AllFreeNovel
Share Us
And it was clear Mark had a soft spot for her daughter. “You know, I should be done with my work by, um, did you say six o’clock?”
I nodded. “Yep. Six o’clock.”
“See you then.”
The door shut, leaving me to laugh at Haylee’s satisfied smile. “The Uncle Mark pretty much did him in.”
She smirked. Like Mark, she was still dressed from the luncheon, in her case in a beautiful pink dress. “I can’t help it. He’s like family and would spend all his hours working if I didn’t guilt him into the fun stuff.”
“Does he live local or in New York?”
She walked over and gave Tristan a big smooch. “He lives here in New Haven, although he does travel sometimes. His office is a one-bedroom apartment across from you, so you may see him from time to time.”
“Is he, um, single?” God, my subtlety needed work.
The way she stood up from where she’d bent down to talk to Tristan, with her eyes wide, caused me to clarify.
“I didn’t mean it that way. I guess I was only curious about him. I’ve always known he was Josh and Brian’s best friend since college and that he’s Josh’s lawyer, but nothing more. I’m sure I’ve talked to him on the phone a bunch of times when he’s called the office, but last night at your party was actually the first time I met him in person.”
“Huh. It’s surprising you’ve only just met, but I suppose he doesn’t get down to Charlotte a lot since he works mainly with Josh’s acquisitions and real estate deals. And, to answer your question, he’s single. But, uh, he doesn’t date.”
“That doesn’t beg for a backstory or anything, does it?”
She laughed before sighing. “Brian and Josh know a lot more than I do, but he lost his fiancée a number of years ago during law school. But do me a favor and don’t mention it to him. He’s very private and I don’t want him thinking we’re talking about him. At the same time, I didn’t want you to maybe think…”
That I had a chance.
I finished the sentence in my head. It wasn’t just the tragedy regarding his fiancée which had me thinking he would never date me. First, I’d pretty much ensured that would never happen with my embarrassing TMI session last night. Second, he was a successful attorney living in Connecticut, which was pretty far away from Charlotte, my real home. And third, I wasn’t in a position to look for anything romantic. “I wasn’t thinking that. I tend to be genuinely curious about people.”
“Actually, you might be good for getting him out of his shell. Anyway, I came down with the intention of asking if we can bring anything tonight. It’s very sweet of you to offer to cook.”
I smiled. “I love doing it. If you want to bring drinks, you could. Otherwise, I have everything else covered with enchiladas.”
She came over, surveying the ingredients. “Wow, I can’t wait. Someday, if you have time, I’d love to watch you cook. Maybe pick up a few pointers.”
That gave me an idea. I might never be able to pay her and Josh monetarily, but I could definitely return their favors in dinners and cooking pointers.
“Anytime.” I meant it. “See ya at six.”
* * *
Tristan napped while I cleaned,not that there was much to do. I was quickly finding out that a thousand square feet was easy to keep tidy. I’d been able to unpack and organize some things, so at least I wasn’t living out of suitcases. We’d driven up with my SUV packed full of clothes and toys. Thankfully, Haylee had furnished the two-bedroom apartment with comfortable furniture, including a crib for Tristan. She’d also provided things like sheets and towels, saving me the trouble of having to pack or buy them.
Two pans of enchiladas were about to go in the oven when the first knock came at the door. Brian and Sasha arrived with smiles and Mexican beer. It wasn’t long before Josh, Haylee, and their four-month-old baby girl, Abby, joined us. The final knock brought an awkward-looking Mark, who had changed into jeans. Jeans, I might add, that when he bent down to pick up baby Abby, encased the man’s ass quite nicely.
“Ow,” I squealed. I was putting the pans in the oven and had hit the rack with my finger while preoccupied with said ass.
Sasha glanced up from the fridge, where she was grabbing sour cream. “You okay?”
I ran my throbbing thumb under cold water in the sink. “Yep. All good.” And let that be a lesson to me. Stare at the ass, and you’re bound to get burned.
The evening was fun. I couldn’t begin to count the number of compliments I received on the meal. But what I loved most was the way everyone was with Tristan. They all took time to engage with him and ensure he was getting extra attention. When eight o’clock rolled around, however, it became the witching hour, bedtime for both Abby and Tristan and everyone ready to say good night. I was adamant that the pile of dishes be left alone, not allowing anyone to touch anything.
“I have nothing but time and a great big dishwasher,” I argued, giving Sasha and Brian hugs and making them promise to send work my way come Monday. I was the office manager in the Charlotte branch of Gamble Advertising. I might be working remotely, but I wanted to continue to earn my money.
“We’ll be traveling, so why don’t you take a week off?” Brian offered.
“And do what? You know I need to be busy. Josh, do you have anything I can help with?” I knew he had a completely competent admin in Nigel, a man who’d worked for Josh for many years, but maybe there was some task I could work on.
