Chapter 10
CHAPTER TEN
Two weeks later . . .
“Here you are, Mrs. Davis.” Alex handed over the framed canvas wrapped in butcher paper to her newest customer. “I hope it brings you many years of enjoyment.”
Miriam Davis smiled with confidence and a spine so straight she appeared regal. “Oh, I have no doubt that it will. In fact, I’ve already chosen the perfect place for it on one of my sitting room walls.”
The painting was Alex’s newest creation. A custom job she’d done on request. It was a watercolor, its hues light and airy.
She’d created it with whispered strokes from every pastel on the pallet. A vintage, ornate frame the color of gold contrasted perfectly with the many colors.
“Here, Tom.” Mrs. Davis passed the painting to her younger—and stronger—driver. “This will be much safer in your hands than mine.”
“Yes, ma’am.” The man named Tom dipped his chin. “I’ll put it in the trunk for safe keeping.”
Mrs. Davis sent her trusted employee a smile. “Thank you, Tom.” To Alex, she asked, “Is there anything else you need from me, my dear?”
“I believe that’s it. Your account is squared away, so everything’s taken care of from my end. Though, I do hope you’ll consider returning to my gallery when it comes time for your next purchase.”
“Oh, don’t worry. I will.”
“Thanks again, Mrs. Davis. It’s been a pleasure.” She offered the wealthy woman her hand.
“The pleasure has been all mine. Have a wonderful afternoon, Alexandria.”
“You, too.” Alex stood a few feet away, watching as Tom and Mrs. Davis turned to leave.
On their way out, Mrs. Davis paused near a small accent table positioned by the door. “What a beautiful arrangement,” she commented on the large bouquet of flowers centered there.
Her gut tightened as she kept her smile steady. “It was a gift.”
“Casablanca lilies, pear blossoms, and peonies?” The woman’s thin brows arched with appreciation. “That’s quite a gift.”
“They were from . . . a friend,” she ultimately lied.
Gordan Crawford was not her friend. But despite her efforts to avoid him like the plague, he’d been relentless in his pursuit to professionally woo her.
The arrangement by the door was the latest of three she’d received. Each one bigger and more elaborate than the delivery that had come before it.
“Flowers like these?” Mrs. Davis eyed the arrangement before looking back at Alex. “Seems like someone who wants to be a whole lot more than just friends.”
With a slight glimmer in the well-meaning woman’s blue gaze, she dipped her narrow chin before walking out the door. Alex watched through the gallery windows as Tom carefully placed the painting in the trunk before opening the back passenger door for Mrs. Davis.
As soon as the car drove away, she returned to the table and carefully picked up the heavy vase. Her hands held the cool glass steady as she marched straight through the gallery to the back door.
Transferring the vase into the crook of one of her arms, she used the other to pull the knob before stepping outside.
Alex let the door shut behind her as she covered the few feet between her and the shared dumpster.
When she reached it, she unceremoniously let the arrangement fall inside with the rest of the trash.
There. Much better.
She smiled to herself as she made her way back inside and put her focus back on work. Alex thought about the commission check she’d received from Mrs. Davis,
Not a bad start to the week.
Her smile grew as she approached her desk, which was positioned in the gallery’s far corner, facing the business’s front door.
Glancing down, she studied the oversized monthly planner to see what she needed to do next.
A touch of pride and satisfaction ran through her as she grabbed her favorite pen and drew a blue line through Miriam Davis’ name.
With that job complete, Alex dropped the pen back in the cup with the others before moving on to the next project on her list. Minutes passed as she began a sample sketch for inspiration. Her focus was so homed in she didn’t realize someone had walked into the gallery until they began to speak.
“Ah, so you are alive.”
Alex looked up to see her sister looking back at her with a pointed stare. “Hey, Aves. What are you doing here?”
“Just making sure my only sister didn’t vanish into thin air. I wasn’t sure, since you haven’t returned any of my texts so far today.”
Her face twisted with regret. “Yeah, sorry about that. This morning was crazy busy, and I just spent about forty-five minutes making small talk with a very important customer, and I—”
“Relax, Al. I’m only teasing.” Her sister plopped down into one of the two white chairs facing the desk. “I figured work was keeping you busy, which is why I decided to come to you.”
Abandoning the sketch, Alex gave her sister her full attention. “Is everything okay?”
“Everything’s fine.” Avery’s sweet smile grew.
Alex studied her sister with an assessing gaze. “What’s going on, Aves? You’re wearing your I have a secret face.”
“Actually . . .” The other woman let the word drag. “There is something I wanted to tell you. And this works out even better, because now I can share the news in person.”
