Baby Surprises 7 Book Box Set

by Layla Valentine

  “He’s got some pretty serious problems with alcohol,” Juliette said, her voice heavy. “I keep thinking that if maybe he could just get away from it completely for a while, he’d manage to kick the issue. He doesn’t have the money though. He can’t hang onto a job because of his drinking, but not having a job makes him drink more. It’s this vicious cycle for all of us. He lives with my parents which causes a lot of stress for them.”

  She paused and sighed. “There would probably be more stress if he lived somewhere else though. They never know when he’s going to drink too much.”

  “Juliette, I’d be happy to pay for—”

  “No,” she cut in, her face heating with embarrassment. “No, that’s not why I was telling you that story.”

  He rolled over so that she faced him and cupped his hand around the back of her neck, his smile gentle. “I know you weren’t shaking me down,” he said. “If it makes you feel better, I could just front you the money and then pay me back once you get your big check.”

  “I’ll—I’ll let you know,” she said. “I haven’t even asked him yet.”

  “Okay,” he said easily. “Just let me know.”

  She snuggled into his chest, pressing her lips to his warm skin. “Thanks, Dominic.”

  There was a long, contemplative pause before he spoke again. “I kind of hate that we’re going to be heading back so soon,” he said. “There are so many more eyes on us in Hollywood.”

  She gave a sad smile. “Yeah, you’re right. We’ll just have to let what happens in Mexico stay in Mexico.”

  “Until the contract is up?” Dominic said, making it a question.

  Juliette couldn’t deny him any longer. The weeks they’d spent together, working by day and making love by night made it impossible. The chance that this was what life with him could be like was too good to let go.

  “Until the contract is up,” she agreed.

  He didn't say anything, but he yanked her against him, pressing kisses to the top of her head. They lay together as long as they dared.

  Chapter 17

  Three Days Later

  “Oh my gosh, I’ve missed you! Welcome home!” Tami said as she threw her arms around Juliette in the middle of the restaurant.

  Juliette had flown in from Mexico so late the night before that she’d booked a room in the hotel across from the airport and slept there. She hadn’t wanted to wake Tami up by bringing in all of her luggage and everything at three in the morning, especially after her friend had mentioned how hard it was getting to sleep and staying asleep.

  Another consideration was the fact that she had to be out at Horizon Studios at two this afternoon. She just hadn’t been able to face the idea of the hour-long drive to Pomona and the hour-long drive back to the studio. This way at least, she had gotten some decent rest.

  It was strange to be back in LA after the long weeks of sun and sand and crystal-clear water in Mexico. Even stranger was being away from Dominic. The night in the cave had been the last time they’d been able to be together, and it was going to be that way for a while.

  She already ached with missing him, but she was determined not to let that show. Right now, she just wanted to enjoy being back in her adopted town and catching up with her best friend. They’d done their fair share of chatting while she was on the film location, but it wasn’t as good as seeing one another in person.

  “You’re so tan now, I can’t believe it,” Tami gushed.

  “Time in the sun on an island will do that,” Juliette agreed with a laugh. “You look great too, by the way.”

  Tami really did look amazing. She was wearing a white sundress, her stomach gently rounding out the front of it. Her face and skin were glowing, and she looked like she belonged in a piece of classical art.

  “Thanks,” she said as they followed the waiter to the table. She put her hand on the swell of her stomach as she lowered herself into her chair. “I like the glow, but I really hate the sitting down,” she said with a laugh as she pushed back her chair a little, trying to position herself comfortably.

  Juliette grinned. “No one ever said that a pregnant lady had to be graceful.”

  “And thank God for that,” Tami said fervently.

  Once they’d placed their orders with the waiter, Juliette turned to her friend. “You said you had big news for me.”

  It was the main reason they’d set up the lunch; Juliette had told Tami that she’d be back at the apartment they shared that evening, but Tami hadn’t been able to wait. She’d told Juliette that she had to tell her what was going on or she was going to burst.

