"Good night sweetheart. What are you doing up so late?" Elise Trent asked as she came to the office.

"Good night Mom, I could ask you the same thing?" Josh replied looking up from the finishing touches on one of the drawings he was working on.

"I told you I had a date tonight," she replied sitting in one of the chairs in front of the desk.

"Ah...Yes, you did. Did you have fun?" He knew she did. He could tell from the glow on her face.

"Yes, I did but enough of me...."

"No Mom, you don't get off that easily. When do I get to meet the man my mother's spending so much time with lately?" Josh sat back in his chair and smiled at her.
"When I feel comfortable it's serious enough. Now tell me about you. There's a calm...happiness about you lately. What's it from and don't tell me it's from you getting this contact."

Josh smiled. "It is and we haven't gotten it yet. We just won the first part of the bid to come up with an ad. If it goes great then we'll get the contract but until then, everything's still a chance."

"Josh...I know you better than that. Who is she?"

Josh laughed and leaned forward resting his arms on the desk. He looked at the pencil he held between his fingers and smiled.

"I'm attracted to one of my employees." He looked up to see the shocked look on his mother's face.

"Oh...This is new. I thought you...."

"I did...I do...it's complicated."

"Why is it complicated? You're attracted to her. So what if she's an employee? Take a chance Josh, just define the boundaries first."

Josh took a deep breath and swallowed. "She's also pregnant."

Now that Elise Trent was not expecting. "Is she married?"

"No and the father is no longer in her life and I doubt he wants anything to do with the baby."

"Why?"

"I don't know the details except he wasn't very good to her and she's happy he's gone."

"And you're attracted to her?"

Josh sighed and sat back in the chair once again. "Yes. She's beautiful and smart and...and she's the new accountant Perry and I hired for my company."

"Perry?"

"Yes, one of my classmates who helped me get this contract." When his mother nodded her understanding he continued. "Well he's working with her mostly but she's my employee and I've never been in this situation before." Josh closed his eyes and rolled his neck from side to side to release the some of his tension.

His mother sighed. "Yes I can see that. But why isn't Perry working with David?"

"He found some discrepancies with the numbers I gave him and wanted to go over them separately...he wants to do it this way. He's doing the initial backing." His mother was about to interrupt, "The papers couldn't go to the bank the way they were. The discrepancy was enough to wave a flag. He just wants to see if it was an accounting error."

"I'm confused but I'm sure you know what you're doing."

"Yeah, I hope so."

"So tell me more about this pregnant woman you have a crush on."

"Mom I'm not in high school and her name is Kamea."

"Kamea....beautiful name and I know your not in high school but it's still a crush and quite romantic. Now tell."

It's been three weeks since Sarah's idea was approved by the cosmetic company Bright Beauty and Kamea was hired to replace her. Josh told Perry about Kamea and he'd taken over immediately wanting her to work with him exclusively. She mostly worked from home assisting Perry with the audit of the accounts. That worked out great for her since she continued to be plagued by morning sickness. But when she did come into the office, Josh felt excited by her presence. To him the pregnancy seem to make her glow and get lovelier every day...a loveliness which seemed to tangle him more in its web. He told his mother about then interview but not about the first time they truly met.

"I love that you haven't lost your romantic side. I was getting worried with you not dating, but son you need to go out on a date with a woman you have a real chance with. While the father of her baby may not be in her life now, it doesn't mean he can't change his mind." She paused before continuing, looking at Josh the entire time. "When was the last time you went out on a date? I'm still expecting some grandchildren form you. God knows I don't know when your sister's going to get with it. I'm not getting any younger...."

Josh laughed. It was the same thing almost every week. Every since his sister Dana got married, his mother has been expecting grand children almost immediately. She kept telling them she missed the sound of children's laughter running thought her house. He kept passing that job to Dana since he was too busy trying to save the company.

"I know you're not getter any young just more beautiful each passing day."

"You're a sweet talker just like you father." His mother smiled as she remembered her beloved husband.

"Well it's off to bed with you young lady. You need your beauty rest."

His mother went around the desk to kiss him goodnight and then left him to his work. Josh picked up the pencil and sat back in the chair and thought about Kamea and his growing attraction for her.

