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"I can't believe the name didn't ring a bell." She flips the pages, and mid-turn, her eyes met mine.
She returns the seven dollar instigator. I should have waited until I got home to read it but his eyes…they kept calling me. It’s one thing to hear about his success, seeing him again awakens old feelings and old mistakes.
Hunter reclines in her chair. I've known her since elementary school, but the woman in front of me has transformed before our eyes.
“Is this cool with you? Reaching out to him and the possibility of working with him?”
I shrug. Not my most eloquent response, but it’s all I got.
"I'm in an unusual predicament. I want to consider our options as a brand and leverage our growing popularity. However, we are nine guys down between pregnancies, newborns, or new marriages. I need to lean on you at least until I deliver this baby. And with Zoe turning thirteen, I can't oversee this." She rubs her belly in slow circular motions. "You're the most efficient, dependable, and organized of our bunch, which is saying a lot. You'll have our full support, but you have to be our anchor. Can I count on you?"
“Yes.” I sit up.
“Even if it means working with Mateo?”
I shift in the chair under her intense gaze. She knows secrets about my life that I haven’t shared with all of the guys. It wasn’t until Ryann told us about her father murdering her mother that I finally gave myself permission to think about my mother and my biological father as my parents.
Hunter knows how somedays it’s hard to live in my skin. Mateo thriving in his Latino, Dominican skin makes it difficult to stew in my hidden insecurities.
I'm a grown-ass woman still afraid to stand up to my mother and accept half of my genetic makeup. I'm a coward.
"Yeah, sure. That was years ago. What do you have in mind?"
Her long pause makes me uncomfortable. Is she second-guessing her decision?
"For the record, I'm respecting your privacy, but you're safe here. We're not pressed to make this happen. Understand?"
“Yes. Tell me what you have in mind.”
She nods, reaching in her side drawer. "I think having an idea of what to expect if we enter the international market. Legislation, tax considerations, expenses, viable services to provide. I guess we need to know the feasibility. And whether it's something we truly want to explore."
I nod. All of the partners work with Platinum Prestige, but only Hunter, her husband Ben, and I work here full time.
"According to this article, Mateo would be the perfect person to help us get a clear picture. We could also talk with Liam since he has an extension of their business overseas. Darius too." I offer for her consideration. The guys have married astute and successful businessmen.
"That's right. You'll be our liaison, and I'll differ to your judgment."
"What type of deadline are we looking at?" This is the most significant assignment I've been given.
"We don't have to decide, but having enough information to sit the guys down by the end of the year would be cool."
“So, by our holiday girl’s trip?” That’s less than a month away.
"Oh yeah, that would be a perfect time. No kids. No husbands." She smiles at the thought, and so do I. The plan is to spend a weekend in Las Vegas.
“Jo, you about ready? Because I know you’re hungry.” Ben stops just inside the office. “Hey, Alex.” He waves.
Hunter's eyes shift, and her love for him washes over the room. The dynamics of our relationships have changed. All but two of us are married. I'm the only one with neither a husband or a child.
Watching each guy find love and marry it equally joyous and isolating. I’m gaining brothers and precious godchildren, but a part of me is losing my sisters. Our tight circle is no longer a circle of ten, and I tell myself I'm happy about it.
“Hey. Where are y’all going to eat?” I stand.
“I hope home. This baby is a picky eater.” Hunter starts gathering her stuff.
“Zoe started your favorite, spaghetti.” Ben picks up her bag, tossing it over his shoulder.
“Cooking, about to turn thirteen…” I rub my hands over my arms covered in goosebumps. Zoe is Ben’s niece that he and Hunter raise. “Next thing she’ll be heading off to college.”
