It's the only words I can think to say.
"Were you even slightly tempted? To say, Tomas, I have some news, the bastard is you—"
"I was," I confess, and now I'm laughing again too.
She absolutely loses it again.
"This is the funniest thing that has ever happened," Anna says, recovering. "You have to tell them. Not just because of the baby. Because I need you to see their faces and call me immediately after."
"That is not a good enough reason to blow up my life."
"It is an excellent reason," she says. "Jennifer. Come to Cedar Ridge."
"Anna—"
"As soon as the storm passes, just do it. Okay."
"Yes," I say.
There's a knock at the door.
"Hold on," I tell Anna.
I open it expecting Tomas or Santos or some fresh development in the ongoing series of developments that is apparently my life.
Carmen.
She's holding a tray with tea and the good bread and the honey and the fruit she has apparently noticed I reach for first.
"I didn't mean to eavesdrop but I did hear some of the conversation," she says. "The door isn't thick. I'm sorry."
"How much did you hear?" I ask.
"Enough," she says.
I tell Anna I'll call her back later and hang up.
"I'm not sure about that. With the storm the lines will probably go dead soon," Carmen says.
Great.
Carmen comes in, sets the tray on the dresser, and turns to look at me with the direct gaze of someone who has decided exactly what she is going to say and is saying all of it.
"I've worked for them for years," she says. "I want you to know something. I have never, not once, in five years, seen them behave like this. Not for a deal, not for a delegation, not for anyone." She pauses. "They are moping. Three billionaires, moping around this island like dogs who lost their favorite toy. I do not use that word lightly."
I sit on the edge of the bed. "It might be Chiara. She's here now. They have history."
She straightens up. "No. She used to come here sometimes, but there would be drama and she would leave. Before today I haven't seen that omega in years." She picks up the empty glass from the nightstand.
So Chiara is lying, and they were telling the truth, that she isn't their omega. I didn't give them a chance to explain, because of our history they don't have the best reputation, but then as Anna said, maybe that is changing.
"Thank you, Carmen," I whisper. For everything, but the words don't leave my mouth as a lump forms in my throat.
She heads toward the door, leaving me speechless.
The door closes.
I sit there with my thoughts, not wanting to speak to Anna just yet. If the lines do go down then I know I need to speak toher again tonight. Right now I'll eat something and get my head together. I need to tell them, but tonight I'll just get through this pre-heat, because I still feel a little weak, and get my head straight.