Читать книгу Little Secrets: Holiday Baby Bombshell - Karen Booth, Karen Booth - Страница 11

Four

Charlotte’s new apartment, especially her home office, was shaping up nicely. Her desk, one of her favorite pieces of furniture, was a floor model she’d picked up for a steal at a lovely designer shop in SoHo. It had weathered gray wood and legs that were heavy and scrolled, with a glass top for smoother writing. She’d never liked the idea of a rolling desk chair—too many opportunities to sit and miss—so instead, she used an upholstered side chair in linen with dark legs and nail-head trim. With a lovely bank of windows streaming in daylight, it was the sunniest possible spot to get her life back on track.

Primped by 9:00 a.m. and dressed for the day in a knee-length navy skirt, black-and-white checked blouse and black pumps, she sat at her desk and began to plan out her day. It was almost enough to make her feel like a confident and accomplished businesswoman. The only thing nagging her was the distinct sense that the clock was ticking. It would only be another ten days or so until she was starting her second trimester.

The words alone—second trimester—filled her with a cocktail of excitement and worry that far surpassed any bout of anxiety she’d ever had to battle. She couldn’t spend too much time perched on this feather-stuffed chair in her photo-spread-ready office, casually writing herself notes. Soon a crib would need to be added, a rocking chair, a bureau for the baby’s things. After that, she’d be focused on practicing breathing techniques and the best ways to navigate her environment while her belly was the size of a Smart car. Soon after that she’d be wandering the apartment in slippers and pajamas, holding her sweet little bundle, wondering what day it was and whether her breasts could ever again be used for anything fun. Or at least that was what Fran had said.