the wall, would you?

  Her phone buzzed in her hand. Not the slightest clue,

  Lillian’s text read. Another text came in, Should I ask?

  I’ll explain later, she replied.

  Annabel stared at her phone blankly. I guess my best bet is the internet. She typed “how to spackle a wall DIY” into the search engine and clicked on the first few results the web had to o er.

  “How hard can it be?” she asked herself. After five videos, a wikiHow guide and a few Pinterest posts, Annabel made her way to the nearest hardware store. She waltzed in there, armed with the basics of do-it-yourself home renovations and grabbed a tub of spackle, a roll of sandpaper, and a putty knife.

  Her phone rang as she loaded the supplies into the back of her car. Annabel shut the door and quickly brought the phone up to her ear. “Hello?”

  “Hey, did I catch you at a bad time?” she heard her younger sister ask.

  Annabel smiled, sliding into her seat. “Deb! Not at all. I’m just heading back from the hardware store. What’s up?”

  “Hardware store?”

  Annabel chuckled, “Yeah, so, I was trying to put the crib together but instead I made a hole in the wall.”

  The line was silent before she heard Deb burst into laughter, “Only you could manage that, Sis,”

  “This stu is hard!” she whined.

  “That’s why they have instructions, Anna,” Deb explained. “Anyways, I called because I’m having dinner with Mom and Dad later and since it’s on the way, I thought I could come over for a movie night after.”

  “I’d love to but Lillian’s coming over tonight. You can come by before you see Mom and Dad?” she suggested.

  “Lillian? Your hot geeky baby doctor? You’re still seeing her?”

  Annabel felt her cheeks rise into a smile. “Yes.”

  “That’s all I’m getting?” her sister pushed.

  She chuckled, “What do you want to know?”

  “Are you guys dating?”

  “No. It’s strictly casual. It has been months now of strictly casual hanging out and exceptionally good sex and I fucking love it,” Annabel replied. She heard her sister hum disapprovingly. “What? I can do casual. Besides, we’re just having fun and Lillian’s been super helpful with the whole pregnancy thing.”

  “I’m glad to hear that, I really am, but I don’t want to see you get hurt, that’s all,” Deb sighed.

  “I know, but honestly? It’s exhilarating sneaking around during appointments. I get my needs met and the company is great. It’s all the benefits of a relationship without the downside. It’s fine,” she explained.

  Deb sighed, “It sounds more like you’re trying to convince yourself.”

  “Honestly, it’s fine, Deb. We’re both clear on the rules.”

  “And you haven’t crossed them yet? It’s been what? A few months since you two started seeing each other?” she questioned.

  “Okay, so she stays over from time to time but it’s only because it’s more convenient. The hospital is closer from my house and driving up and down would just be a waste of money. Not to mention terrible for the environment,”

  Annabel babbled.

  “Right.”

  “It’s fine!” Annabel exclaimed. “She always packs a bag and never leaves a thing.”

  “You can keep saying it’s fine all you want but I’m not buying it,” Deb replied.

  Annabel shook her head. “It’s fi—” she sighed. “Look, we made a deal. Do I want more? Maybe. How could I not? She’s been amazing, she’s kind and genuine and the sex is amazing, we have such a laugh, I feel so cared for, and loneliness aside, I haven’t been this comfortable with anyone. Not even Mel. Honestly, it feels like way more than casual. I mean we haven’t quite had that conversation, but, oh god, I don’t know. I like her. A lot,” she added.

  Deb was silent after her sister’s confession.

  “Don’t do that,” Annabel sighed.

  “I didn’t say anything,”

  She shook her head. “You didn’t have to.”

  “I just don’t want you to get hurt,” her sister explained.

  “I won’t. I wasn’t looking for anything in the first place.

  I’m just going to put all of my focus on this baby.”

  “Okay,” Deb replied.

  “Are you going to come by before you see Mom and Dad?”

  “No, I’ve got plans before but let’s take a raincheck? I’ll call you tomorrow,” she could hear the worry in Deb’s voice.

  “Okay,” Annabel responded. She heard the end tone drone, signaling her sister had hung up. “It’s fine,” she told herself, “Nothing’s changed.”

  She placed the key in the ignition and drove home. “It’s fine,” she repeated.

  Annabel parked her car and glanced at her phone, 1 unread

  message from Doctor Lillian Foster. She smiled as she read the text. I can’t wait to hear all about it later, Lillian wrote. Then another. I can’t wait to see all of you later.

  She wiped the smile o of her face. Nothing’s changed.

  Annabel slid her phone into her back pocket and got out of the car. She slung one bag around her arm and grabbed the other two, hu ng and pu ng to the door.

  “Do you need help?” she heard someone ask.

  Annabel turned around and flashed the man a smile.

  “Thank you, Mr. Andino, but I’m fine,” she breathed out.

  The elderly Greek man chuckled. “Are you sure? I may be an old man but I can manage a flight of stair and some bags.

  Besides, you’re very pregnant now, you shouldn’t be carrying such heavy things,” he said.

  “It’s okay, I can do it!” she hu ed.

  He shook his head and took the bags out of her hands.

  “You’re too stubborn.”

  “Mr. Andino, please—"

  “I am carrying these bags for you, young lady. You have enough as it is doing this on your own. Let an old man feel a little young by helping,” he insisted.

  Annabel sighed, “Thank you.”

  Mr. Andino trudged the heavy bags up the stairs and dropped them in front of her doorway.

  “Thank you,” she said once more.

  He smiled at her. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll be in the grocery store if you need any help, Anna.” The elderly man waved at her as he descended down the stairs.

  Annabel stood in her doorway. Her head turned side to side as she debated how to get the bags to the other side of her small apartment. She bent down and grabbed a hold of the handles, dragging the bags across the carpeted floor.

  “There,” she cheered when she crossed the threshold. She stood there feeling triumphant until she remembered why she had to buy the supplies in the first place. Annabel looked between the crib and the hole in the wall.

  “Wall and then crib,” she decided. She used what little strength she had left to move the unassembled crib out of the way. Annabel laid the parts against the wall. One of the side panels slid on the floor. She sighed and picked it up, putting it back in place.

  “Stay,” she commanded the inanimate object.

  Her eyes were trained on the side panel when it slowly slid again. Annabel hu ed, placing it back once more. She stood in place and made sure the panel remained upright.

  Satisfied, she moved on to her next task. She sat on the floor and popped open the tub of spackle. Thud. Annabel leaned her forehead against the wall and sighed. She got to her feet and marched over to the source of her bubbling frustration. She kicked the white wooden panel. “Stupid piece of crap.”

  Annabel stared at the piece of wood and shook her head.

  “Wall and then crib,” she repeated aloud. She backed away from the wooden contraption and resumed her previous position in front of the small crater she had created.

  “Okay,” she clapped her hands together, “let’s do this.”

  Her nose filled with the smell of artificial concrete when she dipped her putty knife into the bucket of spackle. Annabel gagged slightly, covering her nose.

  “Nope, nope, nope,” she felt the vomit rise in her throat and dashed to the bathroom, regurgitating the contents of her stomach in the sink. Annabel let the water run; she watched the water wash away the bile before turning the tap o and leaning over the sink. She took a deep breath. “I can do this.”