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“So soon?” Startled, Erin cringed at the thought of losing her mother’s invaluable help.
As if reading her thoughts, Tim bent toward her and whispered, “Tomorrow, we’ll handle the house sale, and the day after we’ll discuss future arrangements.”
Future arrangements?Alarm bells rang in her mind. According to his words, the romantic declarations were now part of their past.
“We’ll have a church wedding with music and flowers, and a reception to follow. David, would you like to hold my arm and walk me down the aisle?”
“Yessss, Granny.” The boy hugged her fiercely.
“And the family girls will be my bridesmaids and flower girls.”
Brianna’s gaze shifted from Teresa to her dad, her lips pinching and her eyes filling with anxiety. “Daddy, am I afamily girl?”
“Yes, sweetie pie,” Teresa answered. “You’re one of my family girls, and you’ll be my bridesmaid, too.”
“Thank you, Granny.” She jumped off the couch and hugged the woman she’d called Granny for the last five months.
While her mother detailed her vision of an ideal wedding, Erin stirred uneasily in her chair and swallowed hard. Her own wedding had consisted of a ten-minute stop at City Hall. No church, no music, no flowers, no white dress, and no guests. They’d been two kids in love… until life’s responsibilities had killed the joy and left too much hurt.
For her mother’s sake, she stomped on her emotions and plastered a smile on her face. When she turned toward Tim, she found him studying her with an intensity that made her uncomfortable.
After a delicious dinner and fabulous dessert, a chocolate cake decorated with a specialI love you, Russell,they hugged the newly engaged couple and left.
At home, Tim sat on the floor of the family room and played with the twins, while the other kids occupied themselves at playing various games. Around seven, he gathered the children around the table and gave them their glasses of milk and cookies, and later carried the twins to their room, Erin following with the others.
“Thank you. I’ll take care of them now.”
“All right. Tomorrow, please wait for me in the kitchen. We’ll be leaving at ten fifteen to meet the buyer and real estate agents at my office. The whole procedure won’t last long. So don’t worry about a thing. Good night.”
“Thank you for everything, Tim.” She stepped forward and kissed him on the cheek. He pressed her against his solid chest for a few seconds, and let her go with a sigh. She heard him running down the stairs. She smiled as she realized he’d been fighting not to kiss her.
***
In the morning, Erin waited for the school bus with the children at the corner of the street.
“Do you have all the keys?” Tim asked, when she returned home to finish her coffee and breakfast.
“Three sets. I’m coming with you to drive Becky and the boys to daycare.”
“That would save us time. We can go directly from there to my office.”
In suit, white shirt and tie, Tim radiated authority and confidence, in addition to his usual charm. Wearing leggings and the black sweater her mother had brought her from Las Vegas, Erin hoped she looked presentable enough for her first visit to his office.
They arrived a few minutes before the meeting. A lovely receptionist greeted Tim with a megawatt smile. “Andrea, our receptionist,” he introduced Erin.
Another young woman in short dress and high heels walked by. “Good morning Tim.”
“Our administrative assistant, Tammy. My friend, Erin.”
A third one who could qualify for Miss Ohio, stopped next to him. “Tim, I finished the research you gave me to do and emailed you the file.”
“Thanks, Ingrid. Meet my friend Erin.”
After they crossed a hall, Tim introduced her to his boss, George McConnell, who examined her curiously. A moment later, a striking woman in dark pantsuits stopped to greet them. Were beauty and elegance part of the job requirements in this firm?
“My colleague, Jessica Loren,” Tim said. “My friend, Erin Perkins.”
“He should have said colleague and best friend.” Jessica laughed with a confidence that nauseated Erin.