  “Quit leaving me in suspense and tell me what’s up,” Juliette went on when Tami grinned.

  With some difficulty, Tami leaned over and picked up her bag off of the floor. She rummaged through the massive purse for a few seconds and then pulled a photo from the highly disorganized depths of the bag. Instead of handing it over, though, she gazed at it for a second.

  The smile that lit her face almost made tears come to Juliette’s eyes. She’d never seen Tami so happy.

  “I went and got one of those 3D ultrasound pictures,” Tami said after a moment of gazing at the picture. “And it’s a good thing I did because I’m actually further along than they thought.”

  “How much farther along?” Juliette asked in surprise before realizing that she should have known. Tami was already showing so much.

  “I am five months pregnant as of today!” Tami said, her voice wavering with excitement, a smile wreathing her face.

  Juliette clapped her hands to her mouth and stared at her. “Oh, my God! Are you sure? Are you serious?”

  “Totally serious. I’m sure!” Tami nearly squealed. “So, I’m freaking out because I don’t have as much time as I thought. My baby will be here in four months, Juliette.”

  “Let me see the picture!”

  Tami laid it on the table, and a detailed image of her baby greeted Juliette’s eyes. Its hands were up by its head, and its knees were drawn up to its chest. But it was there. It was a tiny little human who they’d get to see much sooner than anticipated.

  “Did you find out what sex the baby is?” Juliette asked when she finally tore her eyes away from the scan.

  “It’s a boy!” Tami said gleefully. “I haven’t done anything except look up names since I found out. Well, that’s not true. I’ve also been buying way too many baby clothes. Little boy outfits are so cute that I can’t stop.”

  Juliette laughed, making a mental note to go do some shopping of her own as soon as she had some time off. “I’m so happy for you, Tami,” she said with a smile. “So, what names are you thinking of?”

  Tami was off and running in a heartbeat. Juliette leaned forward to listen, her eyes still on the ultrasound picture. To her surprise, she found herself wondering what it would be like if that picture was hers, and Dominic was the father.

  Juliette was a cautious woman; she always had been especially where relationships were concerned. Her parents’ marriage was strong, but she’d seen the fallout of other relationships that went south. It was never pretty.

  The suddenness of the idea that she and Dominic could be parents should have frightened her. Indeed it would have, just a few short months ago. But it didn’t frighten her now. In fact, it thrilled her just to think of it.

  “Have I thrown too many names out there?” Tami asked worriedly when Juliette had been silent for a good five minutes. “Am I overwhelming you?”

  “Oh! No, not at all,” Juliette said, snapping her chin out of her hand as she realized that she’d only been listening with half of her mind. “You have lots of good options,” she continued as she reviewed the names and their meanings. Tami had recited both with the accuracy of a walking baby-name book. “I wouldn’t worry about making a decision too early. You’ll probably change your mind a few times in the next four months. Maybe work on creating a shortlist and make it shorter every day until you find the perfect name.”

  “Good
idea,” Tami agreed. She glanced at Juliette and smiled to let her know that she wasn’t upset. “It looked like there was maybe a little more to your thoughts than just good advice, though.”

  Juliette glanced around and then leaned forward. She couldn’t take it. She had news too, and she was just as eager to spill her secrets as Tami had been to talk about the baby. She simply had to tell someone, and she knew that Tami wouldn’t run straight to a gossip magazine with the news.

  “Dominic and I have been seeing each other,” she said, having a hard time keeping her voice from rising to a squeal. “Unofficially, of course,” she went on quickly. “We’re still under that ridiculous contract. It got pretty intense while we were on the island.”

  Tami shook her head as if she thought that she’d misheard. Juliette bit her lip when her friend didn’t even crack a smile. This wasn’t exactly the reaction she’d expected.

  “Are you kidding?” Tami asked after a second or two. “Even after the hit that your career might take if you get found out?”

  “Well, I—he said that he wants to get serious after the movie wraps.”

