Is it weird that I can't stop checking up on Brett in the press? Now that I know Lacey is back on the scene I can't stop. I mean, this could be my baby's stepmom, so it's necessary, right?

Lacey Turner. Twenty four years of age. Cheerleader since high school. Pretty abysmal grades. It's like she's another Ashley.

The fan website that I stumbled across was more than helpful, showing me every picture that has ever been taken of the two of them, along with a synopsis;

Brett Winters and Lacey Turner publicly revealed their relationship in September 2025. After one and a half years together it was revealed they had split. In March 2028 they were pictured together once more at the Springtime Charity Gala, held by Winters' parents.

Sitting at my dresser after my shower I type their names into my search bar for the fifth time this week, holding my breath to see if anything new comes up. Since I saw him over a week and a half ago at the bar the media have only reported them as being together once, and that was when they were with a group of the football players. They weren't alone.

As the results load I feel my heart sink. It would appear that today is different. This morning Lacey and Brett were spotted together at Starbucks, laughing and joking as they enjoyed a coffee. The main picture causes my insides to clench together, her hand placed on his bicep as he grins down at her. What the hell?

Chucking my phone over onto my bed I curse out loud, wondering when I turned into a teenager again, stalking my crush.

He isn't even my crush, I'm not chasing after him. I need to stop googling him like a weirdo, it's up to him what and who he does in his spare time. Grow up Savannah!

Staring into the mirror and studying my appearance gives me a far different feeling from three and a half weeks ago when Brett stood behind me as I exploded in ecstasy.

I've noticed from pictures that Lacey has green eyes like mine. Her hair is darker, way longer than my own, making her features stand out. Brett always loved longer hair, and I can't help but feel resentful each time I see her glossy locks.

She's definitely thinner than me, her boobs bigger than even Becky's. I glance down at my own, hidden beneath a baggy red hoodie which is something she probably never does.

She always looks fucking sensational.

Aggressively grabbing onto my hair brush I pull the towel off of my head, letting my wet hair trail down my back. Running my brush through I grimace as I hit knot after knot. These split ends are doing me no favors, a trip to the hairdressers well overdue.

The sudden sound of a knock at the front door makes me curse. I'm not ready for my takeaway yet, having asked them to deliver it later. Oh well, I guess I can eat it early. If I get hungry later I'll just have to dive into our snack selection. I'm sure Becky won't mind.

Dropping my hairbrush onto the side I leave my room before walking over to the wooden door and grabbing onto it, pulling it open. My eyebrows furrow in curiosity at the grinning Alice who quickly reaches up and hands me two new bags of shopping.

"Again?" I mutter and she shrugs.

"Once again, these are definitely not from me." She smirks, "But you know, if anyone asks... they are." She rolls her eyes as I place the bags down, pulling a small tray of brownies out, my face lighting up with a smile.

"My brother makes you happy." Alice notes as she watches me.

"He's thoughtful." I correct, "It's nice of him. I won't deny that."

"If you guys started speaking again I wouldn't have to pretend anymore." She moans and I almost laugh.

"I wouldn't say you're doing a good job pretending at the moment Alice." 

"Fair point." She smirks. "What else is in there?"

"You don't know?"

"God no, he just hands them to me." She rolls her eyes, "He tells me to look but I can't be bothered."

"Some bubble bath." I smile and she raises an eyebrow, "Non alcoholic wine, more frozen yoghurt and sickness relief tea."

"Wow." Alice exclaims, "I'll be sure to tell him how disgusting that frozen yoghurt was so he stops buying it."

"Hey! This one is a different flavor, it might be nice!" I object and she grins.

"What are you waiting for?" She grins, "Throw us a spoon, let's get eating!"

"You're my kind of girl Alice Winters." I smirk, chucking a spoon across the side.

She stays for a few hours, both of us laughing constantly as we talk. I'm surprised I get on with her so well, the nine year age gap barely noticeable. She's had to mature early, grow well past her years due to her parents.

She advises me that she spends every Tuesday evening with her mother, Olivia having made sure to spend more time with her children over the last five years. She picks her up from school in the chauffeur driven car and they'll go out for dinner somewhere. Once Alice managed to convince them to go to McDonalds, Olivia's eyes wide with shock the entire time. What I wouldn't give to have seen that!

By the time Alice leaves I'm in a far better mood, and for the first time in three weeks I am happy that my child will be related to one member of the Winters family.

*~*~*

"So, the Summer Templates have been sent off?" I ask Lucy.

"Yesterday evening." She grins, "Milan confirmed they'd received them an hour ago."

"Thank God." I breathe out. "At least Eric can't yell at us about those!"

"Oh..." Lucy's eyes widen as she glances behind me. I grimace at her worried expression, before painting a smile on my face, knowing exactly what I'm going to find as soon as I turn around. Whirling around I grin at the sight of my disgruntled boss, his face like thunder.

"Eric." I say, no ounce of apology in my tone. It was the truth, I'm not going to say sorry. He always yells at us.

"Savannah." He replies, bluntly. "I was coming to ask you if you would mind going to greet the new client downstairs, but after hearing that comment I'm no longer asking. I'm ordering."

"Ordering?" I raise an eyebrow.

"Yes." He snaps, "Don't make me fire you!" Yeah, okay Eric. I'd like to see how you'd run this department without me.

