Eve was late for work, after having sex with Justin under the shower and a delicious breakfast he made for her afterwards. 

Jake was in his stroller, playing with a toy when she entered her office. Sarah was standing next to Mateo, talking to him about a project. Both stared at Eve, as she parked the stroller and put Jake outside. 

„What?“ She asked irritated. 

Mateo and Sarah crossed their arms at the same time, giving her eager looks. 

„Talk.“ Mateo demanded. 

Eve tried hard not to smile. She didn’t know what exactly they knew. But obviously they knew something. 

„I overslept.“

Mateo and Sarah looked at each other, raising their eyebrows, before giving their attention back to her. 

„Eve! Spill! What happened after the show!“ Sarah said. 

„What do you think happened after the show?“ She replied. 

Mateo sighed. 

„We know you talked to Justin. But as he disappeared without a trace short time later, there must happened something else.“ 

Eve bit her lips, still trying not to smile. 

„Talk Eve! Or I will turn into a violent person!“ Sarah threatened her. 

Eve kissed Jake’s little head and let him play at the floor. Then she sat down at her chair and started grinning all over her face. 

„Look, before I say anything, this is confidential. I don’t want any information leaving this room, understand?“ 

„Oh my god, she fucked him!!!“ Mateo squeaked, looking at Sarah. 

„Did you???“ Sarah asked, piercing Eve with her eyes. 

„It’s more than that…“

„MORE THEN THAT?!“ Sarah and Mateo said at the same time. 

Eve nodded. 

„Does it mean… you and him… are together now???“ Sarah stammered.

Eve nodded again. 

„I need a drink. I need a drink right now!!!“ Mateo said, processing hard. 

„Guys, We don’t wanna share the news with anyone at this point, okay? You need to promise to keep this to yourself.“

„Of course. But… why?“ Sarah asked.

„Do you have an idea what happens when the press finds out? This will be a giant scandal. I’m married to his best friend, having his kid. No one knows that Josh left me. And even if, the shitstorm would be massive anyway, as people would assume it happened because of Justin. That’s why we need to protect ourselves. Before we didn’t figure out how to deal with the new situation wisely, you need to keep quiet.“ 

Sarah and Mateo nodded. 

„Well, JT is another league. I understand you don’t wanna spread the news into the world right now. But when you do so, your life will never be the same again.“ Mateo said. 

„I’m aware of that. This is definitely NOT how I imagined my life. But that’s how things are now.“

Sarah rushed into Eve’s direction and hugged her close. 

„I’m abnormally happy for you!“ She cheered.  

„Thank you.“ 

Matty came to hug her, as well.

„There is no single doubt, that this gorgeous man deserves a chance. After all he did for you, he truly deserves you.“ 

Eve nodded, smiling all over her face again.

„Okay, as we clarified that… let’s talk about sex. Sarah said. 

Eve rolled her eyes. 

„You know exactly we will torture you, until you give us something.“ Mateo added. 

Eve started grinning naughty. 

„Both of us have been brutally sex-starved… so…“ 

„You banged him the whole damn night.“ Mateo finished her sentence. 

„Matty, it’s Monday.“

„Excuse me. Two whole damn nights.“ 

Again, Eve grinned. 

„It was good, right? I mean it’s Timberlake… no doubt he must be fucking good…“ Sarah said. 

„Yes. And now this conversation is over.“ 

„Beautiful, when are you home tonight?“ [007]

„Why you’re asking?“ [M]

„Just because…“ [007]

Eve returned home in the late afternoon, being surprised to see Justin in the kitchen making dinner. He didn’t tell her what he was planning for tonight.“

She smiled all over her face and he grinned back. 

„Did you spend the whole day here?“ She asked, parking Jake in his baby-seat at the floor. 

„Yes. I needed to catch up sleep very urgently.“ Justin explained.

Eve laughed. Then she placed a gentle kiss on his lips. He kissed her back, before giving his attention back to the food. 

„It smells delicious.“

„I tried a new recipe.“ 

Justin put potatoes at the stove and then hurried to Jake, who was waving with his arms and waiting to be put out of his seat.“ 

„Hi, tiger. Did you miss me?“ Justin said, putting Jake onto his arm.

Jake babbled happily. Justin kissed his head.

„My heart melts when I see you two together. You’re amazing with Jake. You always have been.“ Eve said, watching them interact. 

„I love him, M.“ 

„I can see that.“

Justin came closer and kissed her again. 

„Talking about kids… as you didn’t ask me to use a condom… does it mean you’re safe or did we had sex countless times without any protection?“  

Eve laughed again. 

„Do you really think I’m that naive?“ 

„Not really.“ 

„I got a new implant. My doctor took care for it after my last checkup.“ 

„Okay.“ 

„I think with three boys in total, there’s no need for further reproduction, right?“ 

Justin shrugged his shoulders. She stared at him with her eyes wide open.

„No. Forget it.“ She said. 

„I’m good with things as they are. But never say never.“ Justin replied. 

„Timberlake… last warning.“

„Don’t be a grinch, M.“ He teased. „You’re such a sweet mommy.“

„Still, this was not like I originally planned my life and you know it.“

„You didn’t plan falling for me, either. And here we are now.“ He said cockily.

„There won’t be further babies, Justin.“ 

He smiled and kissed her forehead. 

„Let’s wait and see.“ 

After having dinner, Justin brought Jake into bed, while Eve tidied up the kitchen. Then she waited for him at the sofa, with two glasses of wine. Justin joined her short after. They clinked glasses and took a sip. 

„Baby, there’s something I need to tell you. I didn’t want to talk about it during the weekend because I expected you being frustrated about it.“ 

Eve put her glass at the coffee table.

„I’m a little concerned now, to be honest.“ She replied. 

„There’s no reason being concerned.“

„Just tell me, Justin.“

„My official promo tour begins on Friday.“

Eve needed a moment to sort her mind. 

„How long will you be gone?“ 

„Six weeks.“ 

Eve stared at him, not knowing how to react. Then she started pouting. 

„This is not fair… we just came together…“

„You’re right. Believe me, when I knew how things between us would turn out, I would have planned things differently. But I can’t cancel it again. I need to do this now.“ 

Eve still pouted. She knew it was childish, but it was really deeply frustrating not having him around for so long. 

Justin put his glass at the table as well and smiled at her. Then he cupped her face with both hands and kissed the tip of her nose. 

„It’s brutally adorable that this is bothering you so much.“ 

Eve rolled her eyes.

„Baby, if this is a serious problem, then come with me.“

„What?“ 

„I would love heaving you and Jake with me. I really mean it.“

„This is insane, Justin. People would ask questions.“

„I don’t care.“ 

„But we decided flying under the radar, until we have a plan how to deal with the public world.“ 

„I know we did. But there is no perfect timing for our coming out, M. No matter how well we plan all of that, there will be negative publicity anyway.“ 

Eve sighed again.

„Look, I really appreciate your offer.  But I don’t feel ready for this. Besides, I can’t leave Mateo alone for so long.“

„Okay, I understand. But if you change your mind, be sure I’ll send the jet to pick you up.“

Eve smiled calmly and nodded. Then she kissed him softly.

„What about Lucy’s and Joey’s wedding? It’s in four weeks.“ 

„Don’t worry. I’ll have that weekend off and come to Orlando.“ 

Eve smiled at him. 

„Now I’m looking forward to their big day just a little more…“