Billionaire's Unexpected Baby: A Small Town Accidental Pregnancy Romance (Secret Love) Read online

  Billionaire’s Unexpected Baby

  A Small Town Accidental Pregnancy Romance

  Nikki Bloom

  © Copyright 2020 by Nikki Bloom. All rights reserved.

  No portion of this document may be reproduced, duplicated, or transmitted in either electronic means or in printed format. This includes, but is not limited to photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods. Recording of this publication is strictly prohibited and any storage of this document is not allowed unless with written permission from the publisher, except as permitted by copyright law. For permissions please contact [email protected]

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are fictitious products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, places, or events is purely coincidental.

  Contents

  1. Madeline

  2. Madeline

  3. Madeline

  4. Carter

  5. Madeline

  6. Carter

  7. Madeline

  8. Carter

  9. Madeline

  10. Madeline

  11. Carter

  12. Madeline

  13. Madeline

  14. Carter

  15. Carter

  16. Madeline

  17. Madeline

  18. Carter

  19. Madeline

  20. Madeline

  21. Carter

  22. Madeline

  23. Carter

  24. Madeline

  25. Carter

  26. Madeline

  27. Carter

  28. Madeline

  29. Carter

  Epilogue

  Mechanic’s Home Run SNEAK PEEK

  Prologue

  1. Thorin

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  About the Author

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  1

  Madeline

  Flinging my apron over my head, I slipped in the back door of the “World Famous” House on the Pier as I tied the strings behind my back. Grumbling to myself as I tied up my hair, I paused in front of a mirror by the busser station to scan myself briefly. I didn’t look like I’d just scrambled to find a babysitter, pick up my kid siblings from school early, and basically sped across town in high traffic.

  But boy, did I feel like my life was spiraling out of control, and I hadn’t even gotten reamed out by my boss yet. What a day! And it’s barely one o’clock!

  Clearing my throat and sniffing through the headache that clogged my sinuses, I threw back my shoulders and headed to the back offices. The kitchens were already in full swing, pots and pans banging around, the chef yelling out orders. Dodging other waitresses that shot me sympathetic looks, I struggled not to scowl as I prepared myself for the shit-storm that was about to unfold.

  “You’d think a manager that works us so hard would have good work ethic himself. Damn.” Sucking on my bottom lip hard, I stopped in front of the ominous, thin door and lifted my hand to knock firmly. Benny grunted in acknowledgement, and I popped open the barrier just as he paused whatever news broadcast he’d been sucked into. He glanced at me, disgust and irritation flickering in his brown eyes, and I snatched my timecard off his desk before he could wag it in my face.

  “You’re late, Madeline.” I ground my teeth as I clocked in, my gaze finding the clock above the machine bolted to the wall.

  “I’m 16 minutes late, and I apologize. I’ll make it up. My babysitter had an emergency, and I had to find a new one.” Benny didn’t care about my excuse, of course, or the fact that I pulled doubles for weeks in a row. “I’m pulling a double today, okay? So 16 minutes shouldn’t be a problem.”

  “You’re late all the damn time, Madeline, and you’re lucky I never write you up over it.” Exasperation sharpened his tone, and I clenched my jaw so hard my gums ached. “If you’re late again, I’m going to start doing just that. Other people that work here have kids, too. You’re not special. If you can’t handle it, maybe you need to find another job.”

  “... I won’t be late anymore, but if an emergency comes up, I’ll be sure to call you first, Benny.” My already dismal mood dropped a few notches as I set my timecard on his desk, and Benny snorted at my back on my way out.

  “You better fix your attitude before 6pm, Madeline. We have an extremely important business meeting going on in one of the party rooms, and I don’t trust anyone else to serve them. It’d be a huge deal if we impressed these people.” My blood boiled at that, and I shut the door as lightly as I could, only to stomp my heel on the concrete flooring on the way out.

