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Abby spins around. “It is beautiful. Declan has excellent taste in real estate.”
I’ll say. My sister and her almost-husband live in a doorman building on Central Park West. It’s filled with all kinds of charm and design details that were crafted over a century ago.
“We’re supposed to be celebrating you tonight,” she reminds herself as she sets Cindy down on the couch next to me. “You created the new signature scent for Matiz Cosmetics. That’s a huge deal.”
She’s right. It is, and when Mr. Black told Telford and me the good news this morning, we contained our excitement until we strolled out of the café.
That’s when we clung to each other and jumped up and down on the busy Manhattan sidewalk.
The people rushing past us didn’t say a word. They didn’t need to. The moment belonged to Telford and me. Our names won’t be on any of the packaging or marketing materials for the new offering that will be part of the women’s fragrance collection, but we know what we accomplished. It’s a career milestone.
Matiz has a team of fragrance chemists, and although it’s never talked about, we’re all striving for the ultimate prize of developing a new women’s fragrance. Matiz only unveils a new one every two to three years, so it’s a huge deal.
“Wait until you tell my dad and your mom,” Abby says. “They’ll be so proud of you.”
I skip past that and land on the question I’ve been dying to ask all night. “What did they say when you told them about the baby?”
Her eyelids flutter shut as she works on a hard swallow.
I know my stepsister. She’s trying to keep her emotions at bay.
“They were over-the-moon happy,” I whisper while petting the kitten’s head. “Weren’t they?”
She nods. “So happy, Carrie.”
I’ve watched a true-life love story play out in front of my eyes these past few months. Since Abby met Declan, she’s fallen head over heels and is now on the brink of having the family she’s always wanted. She’s never admitted it to me, but I suspect it was a goal of hers for years.
Since I reached a career goal today, I’m going to set time aside to focus on one of my personal goals. That’s why I downloaded a new hookup app earlier.
I’ll set up a profile on it after my sister’s wedding. I may not find love on it, but I’m hoping some no-strings-attached fun will find me so I can celebrate my next birthday with a literal bang.
A sound at the apartment door lures her gaze over her shoulder. “That’s Declan and Rook.”
Um, what?
Just what?
I look down at my ripped, faded jeans and my oversized green sweatshirt. I put on this unfashionable ensemble after I got home from work. Adding to the look, my face is bare of makeup since I had a little happy cry as I stood in the shower washing the day away.
It’s not every day you get the best career news ever.
“Rook is here?” I try to level my tone.
“In the flesh,” Abby says as if that doesn’t conjure up an image in my mind of her boss stark naked.
It’s not the first time I’ve imagined that or the hundredth time for that matter.
Rook Thorsen is always front and center in my fantasies.
I run a hand through my hair just as the apartment door swings open, and Declan appears with the man who stars in my dirty dreams on his heel.
Wowza. Rook in a suit in real life is almost as hot as naked Rook in my mind’s eye. The three-piece gray suit he’s wearing is doing him all kinds of favors.
“We haven’t told him about the baby yet,” Abby whispers. “Don’t let the cat out of the bag.”
I briefly glance in her direction. “I won’t.”
Rook’s pace slows as soon as he spots me, and a grin overtakes his gorgeous lips.
