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“Are you insane?” I asked. “I want my bonus now.”
“Excellent,” he said, grinning at me.
We clinked our glasses again, and I drank the bubbly liquid, surprisingly unable to taste the refreshing flavor.
I couldn’t concentrate on my work for the rest of the day, and it wasn’t because of the glass of champagne or the thrill of closing those deals. My mind just would not engage. So, I decided to pack it in early. After all, I had a huge check coming my way; what did I have to lose? Adam looked at me like I was insane when I informed him that I was taking off early, which I couldn’t blame him for; I was never out of the office before six.
Once in my car, though, I called a number that’d been ignored for too long, which was particularly unconscionable considering how long I’d been home at this point.
“Nat!” My best friend’s voice grounded me immediately, and I found myself breathing easier. “Are you seriously only calling me now after being back for how many days?”
“I know, I know,” I said. “But in my defense, I did text the group.”
“Yeah, you texted a mom of baby twins and two newly engaged women, asking if we want to go out and party,” she said, and I could practically hear her eyes rolling.
“Okay, I’ll take that,” I said. “Regardless, can I come over and see my godsons?”
“For the love of God, please,” she said. “You know you never have to ask to come over.”
“On my way, then,” I said, feeling like a weight was lifted a little bit just knowing I was going to be in the company of Bree and her family.
I wanted to get onto the freeway as soon as possible, so I didn’t bother to stop anywhere until I was in Malibu. I promptly turned into the parking lot of a Seven-Eleven and bought three pints of Ben and Jerry’s chocolate fudge brownie, the flavor we ate so much in college that we could’ve single-handedly kept them in business. It was the perfect way to apologize for blowing off my best friend after returning from London.
When I pulled into the driveway of Alex and Bree’s house, I shucked off my heels and walked up to the front door, letting myself in with the code I’d been given as soon as Bree had officially moved in.
“Hello, darlings, I’m home!” I called, walking inside.
I was hailed by Alex, who held his finger up to his lips with a slightly disapproving look.
“Happy to see you too, sunshine,” I teased his shitty expression. “Sorry, I’m not trying to arrive unannounced. Bree said it was cool for me to stop by tonight.”
“No big deal. It’s just been a bitch getting Albert to sleep tonight,” he said, reaching his arm out and pulling me in for a hug. “I don’t think he woke up, though, so it’s all good. All’s well that ends well, right?”
“Always,” I said.
“Speaking of,” he asked, raising his eyebrows, “how are you and Spence these days?”
Something told me this man knew more than I’d care to think he knew about Spencer and me. And it wasn’t because I got into the details with Bree, either.
“Hang on,” Bree said, walking in with a sleeping Logan in her arms. “Hang on, hang on, hang on. There’s no way you’re telling this story when I’m not there to listen to it. Let me put this one in bed, and I’ll be right back.”
“You ladies enjoy yourself. I have a loose end to tie up at work,” Alex said.
“Wait a minute,” I looked into his little snake eyes. “What made you ask me that question, Alexander?”
He slipped his hands into his pockets. “Nothing,” he shrugged.
I found myself in a standoff with yet another billionaire CEO, and frankly, I didn’t have time for this shit.
“Yeah, remind me to play poker with you so I can kick your ass and take all your money. Your face tells a different story than your lips.”
He chuckled. “All I can say is that I never thought the day would come.” His handsome expression was more mischievous than usual.
“And which day is that?” I pressed.
“The day Natalia Hoover and Spencer Monroe would cry into their wine glasses over bumps in their relationship.”
“And I’ll admit, I never thought this day would come, either, wise ass. The day, of course, being when you say something so preposterous to me,” I smirked. “Let’s just hope it all passes and never comes again.”
