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“He’s not alone. You should know that.” Sasha sipped her brandy.
“Why? What else did you hear last night?”
“Stepp is ambitious.”
“He always has been. I had no idea he’d try to poach people with contracts. New meat, I understand, but this is backstabbing at its finest. Bastard,” I mumbled.
“You realize I can’t keep this up, Jeremy. I can’t run Scout while you spend time in the country.”
I frowned. “I was in Georgia. Not on a farm.”
“Does it matter? Islands? Ranches? The warehouse? You aren’t here. You haven’t been here. I have. And those assholes feel more confident with you. I hate it. I hate them.” She gritted her teeth. “They don’t trust me like they trust you, and you know it. Yet, you were still willing to dump this on me.”
I closed my eyes. I was fucking exhausted. Newton Hills had taken a toll on me. “I don’t want to argue with you, Sasha. I’m back now. I’m not leaving. I won’t miss any more events. I promise you.” I held her gaze steadily.
“You promise?”
I held the brandy to my lips. “Drink with me?”
I saw the smile on her lips. “The last one.”
“Of course.”
We were so close. So close to having the full package to fund the team. There was one final item on the checklist that still needed to be completed. I had to hold on to the secret a little while longer. It would be here in eight months.
Evie was asleep by the time got home. After our last round of drinks, Sasha left the restaurant and I went to the office. It was easier to get a hold on what was happening at Scout when I was at my desk. There were no distractions. Nothing to steal my focus.
Evie had left the lamp on next to my side of the bed. There was a note folded in half. I picked it up.
I missed you tonight.
-E
I tucked it under my phone and turned off the light. I wanted to shower before I crawled into bed with my wife. I rinsed off and wrapped a towel around my waist, only to drop it on my way to the bed. I slid between the sheets. I realized Evie’s hand was protectively draped over her stomach. I smiled.
She murmured something. I nuzzled against her neck and fell asleep.
19
Evie
Jeremy held my hand. We stared at the blurry screen.
“Is that?” He bent to get a closer look. “That can’t be.”
The doctor smiled. “That’s your baby. Growing right on schedule. Measuring a perfect size for thirteen weeks.”
Jeremy squeezed my palm before dropping it. He traced the silhouette on the screen with his finger. It bounced under his touch.
“Wait, did it? Did it kick?”
I giggled. “I think so.”
“Looks like an active baby. I’ll print these pictures for you two to take with you,” Dr. Simons offered. I liked her. She had been recommended to me by our downstairs neighbor who had two children. It was the best referral I could get. “Do you have any questions before you leave?”
I looked at Jeremy.
“No.” He shook his head. “The baby is healthy? And Evie?”