When he'd met her in the hotel bar that night, he knew she was running away from something...A bad date or even a very difficult day at work. They'd laughed and talked and had a great time just 'shooting the breeze' so to speak. When she tried to leave and swayed, the bartender didn't think she could make it home alone and neither did he. He didn't want the night to end so he got a room at the same hotel. It was at the room door that the saw it in her eyes, the unspoken plea of not wanting to be alone that night, the same plea he knew reflected in his eyes. With the slight nod of her head, he'd sealed their lips together.

The first time was frantic and hard...desperate. The second time was still hard but it was also...deeper. Barriers when down, there was an acknowledgement of each other. And then the morning after when while getting dressed he discovered his shirt and money missing, he'd cursed the night she'd crossed his path, only to have her cross it again.

She was no thief. She'd given him back the money, all of it and he still couldn't believe it. She had accidentally grabbed five thousand dollars cash along with his shirt in her hurry to escape, didn't know who he was and still she didn't use any of it. Even his shirt was washed and ironed and hanging in her closet as if waiting for him to just come by and retrieve it.

What little he'd learned from Sarah he was enthralled by. According to Sarah, Kamea didn't know who her parents were which meant the woman in the picture he thought was her mother wasn't. Even though she grew up poor, she was always kind, very smart and honest. Sarah had yet to say a bad thing about her friend, other than she was suckered by the asshole who Sarah wanted to personally castrate, since it seems Kamea doesn't like the sight of blood.

The few times he'd spoken with Kamea she'd been cordial but quickly ended their conversation which left him wanting to know more about her. She was beginning to show but that was only to the people who knew she was pregnant. She still looked fairly slim and flat for a woman who was almost four months pregnant. Every time he saw her, that tiny flicker of hope, the single strand of thread buried deep beneath the duty at hand and 'common sense' tried to push its way to the surface, the baby was his.

Josh got up and went to bed noting to himself to call Perry about the audit of his company's finance.

((~~!~~))


"I'll get it..." Kamea yelled to Sarah who was in the kitchen checking on the chicken in the oven.

Sunday dinner would begin soon and Perry was coming by. He'd called earlier to ask if he could drop off some papers for Kamea and she'd invited him to dinner, which he gladly accepted. Mr. Wang was also coming over for a change of scenery, which was why she was genuinely surprised to hear Josh on the other end of the phone when she answered.

"Hi Kamea," Josh replied to her hello.

"Hi...hello Mr...."

"It's Josh."

"Sorry. Yes Josh. How are you doing?"

"Fine. How are you feeling?"

"Fine thank you."

The phone was silent as neither knew what they wanted to say next.

"Have you spoken with Perry this weekend?"

"He's coming over soon." [knock, knock].

"I'll get it..." Sarah said coming out of the kitchen. "Perry,"

"I brought gifts." Perry said to Sarah before looking past her to Kamea. "Sorry Kamea I didn't know what you wanted and you didn't return my text message." He handed a tray of pastries to Sarah as he entered.

"Oh I'm so sorry Perry," Kamea replied.

"Perry's there?" Josh asked interrupting.

"Oh...yeah...I'm sorry. He just showed up. Would you like to speak with him?"

"Actually I'd like to see him but...." Josh hesitated.

"Would you like to stop by? We're having dinner if you'd like to join us." Kamea turned to look at Sarah who was a bit startled at the invitation but shrugged her shoulder.

"Are you sure? I don't want to intrude."

Kamea hear the tension in his voice and wandered about it briefly before dismissing it. "No...no....it won't be a problem. Sarah and I made enough."

"Did you want me to pick up anything?"

"No...I don't think there anything we need but hold on let me ask Sarah." Kamea turned to see Sarah and Perry laughing while he helped Sarah place the plates on the table.

"Sarah was there anything else we needed?"

"Hey is Josh coming by?" Perry asked.

"Yes, he is. Sarah?" Kamea responded.

"No, nothing," Sarah replied.

"Nope, we don't need anything, just come by. By the time you get here dinner will be on the table."

"Great...Thanks. I'll be there in a few minutes.

"Great.."

They both ended the call.

((~~!~~))


Josh parked his car and looked up at the building. Yes he wanted to see Perry but it could have waited until tomorrow. He'd called Kamea to hear her voice, to see if he had a crush on her as his mother had teased. He closed his eyes and thought about how he had held his breath waiting for her to answer the call and when she did her voice both calmed and excited him in the same breath. Yes it was definitely a crush. He was a 33 year old man with a high school crush only he'd already made love to his high school crush and she was pregnant for another man. He would have to get over this and soon.

