Evans looks at me, and I shake my head with a smile. "It's okay. Don't worry about me."
He nods, taking his seat behind his desk. Elena sits across from him and she begins to take out some papers. I turn and notice a bookshelf. There isn’t much on it, just magazines and business books. I see a business magazine and grab it. On the front cover is Evans with two other men, all in suits. One of them is blond and the other has brown hair, but Evans looks the best to me. He really does belong in a magazine. The cover reads, Businessmen. I sit down and begin to read. I realize that the blond guy is Murphy Leonard, his brother. The article is about how they started the business and how successful they've been.
I find an entertainment magazine and scan that one. I’m surprised to find an article about Caroline and her husband, with pictures of them looking angry. Hannah is glaring at something behind her shoulder and her husband, Nathan Hayes, is glaring right at the camera. The picture was obviously not taken of them together, and I assume they were each glaring at paparazzi or something. The article talks about them having problems in their marriage; specially, a supposed affair. The magazine is a couple of months old, so it was either pure gossip or they worked it out. I also find out that Hannah's husband used to be her bodyguard. I find myself intrigued by their love story.
I suddenly realize that this could be my life. If the paparazzi find out what Evans and I are doing, they’re going to be all over our business. Magazines will make up stories and put convenient pictures to go with their gossip. The thought makes me feel sick. What if they find out that it all started out with him hiring me as a surrogate? This could be bad for my career. No one wants a controversial nurse. I close the magazines. There is a reason why I usually don't like reading them.
"Ciara? Are you alright?" Evans is kneeling in front of me.
"I'm sorry. I feel a little sick. Is there a bathroom?"
He nods, then helps me up from the couch and leads me to the bathroom, where I lock myself in. If I'm going to barf, I don't want him to see me. I lean over the toilet for a few minutes, but nothing comes out. I wash my face with water and begin to feel a little better.
When I walk out of the bathroom, Evans rushes to me, looking worried. I smile apologetically. "I'm sorry. It was nothing."
"I think we better go home."
"I'm sorry," I repeat, feeling really bad.
He finishes whatever he and Elena were talking about and then we head back outside. The fresh air really helps.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Evans asks as I get into the passenger seat.
"Yes. I'm really sorry you had to leave. I shouldn't have come."
"Stop apologizing. I'm glad you came. It's nice for you to be interested in what I do."
I roll my eyes at him. "I'm interested in you, period."
He grins. "That's very romantic, Damien."
I laugh, feeling my face grow hot. "Can we go now?"
He chuckles but shuts the door then walks around the car and gets behind the wheel again. I roll down the windows, wanting to feel the cold air. The ride to the condo is silent but peaceful. When I realize how late it is, I suddenly feel as tired as I should feel.
It’s when we walk into the condo that I realize I don't know where I'm going to sleep. I was sleeping with Evans because my mom and Eva were staying in my room. What happens now that they're not here anymore?
Evans stops right outside his room when he realizes that I'm no longer following him. He turns to look at me.
Oh, what the hell.
"I can still sleep with you right?" I ask in a small voice.
He gives me a crooked smile. "I wouldn't have it any other way."