Pulled by Amy Lichtenhan Page B

seconds, seeking his attention, but it seemed as if he didn’t even know she was there.
    Nicholas had grown frustrated with the situation, his voice commanding attention as he tried to force his presentation on Daniel. There was an edge to his voice that no smart businessman would ever direct toward a potential client, but I knew Nicholas. He was jealous that I was receiving what he thought he deserved. I was supposed to be there to win him more attention, not to take it from him.
    Poor Shane seemed to have no clue what was going on, only that things were spiraling out of control. He jumped in trying to salvage the evening. I felt awful that my presence had ruined this for him. I looked at him, offering a weak smile of encouragement as he cut in and started speaking for Nicholas.
    Katie stared at Daniel as he stared at me. She was trying to sort everything out. I could see it in the squint of her eyes and the furrow of her brow.
    Shane seemed to have drawn Daniel in, asking him questions about how he felt about certain details. I could stil feel the tension radiating off him, but he was at least having a serious conversation with Shane. He stil had never even glanced at Vanessa, who sipped her water, appearing bored or maybe annoyed. Shane made quick progress, and it seemed al of Daniel’s concerns were put to rest, Shane having a solution for everything. Nicholas seethed at Shane, jealous, once again, that his younger partner had the charisma he lacked.
    Relief washed over the table when dinner arrived.
    They put talk of business on hold for the moment as our server placed our food in front of us.
    Katie gave me a curious glance as she started to speak. “So, Daniel, you just recently moved here to Chicago? Where did you come from?” Her head tilted to the side, waiting for his answer, her eyes sliding to mine for the briefest moment before they went back to Daniel’s.
    He cleared his throat, frowning. “Uh, I’m from Colorado.” He turned his attention back to his plate, obviously trying to avoid Katie’s questions. I tried to warn her by clenching her thigh to stop but knew she’d continue until she got her answers. I was sure she’d already figured out who Daniel was.
    “Mm.” She took a smal bite of her baked potato as she nodded before turning her attention to Vanessa.
    “Vanessa, how do you know Daniel?” She played it off as smal talk, but it was anything but.
    Vanessa’s face brightened, and she reached for Daniel’s hand and squeezed it. “Daniel and I are having a baby!”
    I choked on my steak, tears fil ing my eyes as another part of my heart ripped from me. I knew that was the reason he didn’t want me, but it hurt to have it paraded in front of me. I covered the sob in my throat with a cough.
    Nicholas glared at me, warning me to get myself under control.
    Daniel’s eyes flew to me, pain etched deep in the lines of his face, jerking his hand from Vanessa. I didn’t understand what was happening between the two of them.
    He should be thril ed. Al he’d ever wanted was to be a father, and now he was going to get it. I wanted to be angry that he had that without me, but I knew how much he deserved it. He had the best heart of any person I’d ever met. Deep inside al I wanted was for him to be happy even if it kil ed me to watch it happen.
    Katie was relentless. “Oh, I guess congratulations are in order then?” It was almost a question as she looked at Daniel. He turned his head to the opposite wal , raking his hands through his hair the way he always did when he was worried or upset.
    “So, is this your first child?” It was clear she wanted Daniel to answer, but Vanessa spoke first. “Yes, it’s a boy. We’re so excited.”
    I felt as if a knife had been jabbed directly into my stomach, the air leaving me as I clutched my torso and squeezed my eyes shut.
    I couldn’t listen.

    I stil couldn’t believe melanie was here.
    It was al I could do to keep myself from jumping over the