((~~!~~))


Kamea's heart began to race when she heard the knock at the door. Mr. Wang was already seated at the table and Perry was helping Sarah get the food from the kitchen so the only person it could be was Josh. She wasn't allowed to help since it seems being pregnant made one an invalid.

Inviting Josh was almost like playing with fire. She had not seen him in more than a week and they spoke very sparingly. But she missed his eyes, so intense and probing. There was also something else about him she couldn't quite put her finger on. Knowing she was behaving like a school girl with her first crush, Kamea convinced herself it was acceptable since he was the father of her baby. Furthermore, she never had a high school crush or a college sweetheart. Derek was just the worst experience she'd for a relationship and she was terrified of repeating it. But Josh...he made her feel things she had never felt before and she liked the feeling of excitement she got when he was around. So tonight she would pretend he was having dinner with her just because he wanted to and not because of his companies finance.

She opened the door and hoped she looked presentable.

"Hello Joshua. Come in please." She stepped aside allowing him to pass. He smiled and entered.

"Josh, hey man what's going on?" Perry asked coming to shake his hand.

"Hey Perry, I'm good. How are things with you?"

"Going great. Hey I want to talk with you soon about some things I found. Well I should say Kamea," he turned to Kamea who was standing between the two. "She's been fantastic with the work I've given her." They both smiled at her.

Kamea blushed and went to Mr. Wang's side.

"Josh this is my next door neighbor Mr. Wang. My Wang, this is my boss Joshua Trent of Trent Advertising."

"It nice to meet you young man," Mr. Wang said as he held out his hand to Josh.

Josh came forward and took Mr. Wang's hand. "It nice to meet you also sir."

"Well let's get this dinner started shall we?" Mr. Wang asked.

"Yes we should," replied Sarah coming out of the kitchen with two bottles of salad dressing.

"Yes, please have a seat," Kamea said motioning Josh to sit anywhere.

"Okay, thank you...." Josh replied taking a seat and hoping Kamea would be sitting next to him.

She sat instead beside Mr. Wang who sat across from him. This way she could look at him without getting caught staring.

((~~!~~))


After dinner, they all sat and spoke for a while before Kamea helped Mr. Wang back to his apartment. She'd told Sarah not to clear the dishes but when she got back they were mostly cleared. Perry had asked Sarah to show him the ad she was working on and they were in the living room looking at the concept with Josh. Sarah called her over but Kamea declined stating she already knew of Sarah's talent. After all she was the recipient of Sarah's many three am wake up call about a new idea she'd thought of. Everyone laughed and Kamea make her way to the kitchen.

Kamea was deep in thought when she was startled by Josh from behind. "Do you need any help with the dishes?" She placed her hand over her heart as she turned to face him. "I sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. I just...."

"...No....No you didn't scare me," she swallowed, "Well yes, you did scare me," she swallowed, "but it was nothing. I've been scared worse before. Sarah used to think it was her one mission in life when we were teenagers," she smiled remembering.

Josh moved into the kitchen more. "Yes, I forgot you two have known each other for a long time."

"Yes, you could say that. We met in elementary school and haven't been separated since. Almost like congenial twins."

Josh laughed out loud and Kamea relished baritone sound as it pulsated through her. She turned back to the dishes and Josh moved to her side to help. They worked in silence and before long the dishes were washed and the kitchen was clean. The only thing on the counter was the strawberry cheesecake Perry brought along with the apple turnovers. They seemed to stare at her, tempting her to just take a bite.

"Why don't you have one?" Josh asked noticing the look she gave them.

She looked at him, then back at the cake then back at him again before answering.

"I'm big enough as it is and I won't need any help getting bigger."

Josh looked at her surprise. "Kamea you don't look four months pregnant. I'm sure I've seen pregnant women larger than you at your stage and you're...beautiful."

Kamea was shocked and pleased with the compliment. It made her feel beautiful especially in front of him. But it also made her ask why she wanted to feel that way in front of him? She quickly turned away and said 'Thank you," softly.

They were silent for about a minute when Josh asked again, "May I ask you a personal question?"

Kamea looked up surprised. "Yeah..yes."

"I know it's personal but have you heard from the father?"

Kamea looked at him before looking away with her head bowed.

"No...No...No I haven't." She turned to look at him. "I'm okay having the baby on my own. I think it's better this way anyway." She looked down. "He gets to have the life he should and I get this baby." She smiled and looked up. "It's fine."

Kamea turned her head away when she felt the tears begin to build behind her eyelids. Now she wanted him to go.