Report

I scroll down to Nate's name and press send.

"Julianne," he sounds relieved and pissed at the same time.

"Hey, can you talk?"

"Yes, I'm at the hotel.  Where the fuck have you been?"

"Don't yell at me.  I'm at the hospital."

"What's wrong?  Are you hurt?" His voice is suddenly panicked and I feel like a shit.

"No," I respond, my voice calm now and soothing.  "Natalie's in labor, Nate.  I'm sorry I didn't call.  I got the call this morning at the office after I texted you, and I raced here to meet them, and I've been with her ever since.  It's been a long day.  Still no baby."

"Is she okay?" he asks.

"Yeah, she's doing great.  Luke is too, surprisingly.  It shouldn't be too much longer."

"You should have called." His voice is cold again, and I'm tired, and I do not need this right now.

"I already apologized."

"I've been worried. Also, what the fuck happened to the report I asked you to send me?"

"What are you talking about? I finished it and asked Jenny to send it for me because I forgot to hit send on the email before I ran out of the office.

She sent me a text and said that it was done." What the hell happened to my report?

"I got it, but it was half-assed done. That's not like you."

"That report was perfect, Nate. I don't know what the hell you're talking about." I run my hand through my hair in frustration.

"When I'm out here alone I need to be able to depend on you to do your job in the office, Julianne."

"You're not alone. Ask Carly to fix the fucking report, Nate. She should be earning her paycheck while she's with you." Now I'm just fucking pissed off.

There's silence on the other end of the line, and finally, Nate responds with a deceptively quiet, "What are you talking about? Carly isn't in New York."

"But you sent for her."

"Why would I do that?" his voice is raising and I take a deep breath.

"Clearly there's been a misunderstanding," I say as calmly as possible.

"Obviously."

"Look, Nate, I'm sorry.  I need to get back to Natalie.  I don't have time for you to get protective and bossy and needy on me today."

"That's what you think I'm doing?" He asks and I cringe at the hurt in his voice.

"That's exactly what you're doing."

"No, Julianne, I'm not being bossy or needy.  I have been worried about the woman I care about because I couldn't reach you today."  I've hurt his feelings.

"Nate," I sigh and rub my forehead.  "Maybe we should just talk when you get home."

"What are you saying?" His voice is hushed and nervous.

"I need to deal with this right now and you need to focus on the deal out there.  I'll be in the office tomorrow to help you from there, and I'll try to clean up the damn report mess and get it to you asap. We'll just talk about the rest of it when you get home.  I don't have time for this relationship bullshit right now."

"That's what we are to you, Julianne?  Bullshit?"

Fuck.  No!  This is all coming out wrong, and I need to get back to Natalie!

"I have to go."

"If that's the way you want it, fine, but know this, baby; you're only off the hook because I'm three thousand fucking miles away and can't get to you right now."