Chapter Eighteen
Ailee
The phone buzzes a few more times, but I ignore it. There’s absolutely no need to read Mom’s texts—half will be making excuses for herself and half will blame me for not being more understanding. Not a single one will make me feel better.
My belly rumbles. I should probably eat something. Some food might improve my mood. At least I won’t suffer from low blood sugar.
Josh’s kitchen is fully stocked, which for some reason I find surprising. I toast an English muffin and munch on it with cream cheese and strawberry jam.
The discreet white panel next to one of the fridges beeps. I look at it, wondering what’s going on. This area probably doesn’t get door-to-door salespeople. Did I trigger the security system?
The full-color screen shows a couple of women.
“Ailee, we know you’re home!” Lareina says cheerily.
“Josh sent us. Can you let us in?” Fiona adds.
I blink. What are Ares’s and Bryce’s wives doing here?
I hit the open button on the monitor, curious about this visit. Did I forget to do something for them on Josh’s behalf? I remind him of all upcoming birthdays and any family-related celebrations, but can’t think of anything that’s happening at the moment.
The door unlocks, and they come in. Lareina is pretty, with unusual eyes—one blue and one green. A teal-and-purple dress with a loose skirt fits her slim frame, her stilettos silver. Her wavy blonde hair hangs down in a heavy mass, and she has the most beautiful smile.
Fiona, on the other hand, is in a white empire-waist top and stretchy blue pants, maximizing comfort.
Azure flip-flops slap the floor as she walks, a pink lacquer adorable on her toes.
Her mouth twitches awkwardly, like she wants to smile under her mop of red hair, but can’t quite make herself to do so.
Not sure why. Does she disapprove of the way Josh and I got “engaged”?
Lareina hugs me before I can say a word. “This is so exciting! I’m getting another sister!”
“Thanks…” It’s just a fake engagement, but I don’t have the heart to burst her bubble when she’s so excited.
“I was screaming when I saw the video. By the way, it didn’t do you justice. Bad lighting.”
“She’s right. The video made you look slightly green, but then, it also made your sister look like Shrek, so…” Fiona says.
I giggle, both at the imagery and the very idea that Katt could ever look like an ogre.
She covers her nose. “Sorry. Something smells a bit off in here.”
I stiffen with embarrassment. Is it the soot on my clothes?
“Not you,” she adds hurriedly. “Probably some food or something.”
“Just an English muffin,” I say, in case she thinks I ate something super gross in Josh’s home.
“No, it’s cream cheese. Ugh.” Fiona turns slightly pale. “I’ve developed this weird aversion to almost everything.”
Oh, shoot. I should’ve realized she might be experiencing nausea sooner. “Is there anything I can do to make you feel better?” I take her and Lareina to sit in the living room so they can be away from the kitchen.
Fiona shakes her head. “Sorry I’m being difficult.
Morning sickness is killing me. Anything except cornflakes, and my body’s like nope.
I can’t even smell coffee on Bryce without feeling like I’m about to heave.
He’s eating out for dinner and then brushing his teeth before coming home now.
” Her shoulders sag. “This isn’t what I thought would happen when I got pregnant.
I thought I’d be glowing, and he’d bring home all the delish things I was craving. ”
Lareina pats her shoulder. “It’ll pass. It’s still early.”
“Yeah, I read that as the hormones fluctuate, your condition can change with them,” I add in sympathy. “I’m pretty sure the glow doesn’t come until the second or third trimester.”
“I hope so.” Fiona smiles wanly. “Are you all right, though? I saw the news about the fire. How awful. Josh said you lost everything.”
“More or less. Except for my car, which I can’t drive until I get the fob replaced. Buuut—the bright side is that I’m healthy and unhurt.” I smile to let them know there’s no need to worry.
“So you only escaped with what you’re wearing?” Lareina gestures at my clothes, moving her hand up and down. “Like, literally?”
I nod. “I got lucky because a neighbor noticed the fire and knocked on my door. Otherwise, it could’ve been much worse.”
“Still, it’s horrible. What about things like photos with your family and friends?” Fiona asks.
The sincere warmth touches me. “Everything I want to keep is backed up in the cloud,” I say.
And there really wasn’t much except for some photos with friends.
My family and I never took a lot of pictures.
And the ones we did take were awkward, with me trying to act like I belonged in the shots while Mom and Dad had their arms around Katt.
I keep that to myself, though, since Fiona’s family situation is worse than mine.
It wasn’t long ago that gruesome articles about her criminally abusive brother were all over the place, leaving her no dignity or privacy.
“Do you want to head out and get some clothes and stuff?” Lareina asks. “We’d love to take you shopping, if that’s okay.”
