Chapter 16 #2
He quirks a brow. “After all, you’re the one in charge of this event.”
I tilt my head in acknowledgement. I am, aren’t I?
“I’ll let you know.” My eyes wander to the bank of clocks he has on the wall, showing the different time zones around the world. The setup reminds me of my brother Gabe’s office. “Kick-off is in about an hour.”
“I’ll be there,” he says.
I get up and turn to leave, my pulse suddenly racing.
“How are you going to get Callie downstairs?” he asks, surprising me.
“I was going to help her carry her belongings out of the building at five. David is coming to collect her. I invited him too,” I say, wondering if that was the wrong thing, but knowing they’re friends. “If you want to say your goodbyes or assist…”
His smile touches his mouth, and goose bumps spring up all over my body.
“Yes, I’ll help. I want to see Callie’s face when she realises what you’ve done, and that David knew.”
I wrinkle my brow. “Why? Is she going to be annoyed?” I ask, suddenly wondering if I’ve been set up.
His grin widens, transforming his already handsome face into something mesmerising.
“Callie hates surprises, especially the ones she’s out of the loop on, but she’s organised enough events herself to realise she’s not getting away without some form of a send-off.”
“Phew, you had me going there for a moment.”
Callie is one of the few people I’ve got to know since arriving in New York. She’s also the last person I want to piss off.
I glance at the clock again. “See you in about fifty minutes.”
When I make it back to my desk, Callie is busy packing her final belongings into a box. She looks up, her eyes glistening.
“Hey,” I say, coming up and wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “It’s not forever unless you choose to make it so,” I say.
“I know, I’m being stupid and emotional.”
I smile, giving her a squeeze before letting her go. “At least you can nest in peace, without having to worry about the time or deadlines. Isn’t that what pregnant women do?”
“True,” she says. “But I’m not sure how I’m going to keep myself busy. Twelve weeks seems like forever.”
I think back to Leah when she was pregnant. She worked from home right up until she went into labour. Luckily for her, Gabriel came home early that day.
“I’m sure you’ll find something to do. If not, you can always come back and have lunch with me,” I say, before realising how presumptuous it sounds.
Callie’s face brightens. “Really? I’d love that,” she says before I can revoke the invite. “Maybe next week?”
I chuckle. “I’m game if you are,” I say. “I’ll probably need some additional advice on dealing with his highness in there.”
“You’ll have him eating out of your hand in no time. Just stand your ground.”
Something in my expression must give me away.
“Honestly, you’ve got this.”
* * *
Alessandro appears at his office door right on time.
“Ready?” he asks, hoisting Callie’s box into his arms.
She’s spent the last half an hour talking with him.
She bites her lip and nods, clearly not trusting her voice.
“There you are.”
A dashing man with blond hair steps forward and takes her into his arms. She crumples against him. He closes his eyes and breathes her in. This must be David.
He looks up. “Hey, Alex.”
“David,” Alex says with a smile, watching them both. “Just in time.”
“You must be Brooke,” David says, slipping one arm from around his wife and holding it out towards me.
Callie pulls back, wiping her cheeks with the tissue in her hand. “This is Brooke,” she says, repeating his statement.
“I’m pleased to meet you,” I say, shaking his outstretched hand.
“Ah, I forgot Callie said you’re a Brit. How are you finding New York?”
“I’ve not had a chance to see much yet but…”
“Don’t let this workaholic keep you chained to the desk,” he says.
“I’m not that bad,” Alex replies, earning himself some coughs and splutters.
“Really?” Callie adds, placing her hands on her hips.
Alessandro grins. “Well, not your problem anymore. No more dealing with my grumpy arse every day. Just think of that.”
She chuckles and throws herself at him. He sets the box on the table and catches her. The affection between them is clear.
David chuckles.
“Yes, but I’m going to miss your grumpy arse,” she says, mimicking his British accent. “You better come around for dinner. I need to know all the gossip.”
He gives her another hug. “Of course. I’ll need to check on my godchild. That’s the only reason I’m letting you go. You know that, right?”
“What? Not because my husband threatened to revoke your being godfather?”
He winks at her, and I feel like an intruder as I realise I’m witnessing a very different side to Alessandro, one only a few people are privy to. This is what he’s like with the people he cares about.
My chest constricts at the easy affection between the three of them.
He gives her one last hug. “Come on, let’s get you out of here.”
Callie wipes her eyes before turning to hug me. I squeeze her back.
“I’m going to miss you,” I say, feeling my own throat tighten.
“Me too,” Callie says. “Lunch next week, it’s a date.”
When we let go of one another, I catch the look Alessandro shoots the two of us and I notice that he’s holding her box again.
“Come on,” he says gruffly.
* * *
We make our way into the elevator. Alessandro positions himself in front of the control panel, with David and Callie in the middle, while I hide quietly at the back. They’re talking about items she’s going to buy for the baby.
Before I know it, the door is opening.
A loud chorus of ‘Surprise!’ erupts, and Callie spins towards the door, her hand flying to her mouth.
“You didn’t,” she says, her eyes flying between the three of us. “Alex…”
He shakes his head, inclining it towards me. “This is all Brooke,” he says, his eyes meeting mine over her head, twinkling with mischief.
“Brooke?” she says, turning to face me.
David leans forward and hits the button, holding the doors open.
“You didn’t think you were going to get to leave without saying goodbye to everyone, did you?” I say, my voice catching.
She bites her lip and smiles. “I thought that’s what I’ve been doing all day.”
“That, beautiful lady, was simply the warm-up. Everyone is waiting for you.”
I squeeze her hand as Alessandro steps out, positioning himself in front of the door sensor to keep them from closing.
Callie steps out with David, her hands flying to her cheeks as another cheer goes up.
Alessandro nods for me to move out of the elevator and into the room. He follows behind, slapping David on the back as he passes.
He glances over at me.
“Over there,” I say, pointing to the stage and the tables where all Callie’s baby gifts are hiding.
He disappears into the crowd, heading in the direction of the stage.
“Wow, you pulled it off,” Sue says, appearing beside me. “Her face was a picture.”
I grin, my chest expanding. “I did, didn’t I?”
I look around and spot all the balloons and banners. Baby Shower, not birthday. Ralph made it back in time!
Molly appears at my side, handing me a glass of bubbles.
“I think you deserve this,” she says.
I accept the glass. “Thank you, Molly,” I say, taking a tiny sip.
There’s no way I’m drinking, lowering my guard and risking getting caught.
It’s tough enough being Brooke with a clear head, let alone an alcohol-fuelled one.
I’ll need my wits about me tonight, that’s for sure.
Cameras are already out, and people are busy taking photos and videos, capturing the moment ready to upload to their social media accounts.
Oh hell, was anyone videoing the elevator reveal?