AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I make a face at him, then grab the plate and turn my back to him. “Get out of my house, you monster.”
“Oh, it’s your house now, is it?”
“Mm-hmm.” I nod confidently, then turn back around to hold out my hand. Although, on immediate reflection, I’m not sure how wise it is to show off such an expensive ring to someone Calvin has described as a criminal.
Arson barely glances at it. “Nice.”
“It is nice.” I glance down the hall the other man disappeared down. It’s where the bedrooms are, not even the rooms we’re entertaining in. “Why are you worried Calvin would bug the place, anyway? Aren’t you guys friends?”
“Everyone’s your friend until they aren’t.”
“Beautiful. You should put that on a throw pillow.”
He motions to the ceiling in a circular motion. “Make sure you give your husband a gentle reminder that all these fucking cameras better be off before Nick gets here, too. He won’t even come in if he feels like he’s being watched.”
“Nick?”
“My boss.”
“Oh. He’s coming tonight?”
Arson nods, then rudely abandons me without even properly ending our conversation to go check on the guy down the hall.
I look up at the ceiling. I’ve looked before, but I have yet to see anything that looks like a camera. I’ve looked at other places I thought a nanny cam might be hidden, too, because of the way Hollis behaved in here like he knew Calvin was watching, but I have yet to find one.
Arson talks like he knows they here, though, and I believe him.
Even if he is an abrupt, rude monster who steals snacks from pregnant women.
___
I make sure to start getting ready hours before the guests are scheduled to arrive. Calvin had to work today, but he promised to be home by four.
I shower and go through my skincare routine, then Monique comes to style my hair and do my make-up. I feel stunning by the time she leaves, but also exhausted. Being pregnant really takes it out of me.
I’m already wearing the glittering midnight blue dress Calvin bought me for this evening, but instead of putting on the heels and going out to wait with the staff, I decide to lie down for just a quick minute. I’m finding it hard to stay awake, but if I just rest my eyes for a few minutes, I’ll be good to go.
That could be true.Shouldbe true.
It is not true.
When Calvin comes in, I’m fast asleep in my party dress. The lovely hairstyle Monique gave me is smashed against my pillow, and all I want to do is sleep.
“There’s my lovely hostess.”
I know if Calvin is here, that means I slept for more than 10 minutes. I try to muster the energy to care, but I don’t have it.
“Your hostess is sleepy,” I murmur into the pillow.
The bed sinks as Calvin climbs onto it. He crawls across the bed so he’s near the middle and closer to me, then I finally open my eyes.
“I take it little girl Cutler is making you tired today.”
“Exceedingly tired. And how do you know I’m giving her your last name?”
Calvin chuckles, which I suppose is all the acknowledgment that cranky remark deserves. Imagine going to war with Calvin over aname.
With one hand, he gently pushes me so I’m lying on my back. I close my eyes again, but start when I feel his hand come to rest on my stomach. “How are you doing in there? Making Mommy tired is naughty. You can do that later, after the party.”