I almost tear up at the unexpected offer.
The idea of having to replace everything has been just…
overwhelming. I hate making decisions about what to buy—because it has to be affordable and nice, since I have to look the part of a successful lawyer’s assistant.
If Max were in town, I would’ve asked her to shop with me.
But she won’t be back for several days, and I can’t continue to wear this shirt and boxers, especially sans bra.
I’ve never seen Lareina and Fiona dressed badly, so I’m sure they both have a fabulous sense of style. Still, I hesitate. “Okay, but…” I turn to Fiona. “Won’t you get tired? I don’t want to impose if you’d rather rest at home.”
She smiles. “I slept in this morning. And my doctor said it’s better to get out and about from time to time. Besides, I want to hear everything about your romance with Josh!”
Lareina nods eagerly.
My lips curve, although my brain runs ten thousand miles an hour to figure out what to say—because of course there isn’t any romance, unless they consider my unrequited love for Josh romantic.
I don’t want to disappoint the two or say something that could embarrass Josh, so I just maintain a smile and head out with them.
We get into a sleek black Cullinan. “Nice ride,” I say, admiring the beautiful leather interior.
“A pregnancy gift from Bryce.” Fiona grins as she starts the engine and pulls away from the mansion. “I told him I didn’t need one, but he said the baby deserves a car.” She rolls her eyes, but the corners of her mouth twitch.
“He’s looking for a reason to spoil you.” Lareina puts on a small mock pout. “Ares says I’m not allowed to drive until he buys me a tank.”
“Why?” I ask, surprised.
“I almost totaled the Mercedes he bought me.”
“Oh my God!” I gasp. “Are you okay? When was this?”
“Mid-April.”
“Is this the car Ares bought you for Valentine’s Day, even though Bryce told him to get you a beginner’s car?” Fiona asks.
Lareina nods.
“A beginner’s car?” I say. “What’s that?”
“You know, a sturdy but relatively cheap used car you don’t mind damaging a bit while you learn to drive,” Fiona says.
“Oh. But why would you need that?” I ask Lareina.
“I’m new to driving,” Lareina says. “My aunt and uncle were paranoid I might flee with my trust fund, so they never taught me.”
I nod, remembering the scandal. “They were arrested and thrown in jail, right?”
“Yes.” Lareina nods with a satisfied gleam in her eye. “Anyway, that’s why I started to learn so late. But a girl’s gotta be able to go to places—”
“In a tank,” Fiona says, winking at me.
“The accident totally wasn’t my fault! That brick wall just appeared out of nowhere in the dark. And I braked as soon as I saw it. Of course, Ares completely panicked, even though I was fine. Not a strand of my hair was damaged. But he acted like I’d died or something.”
“Mercs are well constructed,” Fiona says dryly. “But you have to give the man some leeway. He’s paranoid about your safety.”
I nod in agreement. Ares is always careful about the family’s wellbeing. It probably comes from being the eldest. And with Lareina, the woman he’s in love with, his protectiveness probably goes overboard.
“Are you siding with him?” Lareina says with mock outrage.
“Yes. Because I don’t want you hurt, either,” Fiona says.
“Well.” Lareina gives her a small smile. “I love you too, you know.”
A pang of longing pierces me. Lareina and Fiona interact like close sisters might. I wish I still had that with Katt, but she’s too cool for me now.
“So. Should we go for the works, Ailee?” Lareina asks, looking at me.
“Anything’s fine,” I say. “I’m going to need to replace almost everything. What do you have in mind?”
“Let’s hit Jun’s boutique. It has everything. Josephine took me there last month, and I loved it,” Fiona says, then turns to me. “That’s Josephine Blackwood, a personal shopper. She’s the best.”
“She really is.” Lareina sighs. “Sorry we couldn’t get her for you, but she’s booked solid for the next two months. She has the best eye for color and texture.”
“I’m sure you’ll be fabulous,” I say. “You’re a world-renowned artist.”
Her eyelashes flutter with a hint of shyness even as pride colors her cheeks. “Well, thanks. I hope you don’t regret saying that.”
We pull into a parking lot for a boxlike structure. I would’ve missed it if somebody told me to meet them here because nothing on the building indicates it’s a boutique. It actually looks more like a warehouse.
Fiona parks the car. I hesitate, now that we’re here. “Do you think I can go in like this?” I gesture at my outfit.
“They won’t mind,” Lareina says, looping her arm around mine. “You’re practically my sister-in-law.”
“Well, you know that, um, Josh and I haven’t really set a date yet.”
Fiona waves a hand. “Close enough.”