Mina
Mina
S he was playing with fire, and she was sure that she’d get burned. Bringing Ben with her to the hospital, to meet Carrie’s and Evan’s baby, wasn’t playing fair. She was doing it to make Eli jealous, and that was dirty of her to play things that low.
Ben knew what he was getting into. Hell, when she told him that about her “Not” a date with Eli, he was practically jumping at the bit to help her come up with a plan to make Eli jealous—if that was even possible. She hoped that Ben was right, and their plan would work, because if it didn’t, she’d be all out of ideas. Mina had even thought about quitting her job just so that he’d consider dating her since Eli was adamant about not dating other employees. There were no rules about employees dating each other at McTavish Industries, but for some reason, Eli was completely against it.
At the time, it felt as though her only option was to go with Ben’s plan to make him jealous, but seeing Eli day in and day out was making her antsy. She didn’t want to make him jealous—she wanted to make him admit that he had feelings for her. Ben was right about that. Every time she looked at Eli, she could see how he felt about her in his beautiful eyes. Of course, he’d look away or make a self-deprecating joke, as if he had been caught doing something that he shouldn’t be doing.
Eli walked out of the room, smiling from ear to ear until he spotted her and Ben. “Hi guys,” he said, trying for casual. “You here to see my nephew?”
“Yep,” Mina said, “I heard he’s as pretty as his mama,” she teased.
“Actually, he looks just like Evan, and well, me,” he countered.
“I’ll be the judge of that,” Mina insisted. “Are you coming back in?”
“I was going to make a coffee run. That will give you both some time to visit. It’s a bit crowded in there.” He looked Ben over and she instantly regretted bringing him along with her. But he had been going everywhere with her lately, to keep up the ruse that they were dating. Ben wrapped his arm around her as if staking his claim.
“Thanks,” Ben said, “Mina’s been going on about seeing the baby all day. Carrie called her last night when we were getting ready for bed, saying that she was having a few contractions and hoped that it was finally time. Mina couldn’t wait to come to visit today.” Eli’s eyes flared at the mention of them getting ready for bed. She didn’t miss his scowl either.
“Well, you both enjoy your visit. I’ll be back soon. Would either of you care for coffee?” he asked.
“I’m good,” Mina squeaked.
“None for me either,” Ben said. “Mina kept me up half the night and I’m hoping that we can get to bed earlier tonight. I’d actually like to sleep some tonight.” God, she was mortified as Ben pulled her against his body and kissed her cheek. She playfully swatted at his chest as Eli walked away from them and stepped onto the elevator.
“Don’t look back,” Ben said. As soon as the elevator doors closed, she full-on slapped Ben. “Hey,” he shouted.
“Don’t you hey me,” she said. “What the hell is wrong with you, Ben? I thought that we were only pretending to date right now. We never discussed pretending to have sex.”
“Right, but we’re two attractive people who would probably be having sex at this point. I mean, it has been a week,” he said.
She turned on him, pressing her finger into his chest. “I don’t have sex with men after only one week, Ben,” she spat.
“Well, that would have been good to know,” he teased, “but, it’s too late now. He thinks we’re having sex. Consider it a way to fast-track our breaking up. You won’t have to wait too much longer to get him to admit that he wants you. Did you see how pissed off he seemed when I mentioned that we were getting ready for bed?” Ben asked.
“I did,” she admitted, “but, that could be because you shared a personal story with him and he’s my boss, Ben. Have you forgotten that?” Mina asked.
“I have not,” he said. “Have you forgotten that we’re trying to make him jealous because, even though he’s your boss, you have admitted to me that you want him? I’m just speeding up the whole process.”
“Well, cut it out,” Mina insisted. “I don’t like seeing Eli like that.” She gently knocked on the door and was told to, “Come on in.” She pushed her way through the door to find Carrie nursing the baby and Evan sitting next to her.
“Should we come back?” Mina asked.
“Nope—you’ve seen my boobs before and well, Ben’s gay, so I don’t think that he’s interested in my boobs,” Carrie teased. Shit, she hadn’t thought about Carrie and Evan knowing that Ben was gay. They had hung out a lot when Carrie was single and now, their whole “Make Eli jealous,” scheme might be foiled by her other best friend and Eli’s brother. She’d just have to be sure to keep Eli and Ben apart when they were all together like this and suddenly, she was thankful that he had made a coffee run. The longer she could keep up the ruse, the better chance she had at convincing Eli to give her a shot.
“Yeah, if you could stop spreading that around, I’d appreciate it,” Ben said. “I have a little bet with Mina and I’ll lose if you keep telling everyone I’m gay.” He was always quick on his feet, and she smiled up at him as if trying to thank him for the quick cover.
“Bet?” Carrie asked. “What kind of bet?”
“It’s nothing, really,” Mina insisted. “I want to hold that baby.”
“Well, you are just in time to burp him. Do you know how to do that?” Carrie asked.
“I remember from my babysitting days,” Mina admitted. Carrie handed her the baby and she took him, loving the way that he snuggled into her arms. He smelled good and felt right there.
“He’s perfect,” Mina whispered to her friend.
Carrie swiped at her tears and nodded, “He is, isn’t he? Sorry, my hormones are crazy right now, but the nurses all assure me that it’s normal.”
“I wouldn’t know, but I’ll take your word for it,” Ben teased.
“Are you going to hold him too?” Mina asked.
“Not on your life,” Ben said. He even went as far as to take a step back from her as if not wanting to have the newborn thrust in his direction. “I’m not good with kids and they don’t seem to like me much either. Trust me, it’s best for both of us if that kid stays right where he is.”
“Aww—I had no idea that you were afraid of wee babes,” Carrie teased in her best Scottish lilt.
“I’m not afraid of them,” Ben insisted, “I just know my limitations.” Evan laughed and the baby started to cry. Mina tried to calm him but gave up and handed him back to Carrie.
“Sorry, Evan is working on his quiet laugh, but he hasn’t got it down yet,” Carrie teased.
“Not a problem.” Mina insisted. “I guess we should get going anyway.”
“I got the flowers you sent,” Carrie said, “thank you.”
“No problem. I might have also delivered a few things for the baby at your place,” she said. “I didn’t want to bring them here and have you two have to cart them home.”
“That’s so sweet of you,” Carrie said, calming her son.
“I’m sure that I’ll see you soon. Just call me when you’re up for a visit—no pressure though,” Mina insisted. She kissed her friend on the cheek and hugged Evan goodbye. “Oh, I almost forgot to ask—what’s his name?”
“We named him Jack, after my father. If it wasn’t for him sending me off here to live with my cousins, I would have never met Evan,” Carrie said.
“That’s sweet,” Ben said.
“Jack must be so pleased,” Mina said.
“He’s over the moon,” Evan admitted. “Now, we just need to get him to stop calling the kid, 'Little Jack’ so he doesn’t get a complex.”
Mina giggled and smiled back at the little family of three. “Nice to meet you, Jack,” she said back over her shoulder.
“Thanks for visiting,” Evan called as the door closed behind her.
“You good?” Ben asked.
“He’s beautiful,” she said, in her euphoric state.
“Yeah, he was cute—if you like babies,” Ben teased. She more than liked them, and now, she was sure that all she’d be able to do was daydream about having one of her own someday. If she could just convince the man she wanted to want her back, she’d be on her way to the family she was crazy enough to dream about.