Pregnant by My Ex-Boyfriend

Cassandra Bennett, 27 years old...

"Good morning, Cassie!" Jessica sang out from her desk, a bright yellow sunflower tucked behind her ear that matched her obnoxiously bright yellow dress.

Cassandra Bennett, aka Cassie, looked at Jessica and forced a smile. She couldn't help but wonder how anyone could be this cheerful at such an ungodly hour. She absentmindedly pushed a rebellious curl out of her face and let out a long-suffering sigh, already feeling the familiar throb of a tension headache creeping in.

Another day, another dollar.

"Hi, Jessica. How are you this morning?" Cassie asked.

Jessica beamed at Cassie, her bright red lips forming a wide smile. "I'm wonderful, thanks for asking!" she replied. "The birds are chirping so sweetly outside, and the sun is shining so bright, it's almost blinding." Her dark brown eyes sparkled as she looked up at Cassie, searching for any hint of appreciation for the beauty of the morning.

Oh, jeez...give me a break, Cassie thought, trying not to roll her eyes.

"Yeah, great, I love that for you," she said dryly, glancing at her desk. "Well, Jess, I would love to stand here and chat, but I have a deadline." With that, Cassie slowly turned around to walk toward her desk.

"Wait, Cass!"

Cassie stopped in her tracks. She usually didn't mind chatting with Jessica, but this morning, she woke up feeling cranky and just wanted to focus on work and get through the day.

"Yes, Jessica?" Cassie asked, forcing another smile.

Jessica sprang from her seat, almost bouncing on the spot in excitement, her ponytail swinging playfully from side to side. "You are not going to believe what happened to me this weekend!" she exclaimed, holding out her left hand for Cassie to see. "LOOK!"

On her ring finger was a diamond engagement ring. Cassie's eyes widened as she took in the sight of it. It was beautiful, breathtaking even, and she couldn't help but feel jealous. It seemed like everyone else was getting married these days except for her.

"Wow...congratulations!" Cassie finally managed to say, her voice cracking with surprise. She walked over to Jessica and admired the ring up close in all its glory. The diamond was huge - at least three carats easily and it caught the light every time Jessica moved her hand. She couldn't help but wonder how much it must have cost.

"I know, right?" Jessica cooed, beaming at Cassie as if she had just won the lottery. "Tommy proposed last night during dinner at that new French restaurant downtown." She sighed dramatically. "The food was sublime, the ambiance was heavenly, and he was down on one knee with candles flickering everywhere."

"Oh, really? Did he also hire violin players to play music in the background?" Cassie said sarcastically.

She would feel bad for being rude to Jessica, but Jessica didn't understand sarcasm, so what difference did it make?

"Oh, no. He must not have thought about it," Jessica replied, oblivious to Cassie's sarcasm as expected. "But still, he really went all out with the proposal. It was like something out of a movie."

Cassie smiled and nodded. She had met Tommy only once at last year's Christmas party. He was of average height and not bad to look at, but also a bit too cocky. But if he made Jessica happy, who was she to judge?

"So when's the big day?" Cassie asked, trying to sound genuinely happy for Jessica.

"We haven't set a date yet," Jessica replied, her face falling slightly. "I want a big wedding with all our family and friends, but Tommy is pushing for a small intimate ceremony."

Cassie nodded, still feeling eager to go back to her desk. "Well, I am very happy for you, Jessica."

"But what about you?" Jessica chirped.

Cassie furrowed her eyebrows. "What about me?"

"Are you seeing someone special? Come to think of it, I have never heard you talk about going on dates and you even came to the last Christmas party alone," Jessica said in a hushed tone.

Cassie groaned inwardly. Jessica was making it sound like it was a crime to come to parties alone or to not go out on dates.

She wasn't in the mood for discussing her love life, or lack thereof, especially with someone as relentlessly cheerful as Jessica.

"Oh, you know, just enjoying the single life," Cassie replied with a forced nonchalance. "No time for relationships when you're busy climbing the career ladder, right?"

Jessica's eyes widened with sympathy. "Oh, Cassie, you shouldn't let work consume your whole life. You need to find time for love and happiness too!"

