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Alina shook her head. “I have no idea, but I’m happy about it. Anyway, ladies, I’m going to call Taylor now. I’ll see you on Saturday.”
Peyton and Bailey wished their friend well before ending the call. Alina wasted no time dialing the next number.
Taylor didn’t answer immediately, and Alina was about to end the call when her friend said, “I swear you have the worst timing. I was in the middle of taking selfies for Instagram.”
“Trust me, Taylor,” Alina said, her tone low. “People wouldn’t know the difference. You have so many pictures on there already.” Alina waved her hand. “Anyway, Dereck is having a baby shower for me on Saturday and he wanted me to invite you.” Then she mumbled. “Although I don’t know why. You two seem to be communicating well without me.”
Taylor laughed then, the sound putting a slight smile on Alina’s face. “Jealous?”
Alina pushed up her nose. “Never. When he realizes you’re too wild for him, he’ll run back to me.”
The women both laughed heartedly before Taylor said in a singsong voice. “And finished.”
“What did you do?” With Taylor, nothing was as it seemed, so Alina learned a long time ago to simply ask questions.
“I just canceled my date on Saturday. I’m all yours.” Alina laughed again, and Taylor said. “You didn’t think I’ll miss this for anything, right? I’m the favorite aunt, remember?”
“Of course. Of course,” Alina agreed and weaved her head up and down.
By the time Dereck popped his head inside the room to gently remind Alina of her waiting breakfast, Taylor already had Alina clutching her stomach and trying not to squirt. It was a nasty side effect she struggled with throughout her pregnancy, but she wouldn’t trade these past months for anything.
47
Dereck had already left his house, on his way to the venue of Alina’s baby shower, when he received a call from his boss.
“I need you to come into my office,” Dereck’s boss said sternly.
“Sorry boss. I can’t right now. I’m busy at the moment.” He didn’t hesitate to reject his request.
“I wasn’t asking Dereck.” His boss was struggling to contain himself. He took a deep breath, one that was heard through the phone, then spoke in a softer tone. “It won’t take long so you can get back to whatever it is you’re doing.” Then he added. “It’s important Dereck. Your career depends on it.”
Dereck wrinkled his forehead and turned the car at the next traffic light. “I’ll be there in twenty minutes.”
After ending the call with his boss, Dereck dialed Alina and shocked her with his first sentence. “Is your mother there? Can I talk to her?”
Alina took a moment before she handed the phone to her mother, who smiled broadly when she heard it was Dereck. “Hello.” Alina couldn’t believe that was the same woman who had despised him days before. Things had certainly changed.
“Laura,” Dereck began. “Can you go to the restaurant and check on everything? I just got called into work. I should be there in time for the party, but I won’t be able to do any last-minute organization.”
“Of course, I can.” Laura pushed herself off the couch. “I’m no good at using the subway, so I will take Lewis with me.”
Dereck wasn’t sure about leaving Alina alone, but it was only for a short time. Hopefully, nothing will happen then. “I’ll organize a Lyft for Alina then.” Then he added. “Thank you for this.”
“Anything to help,” the elder woman said before giving the phone to Alina and proceeding to her room, where her husband was.
“Your parents are going to the venue for me, and Dina is at her meeting. Do you think you’ll be okay?” As soon as the words came out of his mouth, he regretted it. There was only one thing to follow a question like that.
“What do you think I am? A baby?” she huffed. “I’ll let you know, Mr. Johnson. Before I met you, I took care of myself. I’m not as fragile as you think.”
“Of course, you aren’t.” There was an awkward smile on Dereck’s face. “I’m just worried about you.”
Alina calmed her tone then. “I understand, but you can’t let your world revolve around me. You have to be your own person, too.”
“Well, that’s going to be tough. Because all I want is the be next to you.” Dereck knew exactly how to get to her.
Alina chuckled, her face turning red, and she adopted a tone an adult usually used with babies. “That is so sweet.” She dragged out her last word before getting serious. “But I am fine. Do what you have to do and don’t worry about me.”
Dereck breathed out heavily then. “I’ll see you at the party, then.”
