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Two
Addison was contemplating Bran’s behavior at the Gnarly Bean yesterday when Taylor Thompson stepped into her office.
“Knock, knock. You should demand a door. Anyone could barge in.” Taylor was referring to the dividing wall separating Addi from the rest of the office, and Bran’s office, which was to the left of her desk.
“You are the COO. Barge away.”
“Ugh. Let’s stop talking about barges. I already feel like one.” Taylor smoothed a hand over the small baby bump protruding from her black Dolce & Gabbana midi dress.
“Stop it. You look amazing. How’s everything going?” Addi asked.
“Do you mean with work, the pregnancy, the engagement or moving in with Royce?” Taylor’s eyes widened slightly. Her life had changed drastically over the last few months, so it must be hard to wrap her head around. It wasn’t long ago that Addi had flipped the light switch on for the copy room and stumbled across Royce and Taylor making out in the supply closet.
Thank goodness those days were behind them. At the time she’d been so jealous of Taylor and Bran’s relationship. Now Addi could hardly believe how immature she’d been. It was obvious Taylor had found her other half in Royce.
Addi had since apologized for being rude—while avoiding mentioning that it was because she was half in love with Bran—and because Taylor was at once charming and classy, she’d apologized right back and asked if they could be friends.
Taylor lowered into the guest chair in front of Addi’s desk. “I’ve never been so busy and yet I feel like I’m exactly where I should be. Does that make sense?”
“Complete sense.” Addi smiled. She used to believe she was exactly where she should be. Before Bran started acting weird around her. What was with that display with the barista yesterday morning, anyway? Ken and Bran seemed to be having some sort of modern-day Wild West standoff.
Men made no sense. Maybe it was time to stop trying to figure them out.
“It’s incredible that I get anything done considering I can’t have caffeine right now.” Taylor grimaced.
“I’d die.” Addi tucked her coffee mug behind her computer screen to hide it from view.
“That’s the price of having a healthy son or daughter. It’s strange not knowing what to call my baby. I can’t very well say ‘it,’ can I?”
“You don’t want to know the sex?” Addi didn’t know if she could stand the suspense if she were pregnant.
“I do. And I don’t. Everything about my and Royce’s relationship has been a surprise. Why not surprise ourselves with a little girl or boy?” She rubbed her round tummy.
“I’m happy for you.” Addi meant it. Taylor was glowing and not just from the pregnancy. Whenever she was with Royce, the other woman lit up like the northern lights. “Have you set a wedding date yet?”
“Ho boy.” Taylor admired the gigantic diamond solitaire on her left hand. “I know the engagement will lead to a wedding, but we’re not sure when. We’re taking things a day at a time.”
Unplanned pregnancy and closet kisses aside, Taylor had handled life’s many curveballs with a grace Addi hoped one day to possess.
“Happy belated anniversary, by the way. I saw Bran with a pair of cupcakes yesterday.”
“Funny. He only gave me one.” Addi narrowed her eyes playfully, trying not to let any of her feelings for him show. Walking around half in love with him was not healthy—and behaving like a lovesick woman in front of Taylor was asking for it. “I’m lucky to work for people who care. I’ve had bosses who didn’t.”
A lot of them. She’d shunned her parents’ money when she didn’t follow their rules for her life. Seceding from the union five years ago to pave her own way had come at a price. There were a lot of ramen noodles in her past, and plenty of bills that had been paid late. But that was in her past. When she landed the position at ThomKnox, she knew she was in the right place. They paid her well, and the higher-ups actually cared. Jack Knox, Bran’s dad, had always treated her with respect and addressed her warmly.
And recently she’d almost blown it. Over what? A schoolgirl crush? No more.
She would never go back to scraping by or working for companies that gladly stepped on the “little people” to pave their mansions’ driveways with gold bars. The Knoxes—and Taylor would soon be one—were good people. Addi was a good person. And she was no longer going to let a silly attraction distract her from what was important.
“Now for the real reason I came here. When’s Brannon back?” Taylor glanced at his dark office.
“He had an early meeting before work. He should be here soon.” Addi glanced at the clock. “You’re welcome to wait.”
“No, that’s okay. I’ll track him down later.” Taylor stood and seemed to quietly debate before asking, “Are you and Brannon...okay?”
“Of course!” Addi said a little too loudly. “Why wouldn’t we be?”
“Come on, Ad. Just us girls here. I see the way you look at him.”