Cassie sighed internally. Why did people always assume that being single meant you were unhappy? She liked her independence, and her job kept her plenty busy. Besides, her last disastrous relationship left a bitter taste in her mouth, and she would rather not repeat that same mistake.

"I appreciate the concern, Jess, but I'm perfectly content with where I am right now," Cassie said, trying to sound reassuring.

"Well, if you ever decide to dip your toes into the dating pool, I know some fantastic guys who would be perfect for you!" Jessica exclaimed, her enthusiasm undeterred.

Cassie mustered a half-smile. "Thanks, Jessica. I'll keep that in mind. But if you will please excuse me, I have to go back to work now."

Jessica nodded her head vigorously. "Sure, sure. We will talk about this more during lunch break."

Oh boy, Cassie could hardly wait.

Cassie settled into her desk and booted up her computer, glancing around the room. The agency had an open floor plan, all the better for collaboration, her boss claimed. But all it did was give Cassie a front row seat to all the office drama.

She shook her head and rifled through the files on her desk, looking for the mock-ups from the art department intern.

But she paused as she noticed a coffee cup on the corner of her desk. Still steaming. Her favorite lavender latte from the café down the street.

Cassie blinked at the cup, confusion flickering across her face. No note, no explanation. She glanced around the room again, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Shrugging, Cassie reached for the cup and took a sip.

"Mmm... that's what I'm talking about," she moaned as the warm, sugary liquid hit the back of her throat.

"I am glad you are enjoying it."

Cassie spun in her chair, scanning the room until her gaze landed on a tall, dark-haired figure in the corner. Their eyes met from across the room, a slow smile spreading on his face.

Mason Parker.

Cassie groaned, nearly dropping the coffee cup. This can't be happening. What the hell was her ex-boyfriend Mason doing in her office!?

Cassie took a deep breath and steeled herself, glancing up to find Mason sauntering over to her desk.

"I see you got my peace offering," he said, nodding at the coffee cup. His voice was as smooth and self-assured as ever. Some things never changed.

Cassie arched an eyebrow, feigning indifference. "What makes you think I want your peace offering?"

Mason winced, running a hand through his hair. "Touché. I know things ended...badly between us, but I was hoping we could get past that. For the good of the company at least." His eyes searched hers, a hint of vulnerability behind their usual charm. "We have to work together now, Cass. I'd like for it to not be completely awful."

"Work together?" Cassie repeated the words slowly.

"Yup. you are looking at the new creative director," Mason announced with a confident grin, as if expecting Cassie to welcome him with open arms.

Cassie's jaw dropped. The creative director position had been vacant for months, and she had been anticipating the arrival of someone new. She just never expected it to be Mason, her ex-boyfriend, the source of countless headaches and heartaches.

"Are you serious?" Cassie finally managed to say.

Mason nodded, still sporting that infuriatingly charming smile. "Dead serious. I know we had our issues, but I believe we can put the past behind us and create some amazing work together."

Cassie clenched her jaw, suppressing the urge to tell Mason exactly what she thought of his grand entrance. Instead, she forced a tight smile.

"Well, congratulations on the new role. Now, if you don't mind, I have work to do," she replied curtly.

Mason's smile faltered for a moment, but he quickly recovered. "Fair enough. Let's just try to make this work, Cassie. For the sake of the company."

Mason walked away, leaving Cassie to sit there, completely bewildered. Working with her ex-boyfriend was the last thing she needed, especially considering their complicated history. She took another sip of the lavender latte, now with a bitter aftertaste.

Cassie busied herself with work, determined to avoid Mason for the rest of the day. But in the small office, that was easier said than done.

She kept catching glimpses of him out of the corner of her eye, noticing little details that brought back memories she'd rather forget.

Like the way he ran his hand through his hair when he was thinking. How he would roll up his sleeves, revealing his tanned, muscular forearms. Even the scent of his cologne, something woodsy and masculine, drifted over to her desk, conjuring up images of tangled sheets and whispered promises.

Cassie shook her head, trying to shake off the unwelcome thoughts. She had decided to be civil, not to rekindle some doomed romance. Mason Parker was off-limits, no matter what her traitorous heart might say.

Cassie perked up as she saw the senior accountant, Leslie, walking toward her. Good...Leslie will distract her from thinking about Mason.

"Oooh boy, did you see the new guy?&quo