  She couldn’t miss the look on Tami’s face as she spoke—it brought back every single worry she thought she’d left behind. Tami looked worried and disbelieving. Of course, it really did sound like a lie. Or maybe it didn’t sound quite that bad. Maybe Tami didn’t see it as a lie as much as a line from a person who was used to tossing them out to adoring co-stars.

  “I’m not counting on it,” Juliette said, trying to sound casual. Then, feeling disloyal to Dominic, she admitted, “But I guess I really am hoping for it.”

  Her face still a study in concern, Tami said, “You know you have to be careful, right? Albert Price has eyes everywhere and absolutely no patience if he thinks you’re making a fool of him. He won’t hesitate to screw you over to get at Dominic.”

  “I know, and it’s okay,” Juliette assured her. “We made a deal. What happens in Mexico, stays in Mexico. Here we’re going back to being professional. We don’t have much longer until we’re done so it shouldn’t be hard.” She linked her fingers together tightly. She really wanted her friend to understand, to be on board with this, but it didn't look like she was. “It really feels like it’s more than just a fling, you know?”

  “I just know that I would hate to see you get hurt,” Tami said carefully. “Or have to pay for a silly mistake with your entire career.”

  “I know how to take care of myself,” Juliette said, her tone just a hint sharp. “I’m not a complete bumpkin, you know.”

  Tami bit her lip. Then she sighed and said, “Look, I don’t even know the guy. If you see something there, then I’m happy for you. I hope it works out.”

  Juliette reached across the table and touched Tami’s hand. “I know how it sounds,” she said, deciding honesty was the best way to go. “But I really do feel like there could be something between us. Something different than just good sex and a fling. Maybe it’s not the right decision, but I have to see if I’m right. I’d hate to lose something so good because I didn’t want to take a chance.”

  Tami gave her a smile. It was still uncertain, but Juliette could understand why. Who better than Tami would understand how much losing someone could hurt? How lasting the damage could be? How confusing life could become when someone you loved proved that they weren’t the person you thought they were?

  “Okay,” she said, giving Juliette’s hand a quick squeeze. “Good luck. And I’m sorry I wasn’t as excited as I should have been.”

  Juliette shook her head. “You’re my best friend. You can always tell me what you think.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind,” Tami said, her smile losing its tension. “Right now I’ve gotta run. I have a shoot in downtown, and it’s going to take us forever to get there.”

  As she stood up, dropping some cash onto the table to cover her part of the check and tip, Juliette looked up at her, belatedly realizing what Tami had said. “Wait just a second!” she said. “Who is ‘us’?”

  Tami waved her hand dismissively. “Jason. He insists on carrying all the equipment for me now that I’m showing.” She pointed at Juliette when her lips parted. “Don’t you dare say a word. It’s just for work.”

  Juliette held up her hands in mock surrender. “I’m not saying anything.”

  “You don’t have to,” Tami said with a sigh. “It’s all over your face.”

  Tami glanced at her watch and swore under her breath. She hugged Juliette quickly and hurried out of the restaurant.

  Juliette flagged the waiter down and handed him her card to pay for her meal. Once she’d signed the receipt, and realized that she was running a bit late herself, she grabbed one last sip of her drink before standing up. Then she noticed that the ultrasound picture was still lying on the table.

  It was too late to chase Tami down; Juliette had just seen her duck into a cab. She grabbed the picture and put it carefully into her purse, sending Tami a quick text to let her know she’d picked it up. She knew her friend would freak out the moment she realized it was gone.

  Chapter 18

  “I wouldn’t have cared where we ended up, Megan. This world, another one, or just stuck on some desert island. All that mattered to me was that I was with you.”

  “Is that your way of saying that you love me?”

  “Yeah. I guess it is. I love you, Megan.”

  “I love you too, Jake.”

  Juliette met the kiss eagerly. This was the final scene, and she knew instinctively that there wouldn’t need to be another take. Dominic’s lips were warm against hers. She wanted to keep him there much longer after the director yelled cut.