"Eric..."

"Or Lucy." He continues, "Seeing as you were both talking about me."

"Sir!" Lucy's eyes widen in slight panic.

"Hold on! Lucy didn't say anything." I snap and he raises an eyebrow.

"I'd get down to the second floor Miss Hurst. There's a client waiting to be greeted." Eric smirks and I bite my tongue before I say something I regret.

"Fine." I relent between gritted teeth, before shooting him one of my award winning fake smiles and turning away, starting off towards the elevator.

How dare he threaten Lucy! Who does he think he is? I swear, as soon as I figure something out, I'm getting as far away from this company as possible!

Jabbing my finger on the button in the elevator I lean back against the wall, running my hand down my navy pantsuit to smooth the wrinkles away.

Once the elevator dings and the doors reopen I swiftly exit, making my way into the room with a large smile painted onto my face.

"Hello." I greet, glancing up at the back of the tall brunette.

"Hi!" She replies, turning to face me. I feel my breath stop for a moment, my face dropping slightly. Really? What is the obsession with these people using Tommy Ross? "Can I help you?" She asks, raising a perfectly shaped eyebrow at my expression.

"Oh, I'm just here to welcome you to Tommy Ross." 

"Thanks." Lacey dismisses, before turning back to look at herself in the mirror once more.

"What kind of an event are you going to?" I ask.

"A wedding." She grins, "One of my boyfriend's friends."

"Which one?" The question slips out before I can comprehend what I'm saying, my mind immediately running at a hundred miles per hour, attempting to figure out which one of Brett's friends are getting married.

"What?" She retorts, glancing me up and down.

"Which fabric do you like?" I point at the samples behind her in an attempt to save myself.

"Velvet." She replies quickly, turning back to the mirror once more.

"Interesting choice."

"I want it to be cream." Lacey smirks to herself.

"For a wedding?" I splutter slightly. Is she serious?

"Yeah." She grins, "I don't see the problem. It's not like it's white." She shrugs.

"No." I force myself to say, "It isn't."

"Can we make it long please?" She turns, directing her question to a stunned looking Lisa.

"Of course."

"Perfect."

"Well, let me know if you need anything." I shoot her a smile and she nods.

"Thanks..." She trails off, cocking her head as she scans me from head to toe. Wow, this girl doesn't even attempt to hide her bitchiness. If she's a relation of Ashley's I wouldn't be surprised.

"Savannah." I input and she raises an eyebrow.

"Savannah."

I nod before backing out of the room and cursing under my breath, practically flying towards the elevator in an attempt to escape. Falling into the elevator I press the button eight times before the doors shut and I lean my head back on the wall, shutting my eyes in frustration.

She's even more beautiful up close, the pictures not doing her any justice once you see that impeccable, flawless skin in person.

Lacey Turner? Really? Of all the designers she had to come here? My life truly is fantastic!

Exiting the elevator I make my way back into my office and shut the door behind me. Slouching down into my chair I bury my head in my hands, taking deep breaths as I try not to laugh at the ridiculousness of it all.

Why do these things keep happening to me? I now know, for a fact, that I do not like Lacey, and yet she's going to be helping to bring up my child. How do I stop this? Oh right Savannah, you can't! You let Brett go, told him to live his life, and this is how he's choosing to do it.

You have no say. You can't tell him to leave her, you can't tell him that you don't like Lacey, because this is who he has chosen to be by his side. He asked me but hey, I just shoved him away like I always do, straight into her arms.

It was the right thing to do, wasn't it?

Picking up my phone from my desk I quickly open up my messages and type one out, sending it to Brett before I lose my nerve. Hi. How are you?

He'll probably get that text, roll his eyes, and wonder why the hell I've sent it. He made it clear at my apartment, clear at the bar over a week ago and now I've decided to message him out of the blue with absolutely nothing to do with the baby.

A sudden buzz and text tone makes me jump and I quickly grab my phone, glancing down at the screen, startled by the fact that Brett has replied. Fine. You? The baby?

Both good thanks.

It only takes twenty seconds before his reply appears. Good.

Excellent. If that isn't proof that he doesn't want to speak with me, I don't know what is. Cursing out loud, I chuck my phone into my bag, deciding that I'm going to go home half hour early. Shoving my arms into the pockets of my brown coat I grimace as I think of my new relationship with my baby Daddy.

I did this to us, I know I did. He wanted to make us work, he wanted us to try as a couple. The accident is still in my mind, despite the fact that someone crashed into him, despite the fact that he was under the limit. Was he still in the wrong? I think so?

"Bye Lucy!" I call to her as I leave and she smiles, giving me a quick wave before I hurry to the elevator.

*~*~*

Shoving my bag down on the floor as soon as I shut the front door I head straight for the packet of chips in the cupboard, pulling them out and grabbing a handful. As I chomp on them I rifle through the mail that Becky has left me on the side, the various catalogues irrelevant, all heading straight for the recycling. My eyes fall onto a handwritten envelope and I frown, quickly flipping it over and pulling the letter out.

It's not a letter. Oh, no!

It's an invite. To a high school reunion.

"Well, shit!" I exclaim, slamming the paper down on the counter, unable to tear my eyes away from it. Becky isn't going to let me get away with this one.

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