“There’s news?”
Avery’s pretty eyes sparkled. “So . . . we didn’t say anything to anyone, in case things didn’t go as planned. Especially since it’s been such a long time coming, but . . . it finally happened.”
“What happened?” Alex frowned before understanding fully sank in. “Wait.” Her heart kicked hard. “Do you mean it happened? As in . . . you’re pregnant?”
The adorably messy bun on top of her sister’s head bobbed as she gave a joyous nod. “I’m having a baby.”
“What?” Alex shot up from her chair and rounded the desk. “Ohmygosh!” she squealed. “Are you serious? You’re pregnant?” She pulled her sister in for a giant hug. “Like for real?”
“I took four tests, just to be sure.” Avery giggled against her chest. “Uh, sis . . . I love you, but . . . I’m having a little trouble . . . breathing.”
Dropping her hands, Alex took a generous step back. “Sorry. But oh, my gosh.” Her hands went to her cheeks. “This is incredible, Aves. I’m so happy for you both.”
“Thanks.” Her sister beamed. “We’re super excited, too.”
My baby sister is going to have a baby.
A rush of tears flooded Alex’s eyes, but she quickly swiped them away. “How far along are you?”
“I don’t know exactly. My first OB appointment isn’t for another week, but if my math is correct, I should be somewhere around six-and-a-half weeks.”
“I can’t believe this. How long have you known?”
“I took the tests the weekend you were in L.A. I almost slipped up and said something then, when you and I talked on the phone. But Garrett wanted us to wait out of an abundance of caution, and since I promised I’d keep it a secret . . .”
While Avery continued with her ramblings, Alex worked like hell not to react to the mention of her trip to L.A. It didn’t work, of course. Her wandering mind immediately went back to her night with Colt.
The hotel. The way he kissed. How they’d frantically torn off each other’s clothes.
She’d quietly left her hotel room the morning after, and every day since, Alex had fought the urge to remember. The days weren’t so bad. She’d become quite good at keeping herself occupied with work. The nights, however . . . those were a different beast altogether.
When Alex was home with nothing to do but think, that’s when the memories held their true strength. Her dreams were even worse, as her subconscious had decidedly turned against her by showing detailed replays of that night on a torturous loop.
Over and over, she was forced to relive every hot, pulsating moment. Every morning, she’d wake up filled with an aching need she couldn’t seem to ease.
There was only one person capable of accomplishing that feat. A man she desperately wanted to forget.
He’d already forgotten her, or at least that’s how it seemed. Colt hadn’t reached out once since that weekend, which left her both disappointed and relieved.
Alex feared her conflicting emotions were symptoms of something that went far beyond her physical cravings. Because lately, she found herself thinking that maybe, just maybe she was ready for more.
“Alex?”
She blinked to find Avery staring back with an expectant expression. “Sorry, what?”
“Did you even hear a word I just said?”
Had she?
“Of course, I did.” Alex smiled. “You and Garrett wanted to wait a bit to tell people, which is totally understandable.”
As for whatever else her sister had shared, Alex didn’t have a clue.
“I’m glad you understand. Trust me, it’s been killing me not to say something to you before now.
But hey, speaking of that, if you happen to talk to any of the others before tonight, please don’t say anything just yet.
We’re planning to make the announcement tonight, since everyone will already be there.
It’ll be a lot easier with the whole gang in one place. ”
The whole gang?
“What’s tonight?”
Her sister rolled her pretty eyes with a muttered, “Very funny.” When Alex didn’t laugh, Avery’s gaze grew wide. “Tonight’s the cookout, remember?” She waited. “We invited you and the team to the house for dinner. . .”
“You did?” Alex tried to remember.
“Like a week ago. I sent you a text, and you immediately responded. Said you’d be there and promised to bring a couple bottles of wine.”
Oh, crap.
“That’s tonight?” The memory of the aforementioned text rushed back to the surface. Alex glanced at her watch. “What time is it again?”
“We told everyone six-thirty, but you’re welcome to come over whenever.”
“Six-thirty.” She nodded. “Got it. I’ll be there, don’t worry. I can stop for the wine on my way to your place. Any requests?”
“Get whatever kind you want, because I obviously won’t be able to drink it.”
The baby, remember?
“Right. Do you want me to get you some soda or juice, or something else instead?”
“Thanks, but I’m covered. Garrett stocked up on ginger ale to help with the nausea.”
Guilt assaulted Alex when she realized she hadn’t even thought to ask how she was feeling.
“Has it been bad?”