  “I don’t trust anyone else— yeah, right. You just threatened me, you lying jerk.” Kicking my heel one more time, I stomped down the hall as I mocked my boss under my breath. Benny was the kind of guy to be an absolute asshole without doing anything illegal. I wasn’t the only staff he picked on, but inarguably, he went harder on the waitresses than the cooking staff. “No wonder turnover here is so bad.”

  “Benny’s in a great mood today, Madds. You picked a good day to be late.” Taking a few minutes to hide behind the hostess podium, I glanced over the restaurant as Savannah sidled up next to me. Her gorgeous, red hair pulled back in a low bun, freckles brightening as she smiled. Just seeing her lifted my spirits, and I leaned into her hug before she spoke up again. “We’re supposedly getting a huge investment guy that’s uber rich and wants to build here. Benny’s talked non-stop about it all prep time. Did he tell you about it?”

  “Yeah, he threatened to fire me for being late, then told me he didn’t trust anyone else to serve these people. I don’t know how that makes sense to him. I work more than anyone else here just in hours. The last thing I want is the pressure of serving His Highness. Especially because chances are good they won’t tip. At least it’s not really busy, yet.”

  “I purposefully didn’t sit anyone in your section. I know you’re never late, and if you are, it’s not your fault. What happened?” Groaning softly, I sat down on the stool behind the podium and grabbed a bucket of silverware just to pretend I was busy.

  “My babysitter’s dog ate a bunch of LEGOs, I guess, so she had to take him to the vet. I’m not gonna be all like, ‘hey, but what about my brother and sister,’ you know? So, I had to ask my neighbor to basically keep her ear to the wall. I mean, Sophia and Michael are old enough to be by themselves, but not by themselves...especially because I won’t be home until tomorrow. And that’s if I’m lucky.” At least Savannah was on my side; contrary to Benny’s blathering, I’d only been late four times in the eight years I’ve worked here. The House on the Pier really was pretty famous, especially during the summer and crab season, and I wanted to be a reliable person. “It’s okay. Michael is going to text me every half hour. I made him set an alarm on the way home from school. Benny’s probably not gonna come out of his office too often, anyway, so a quick peek at my phone will be fine.”

  “You know, I still think we should move in together. It’s not a bad idea.” Rolling silverware as Savannah turned to me, I puffed out my lips thoughtfully. “We’ve been best friends since second grade. I know your parents skipping out after what happened derailed you a lot, but we’re only 24. We’ve got time to get you back on track.”

  “Honestly, Savannah, I don’t think college is on the table for me anymore. At least not for a long time.” Setting my finished set in a separate bin,
I frowned up at my friend as her brightness started to fade. Savannah was always happy, always optimistic, and I felt like a leech the way I sucked it all up and essentially used her. “Things are different, now. I don’t want to, but I’ll put my life aside. It’s not like Michael and Sophia are little kids. It won’t be forever. Besides, I don’t know how much of you I can take. Working and living together might be too much.”

  “I’ll always be open to the idea, so if you ever need me for anything, I’ll be here. Good comes back to people; I firmly believe that. And you’re the goodest gooder of them all.” My lips quirked up at that, my heart squeezing almost painfully at the absolute conviction in her tone. Savannah patted my crown, and I gulped down the dense lump in my throat. Blinking back the sting in my eyes, I rolled silverware robotically as my mind turned to all those plans we had together.

  We were going to attend the same college here in Rhode Island, and after the struggle, we’d start a business. We didn’t know what kind of business, but life was a journey! It was a fun journey.

  All good things had to come to an end, though. And, like most petulant young adults, I blamed my parents entirely for fucking up my life. Except...it was entirely my parents’ fault.

  “I don’t think I’m doing too bad considering the circumstances. Once the season is over, it’ll get rough, but I should have enough saved to be okay. As long as Benny doesn’t try to stick it to me over 16 minutes.” Savannah sniggered a little at my comment, and I set down a rolled set of silverware to elbow her thigh gently. “Seriously, if he thinks 16 minutes is a long time, I feel bad for his wife.”