  Dominic pulled away first, giving her a smile.

  “Perfect!” Edward called. “And that’s it, everyone. That is a wrap!”

  The crew cheered, and Juliette heard a cork pop somewhere to her left. They had all been expecting several more days of shooting, but today had been absolutely charmed. Juliette and Dominic had been on fire for each other after the night apart, and most scenes had only needed one retake if they even needed that.

  And now it was over. Her first real movie experience. The pinnacle of her career so far.

  Now she would simply wait to see how she was received. Dominic had warned her of the mixed bag of reviews that was probably headed her way, but she could honestly say that she wasn’t too worried about that. She knew that she’d handed in a great performance. She was proud of it, her director and co-star had liked it, and that was pretty much all that mattered to her.

  Glasses of champagne were handed around to celebrate the wrap, but Juliette shook her head when it was her turn. She had put in a full day, had a long drive back to her place, and she was still a bit jet-lagged. The last thing she needed was alcohol on top of all of that.

  Thoughtful as ever, and not wanting his leading lady to be left out of the toast, Edward had his assistant run down and get Juliette an orange juice from one of the vending machines. Once the cold bottle was in her hand, they all gathered around in a big circle and raised their glasses.

  “To Sunset Island!” they shouted, clinking their glasses.

  The crew milled about, drinking and chatting. It might have seemed strange that they were hanging out with each other voluntarily while they were celebrating the fact that they were done working together, but it made sense; everyone was enjoying the afterglow that came from completing a long project.

  Dominic stepped up beside Juliette when Sabrina walked away. She and the makeup technician had been chatting about Sabrina’s new project, which she would be heading out to Ireland to begin in just three days. Juliette wasn’t jealous of the fast turnaround; she personally was hoping to sleep for the next three days.

  “It’s almost time to paint the town,” Dominic said with a grin. He’d kept his voice low, but she could tell that he was on the verge of pulling her against him.

  She looked up at him with a slight laugh. “We should probably wait more
than five minutes to—”

  “Oh, shit! Sorry, Juliette,” someone called out.

  She glanced over when she heard the slightly frantic voice. To her relief, she saw that it wasn’t serious: Jackson had knocked her purse over, and everything had spilled out.

  “Oh, it’s okay, Jackson,” Juliette said, as the boom operator scrambled to pick everything up. “There’s nothing important—”

  “What kind of picture is this?” he asked as he picked it up. He squinted at it, turning it upside down and then to the side as he tried to figure it out. “Is it some kind of art project or something?”

  Juliette leaned forward. For a second, she didn’t recognize the photo that Jackson was holding. Then she remembered: she’d never taken Tami’s ultrasound picture out of her bag.

  Jackson figured out what it was at the same time that she did. His eyes went to her orange juice and then back to the picture.

  “Wait. You’re pregnant?” he asked, his eyes going wide in surprise.

  Juliette grinned and said, “It’s not—”

  “What?” Dominic demanded from behind her. She hadn’t realized that he’d moved so close. The shock had increased the volume of his voice, and she nearly spilled her juice when she jumped. “You’re pregnant? When were you going to tell me?”

  All conversation in the room stopped dead at his words. Juliette could feel everyone’s eyes on her. She felt like a bug under glass.

  She stood up from her crouching position and tried to take some form of control over the situation. It wasn’t irredeemable. Not yet.

  “Dominic—” she began, keeping her voice level and professional.

  It didn’t matter. He cut her off.

  “How long have you known about this?” he asked, even louder than before. His expression as he looked at her was a mix of confusion, disbelief, and…was that excitement?

  “I’m not—” she tried once more, but was again interrupted.

  “I’m sure that everyone here is very interested, but if you’re going to explain how you broke the contract, why don’t we do it in my office?” Albert Price said, putting a heavy hand on Juliette’s shoulder. “Edward, are you going to accompany us?”