Chapter Twelve

I have never really paid much attention to the way I dress. Trust me, you would not either if you had bigger problems, like growing a baby for a celebrity to pay for your dad's expenses.

Even though I take my time pulling my clothes from the suitcases and organizing my new closet, I finish quickly. I do not even fill half the stupid thing. I get int the shower after admiring the beautiful bathroom. Everything is so beautiful and white; I am scared to stain it.

I ignore my growling stomach for as long as I can, but I smell food and I cannot help it anymore. I open my door slowly and take a peek. Nobody is in the hall, but someone is definitely cooking in the kitchen. I gulp, forcing myself to walk down the hall. This is so ridiculous. I do not feel comfortable here, but I live here now, so I need to find some common ground with Colton. There is a whole conversation planned out with Colton in my head, but when I reach the kitchen, he is not there. Instead, there is a woman in her mid-thirties; she has black hair, pulled back with a pin and is wearing a long jean skirt with a pink blouse.

She smiles when she sees me. "you must be Emily."

"yes," I say with a frown.

"I'm Jenny-I work for Mr. Collins. Food is almost ready," she says, her expression warm.

"Where is…Mr. Collins?"

"he went out."

I nod and take a seat. Does he think I am too lazy to cook or something? I am capable of making my own food-I do not need a house cleaner or cook or whatever.

"You like enchiladas, right?' Jenny suddenly asks me as she fixes me a plate.

"yes, I eat just about anything, really."

"good," she says, placing a plate in front of me. cheese enchiladas, rice, and beans-it is like being in a Mexican restaurant. I love this.

"thank you; it smells delicious."

"My pleasure." She says, going back to the kitchen to clean.

"do you come here every day?" I ask, my mouth watering as I look at the food.

"Not usually, but Mr. Collins told me I will from now on." She looks at me and trails her gaze to my stomach. Great-Colton told her. Now she thinks I am some wild college student who got impregnated by the rich man because we forgot protection or something.

Instead of responding, I start eating; I do not want to keep thinking about this. It is already-done-too late-and I need to get over it. After I finish my food, I offer to wash my plate, but Jenny takes it from me anyway. Moving back to my room, I try to concentrate on studying, but it is no use; I end up falling asleep.

When I open my eyes again, there is light coming through the windows and my eyes widen as I reach for my cell phone.

8:36 a.m.

Oh no! I have class in twenty-four minutes-I am going to be late. I leap out of bed, brushing my teeth and washing my face before I change into jeans and long sleeve shirt. Hurriedly, I throw everything back in my backpack then hurry out of my room. There is no one in the hallway and I do not even bother checking if Colton's home-it is none of my business anyway. It is not until I am out the door that I realize I do not have a key.

Screw it. I will deal with it when I get back.

Since I do not know my way around this neighborhood, I do not know what bus route to take; I meant to wake up early and figure all of this out beforehand. I do not know how long I walk before I finally see a bus stop. I am going to be so late.

When Elizabeth calls me, I answer. "Hello?"

"Where are you? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, why?"

"Class is about to start and you're always here early. I thought something bad happened."

I roll my eyes. 'I woke up late and I just got on the stupid bus. Pass me the notes later, please?"

"Do you want me to pick you up?"

"no, I'll see you at after.

"Okay."

I hang up and sigh. I hate missing class because it is really like missing three days' worth of class. And all because I forgot to set my stupid alarm. Thankfully, I catch the last thirty minutes of class, then Elizabeth and I head to Starbucks.

"What are you getting?" she asks.

I shake my head. "A cup of water."

The cashier nods. "it'll be four-fifty-six."

"Queen of caffeine doesn't want caffeine Elizabeth teases as she hands the cashier her credit card.

I roll my eyes. "I'm trying to take it easy-I don't want to be the reason this baby decides it doesn't like my womb."

She nods as we walk to a table. "the first weeks are the most important. Colton's lucky you are studying to be a nurse.

"I can't believe we're graduating in a month," I shake my head with a smile.

"I know! I can't believe I'm getting married in six months!"

"Are you getting cold feet?"

She laughs. "No. it's just nerve wrecking you know."

"I'm sorry I haven't been helping you with anything."

"Don't worry. You're pregnant now, so you practically have an excuse for everything for the next nine months."

"good to know," I say with a smile.

"how was your first night living with Colton?"

I shrug. "like living alone. Apparently he rarely sleeps there- he's always at this club."

She squints, suspicious. "Why do you sound so disappointed?"

"I don't," I say, rolling my eyes.

"Hmm," she says, standing to get our drinks.

"Why are you reading into things? This isn't some magical story where the wealthy, handsome guy falls for his surrogate." Saying the words aloud make me realize how impossible that is…and how much that disappoints me.

"you said it."

I look away. "I annoy him."

"Why do you think that?"

"I asked him about being left at the altar."

"you did not!" she gasps.

I frown. "Why do you sound so shocked? I was curious-I wanted to know more about him."

"And?"

"he got mad. And he had every right- I was in his business." I narrow my eyes at her. "Because of you!"

She laughs. "I mean he's kind of dumb, don't you think? He drags you to live with him and…what? He does not expect you two to become friends.

"he says he doesn't need friends."

"Well, he's obviously still hurting."

"wouldn't you." I retort defensively.

She frowns. "Can we not talk about being left at the altar when my wedding is coming up."

I smile. "See? It's not easy."

"fine, whatever." She looks at me for a moment. "you know living with him is a dream for a lot of people."

I snort. "Hardly-I am telling you, I don't think he likes me.

"Oh, he likes you; otherwise, he never would've picked you as his surrogate."

I look down. "he's just so difficult. My phone rings, making the table vibrate.

"speak of the devil," Elizabeth says, looking at the caller ID.

I smile and slide my finger across the screen. "Hello?" I am suddenly feeling nervous. We have not spoken since our little fight, and I do not know what mood he is in.

"Emily where are you?" he asks, breathless.

"School?" I say, confused.

"How did you get to school?

Oh no. I know where this is going, and I do not like it. "Colton, I'm capable of getting myself to school."

He scoffs. "Are you really, Miss Valdez?"

"I am"

"you are not using public transportation anymore," he says.

"I've taken public transportation my whole life-I can take care of myself," I say, starting to get a little angry. He does not want me to do anything.

"I wasn't asking," he says curtly. "I'll be picking you up today. We'll talk then."

"But- "he hung up. "I told you he doesn't like me," I tell Elizabeth.

"Emily, you are carrying his baby-he's being protective." She beams. "you have to admit it's kind of cute.

"it's annoying." I say, looking away.

"it's cute," she insists.

I sigh, standing. "Let's go to the library-I have some homework."

She is smiling as she stands and follows me. "it's really cute."

I do not know how much more of Colton's so-called protectiveness I can take.