  “For real.” She stepped out from behind the podium to seat a few customers, and I frowned as I continued rolling. The motions required no thought anymore.

  I may have inherited my parents’ problems, but I wasn’t going to just wallow in my misery. My sister was nine years old, and my brother was 12. They were old enough to give me just enough freedom not to feel trapped. So what if I had a bit of a tough time? I was an adult! I could handle it!

  I spent the past year and a half completely retraining the trajectory of my life, and I wasn’t going to lay down and cry. Damnit, I only needed to make it six or seven more years, and it’d get easier and easier.

  Once my siblings were in high school, I could start focusing a little more on myself. And also getting a job with health insurance because everyone needs some therapy.

  “Hey, you’re up, Madeline.” Tapping my shoulder, Savannah took my spot on the stool when I popped up, and I shook my head wildly to clear my thoughts. “Enjoy the quiet while it lasts. It’s almost one o’clock. It’s about to get real busy here.”

  “Yeah. Hey, Savannah— thanks for stickin’ with me.” Smiling broadly, Savannah started rolling silverware, and I stepped out from behind the booth to pull out my pad and pen. Putting on my best customer service smile, I took a stabilizing breath and cleared my mind. Waitressing was an incredibly taxing job, but at the same time...it was insanely droning. And I would be working at least 12 hours, with only one half-hour break to eat between shifts.

  “Because I got 16 minutes to make up.” Squeaking to myself, I scrunched up my nose briefly before heading across the restaurant to my section. “At least I can count on Savannah making these doubles bearable...until 4:30.”

  2

  Madeline

  “Yeah— yeah, I’m grabbing it right now, but—” Pausing my pleading to balance a plate of steaming, lemony seafood on my serving platter, I cast a hard glare at Benny. “I haven’t had my break yet. I’m going on five and a half hours, okay? Don’t be that manager that drives his employees to call the labor board, because I will.”

  “Just get back here as fast as you can. Two other people will handle your section. It’s already been agreed on.” Benny dismissed me like I was trash blowing on the side of the freeway, but I was too busy to be angry. “Oh, and don’t forget to redo your hair and makeup on your way to my office.”

  My eyelid twitched in irritation, but my hands were full and my face was hot from the plates and food steaming up to cloud my vision. The stench of lemon and saffron threatened to make me sneeze, and I very carefully rushed out to my table on the deck overlooking the beach. Putting on a smile, I grabbed the pop-up stabilizer for the platter, and Savannah appeared behind me out of thin air. She shot me a look I knew all too well— Benny had her serving outside, just a huge ‘fuck you’ to her mild allergies.

  “Alright, this is Savannah, my assistant. If you need anything, feel free to flag her down if you can’t find me.” The table was nice, and I loved Savannah, but even I could hear the faint edge in my voice. Nodding when the four-top had all the right plates, I headed back inside on achy legs. My feet throbbed with every step I took, and a headache pounded, pressing against my eye sockets.

  Each breath I took made my stomach rumble and threaten to curl inside out with hunger, but no-o...I couldn’t take a break. It was too late now. Now, I had to serve Mr. Royal Party Room because I was the only competent server in a two-star Michelin restaurant.

  “Jeez. I really hope these people tip well. Otherwise, I may really have a breakdown.” Mumbling to myself in the safety of the employee bathroom, I pulled my bun out and shook out my hair. Pulling out a little makeup bag from my apron, I yanked a comb through my mahogany locks and tied it up a little fancier this time. Wiping off my light makeup quickly, I took an extra thirty seconds to wash my face and take deep, calming breaths.

  Very carefully applying new eyeliner, I nodded to myself; I could clean up better, but either way, Benny would be upset. Blinking lightly, I gave myself exactly three seconds of vanity. I loved wearing makeup though never had an excuse to do so but to go to work. And, by hour seven, it was usually running in my eyes, so I had to wipe it off.

