Spencer
One week later
It was already after six when I made my way across the parking lot to my car. I shoved my laptop bag and the pile of reports I still needed to go over in the back seat and climbed in, starting the engine. I was about to back out of the spot when my phone vibrated. I pulled it from my breast pocket to see that my brother Max had texted. Instead of responding, I dialed his number and waited while his voice came over the line.
“You got my email?” Max questioned.
“I did. Haven’t looked at the attachment yet. I’m just on my way home.”
“Gotcha. Well, first I’d like to say that I’m sorry I couldn’t make it to the engagement thing. You know how it is.”
I let out a breath. “No, Max, I don’t know how it is.”
“Well, you know, things just sort of crept up.” He chuckled.
I frowned. “Things sort of crept up?” I repeated. “Let me guess, a woman?”
I knew my brother well—too well, to be honest.
“Yeah, and the situation, it was, shall we say, unavoidable? Besides, it was only an engagement party. It’s not like it was an enormous deal, like the wedding.”
This was Max. However, it was a big deal. It was a big deal to both Ainsley and me. I cleared my throat and thought a moment before speaking. “Max, you know, the least you could do is show a little support. Especially since I just handed you an enormous opportunity, basically on a silver platter. I gave you the reins to oversee the Denver office, when it should have gone to one of my senior executives working right under me. I pride myself on promoting and hiring from within first. Instead, I somehow took pity on my brother, who’s fucked up more than the average person, only to have him spit in my face.”
“Come on, , I didn’t spit in your face.” Max huffed.
“Whatever, Max. You didn’t even send back the RSVP.” I didn’t really have the energy to deal with this phone call right now. I was tired and hungry and still had a few hours of work to complete before the meeting tomorrow morning. “Listen, I’ll call you in the morning. Be prepared to go over all your opening numbers tomorrow on the call.”
“Tomorrow?” Max questioned.
I was silent for a moment as I stopped at the traffic light. I ran my hand over my face. “Yes, Max, tomorrow’s meeting. Nine, does it sound familiar?”
“Yeah, yep, I’ll talk to you then.”
I hung up the phone and turned up the radio just as my phone rang again.
“Hey, !” Nick’s voice came over the line.
“Hey, Nick! Any news?”
“They accepted the offer. We set the closing date as you asked. I also have a few appointments lined up to show your place. Honestly, it should sell fast. I’ve had lots of interest so far.”
“Perfect, thanks, Nick. Whatever needs to be signed, just fax it to my home office. Also, can you send me the dates you need to show our place? I want to make sure we have everything in place.”
“Can do. Talk to you soon.”
I hopped on the highway, turned the radio up, and made my way home. Twenty minutes later, I pulled into our driveway, gathered my items from the back seat, and headed to the door. I’d just slid my key in the lock and opened the door to be greeted by Carly walking behind Nikki.
“Daddy!” Nikki cried.
“Shhh… Ainsley is sleeping, remember?” Carly whispered. “Take your crayons and colouring book into the kitchen.”
Nikki looked at me and then hung her head and stomped into the kitchen. “Why is Ainsley asleep?” I asked, dropping my stuff inside the door, and heading up the stairs, glancing in the living room to see Ainsley sound asleep under a blanket on the couch.
“She just passed out on the couch. We were sitting talking about the baby shower. I was telling her I’d mailed out all the invitations, and when I looked over, she was out.” Carly shrugged.
“Is she all right?” I asked, taking another look at Ainsley. “Baby shower?” I questioned when I realized what she’d said.
“Yes, baby shower. I planned one for her.”
“I see,” I said, looking at Ainsley. “Don’t you think it’s a little early to be inviting people to a baby shower?”
“God, you sound just like Ainsley.” Carly shrugged.
“Yes, we haven’t even seen the OB/GYN yet, and besides, we aren’t even married yet!”
“Yes, but we aren’t having the baby shower until July, and I wanted to make sure people save the date.”
I rolled my eyes. “Who did you invite?”
“Don’t worry. I will tell you who I didn’t invite, and that is Ainsley’s father and Jane.”
“For the love of God.” I breathed under my breath, praying that she was only joking with me now. “I’m concerned,” I said.
“Why?”
“It’s not like her to sleep in the middle of the day. Was she feeling okay?”
“She was feeling fine when we returned today. However, if you wake her, I will hurt you. Got it, Big Guy? She probably just needs some rest.”
“Yeah, I got it, but is she okay?” I questioned again, worried that perhaps something happened today to make her not feel well. I knew that her and Ainsley were going to the bridal shop again for sizing and to pick out a bridesmaid dress for Carly. Maybe it was all the baby shower talk, or that Carly had apparently sent out invites. Then there was the thought that perhaps she had run into Brittany again.
“My God, what do you mean is she okay? You knocked her up! She may be twenty, but it seems your baby is sucking the life out of my best friend. Also, be forewarned, you may have ruined that body forever!”
I rolled my eyes and let out a sigh. “Yes, I knocked her up, fine. However, women give birth every day, Carly. Her body will not be ruined.”
Carly shrugged. “All I’m saying is I hope you aren’t too attached to it.”
“For the love of God, Carly. You do realize that I am in love with the person, not the body. The body is just a bonus. It’s not a requirement.”
“Huh?”
I looked at the shock on Carly’s face and smiled inwardly at myself. “Exactly what I said. The body is a bonus, not a requirement. I’m in love with Ainsley.”
Carly was quiet for a moment as she stared at me. “God… make me want to puke.”
I smirked to myself as she turned her back to me and slipped her feet into her shoes. “I’m going home now, before you begin growing on me. Can’t have that happening or the next thing I know I’ll be rooting for the pair of you.”
Just then, Nikki appeared in the kitchen doorway and attached herself to my leg. “That’s probably a good plan,” I said.
“Just don’t you wake her up. I’ll keep you guys updated as to the RSVPs for the baby shower.”
“Great.” I chuckled to myself as she pulled the door open. “Good night, Carly. See you soon.” As much as she annoyed me, she was growing on me. However, I was concerned with the slew of phone calls Ainsley may get once her friends began getting invites to a baby shower.
When the door clicked shut, I turned to Nikki. “She is crazy,” I said, crossing my eyes and sticking out my tongue. Nikki burst into a fit of giggles.
“What do you say you help me with dinner? We have a surprise for Ainsley,” I whispered.
“We do? What is it?” she whispered, her eyes growing wide.
“It’s a surprise for you too. Now come into the kitchen and we will quietly get things ready. Plus, you can help me put this up,” I said, producing a package containing a banner.
Nikki jumped up and down and then turned and ran into the kitchen while I followed behind her.