  “Besides, it’s either not look pretty enough for Benny’s cheap taste...or be late so I am pretty enough for cheap taste.” I nodded at myself in satisfaction as my murmur flooded every crevice of the small bathroom. “Cheap enough.”

  Heading down to Benny’s office just as he was coming out, my skin crawled at the onceover he cast me. I knew he expected me to look like I hadn’t just worked five straight hours, but I’d done the best I could in less than a minute. Grumpiness marred his features as he gestured me to follow him back towards the bar, and I held my breath in anticipation.

  Here it comes. Sliding behind the bar and just inside the kitchen, out of sight of customers but definitely not out of hearing range, I braced myself when Benny turned to me. Anxiety roiled in his eyes, and the lines around his mouth deepened even as he opened up to spew verbal sewage.

  “You cannot fuck this up, Madeline. Okay— these people are extremely important, and if you make this in any way an unpleasant experience for them, I’ll fire you on—the—spot.” Surprise rose my brows, and even the bartender paused when he heard Benny threaten me outright. He’d never done so before, simply making snide comments, and he pointed his finger in my face with a hard glare. “They’re looking to build a hotel here right across the street, so we’re in a position to get a huge bump in business. I’ll be watching you like a hawk.”

  “...Cool. I want a two-dollar raise.” Chirping up daringly, I almost cackled at the stunned look on Benny’s weathered face. “And I want to sit down until they get here without you looking at me like I’ve betrayed you and your whole family.”

  “You’re not getting a raise, damnit!” Arching a brow quizzically as Benny wagged his finger in my face and backed it up with a shout, I rocked back on my heels. I may need this job, but I wasn’t a pushover, and he glanced out nervously towards the bar. A few patrons were sending him weary glances, and I crossed my arm under my bust to sigh.

  “You just threatened to fire me, but you won’t offer positive incentive to do a great job? You know what that makes you, Benny? A bad negotiator. That’s fine. If you’re so eager to fire me, I can just quit, and then you’d have no one you ‘trust’ to serve the party room.”
Rolling my wrist exaggeratedly, I frowned at my boss as he shook with a mix of anxiety and rage. His face turned tomato red, and Benny slowly lowered his shaking finger as he shot me the meanest glare possible.

  “One dollar. Go sit. Don’t fuck this up, Madeline.” Relief tingled the bridge of my nose as I bopped my head in a nod, and I left Benny at the mouth of the kitchen with a pep in my step. Steve, the bartender, cast me a wild glare as I took up a bench and rested my feet, but even then, my hands had to move. Grabbing a glass and some ice, I poured myself some water and sipped like I was the goddamned Queen of England.

  “Yo, I can’t believe you said that, Madds.” Steve chuckled a little at the disbelief in his voice, and I flexed my feet in my sneakers. I was beat, but the rush of getting one up on Benny felt beyond invigorating. “Good job. I know it’ll come back to bite you, though.”

  “It doesn’t matter. As long as Benny’s in the hot seat right now, I’m satisfied. He treats us like crap...” Muttering to myself more than Steve, I blinked hard as I held my glass to my neck and face. Hiding behind the bar, no customers could see me, and I closed my eyes to savor the moment off my pained feet. “How can he threaten me with being fired and then act all surprised when I offer to quit?”

  “Because people like him think they’re so pushy and aggressive that you’ll just roll over and do what he says.” Flopping my head back, I grunted lowly in agreement, and Steve shuffled around me to hand someone a beer. Gripping the edge of the bar, he ducked down to grin at me, and my own lips quirked up. “You’ve worked here since you were sixteen, Madeline. There’s absolutely no way Benny could get rid of you. He needs you, and you could get a new job tomorrow if he fired you tonight. Although this one inarguably would pay the most.”