“Found a cute place near Kelsey. Thinking about it.” The lie slips past my lips flawlessly.
“Oh, that would be wonderful, you two living close to each other.”
“Yeah,” I mutter as Jeff comes through the front door from where he’d once again been tending to the landscaping in the front yard.
“Lottie, care to explain these?” he asks, holding a large bouquet of red roses.
What the actual hell?
“Are those for me?” I ask.
He nods. “Yes, they have your name on them.”
“Oh, maybe it’s Angela promoting you.”
Jesus, one-track mind, anyone?
I hop off my stool, take the bouquet from Jeff, and set it on the table. I remove the tiny white envelope from the holder and take out the card. Written in very manly handwriting—slanted, almost illegible—it says “Please reconsider. H” and then there’s a phone number beneath it.
How on earth did he know where I live?
I know rich people have access to things us peasants don’t, but the man doesn’t even know my last name, nor enough information about me to put together who I am.
“Who are they from?” Mom asks, coming up behind me.
I clutch the envelope to my chest. “No one,” I say quickly, and then I grab the flowers and run to my room. I shut the door and, once again, slide to the ground, flowers in hand.
What the actual hell?
Chapter Five
HUXLEY
“Dave Toney is on the phone,” Karla says as she knocks on the doorframe of my office door.
“Send him through,” I say before turning to JP. “Can I get some privacy, man?”
He shakes his head. “I’d rather be here for this conversation.” When he doesn’t attempt to move, I realize he’s not kidding.
Rolling my eyes, I pick up my phone. “Dave, good to hear from you,” I answer in a casual voice. “How are you?”
“Doing great. I was speaking with Ellie last night and she was adamant I find out if your fiancée has any allergies or aversions to food. Ever since Ellie got pregnant, she can’t even be in the same room as French fries. They absolutely repulse her. But potato chips are fine. I don’t get it, but I go with it.”
Great question.
Really great fucking question.
Well, if this were an alternate reality and I really was engaged to a pregnant woman, I’d assume she’d have some sort of pregnancy craving, as well as something she couldn’t possibly be around, but because I don’t have a pregnant fiancée, I don’t have an answer for him.
But I’m still counting on Lottie, even though I’ve yet to hear from her. I know the flowers were delivered, I asked for a delivery receipt, so I should’ve heard something from her. At least, that’s the narcissistic side of me talking. And I’m going to keep holding out, because I could see she was interested. She needs the help. I just need to find the right way to pursue her. I’m also not opposed to playing dirty to get what I want. That’s obvious from this entire predicament I’m in.
So, instead of answering about allergies, I’m going to answer about cravings, because if I can nudge them toward something I know she’ll eat, then that will guarantee I don’t make her eat something she might have an allergic reaction to.
“No allergies that I’m aware of—thank God for no allergic reactions during the time we’ve been together, am I right?”
Dave laughs. “Talk about ruining a date.”
It’s sickening how jovial the man sounds. How relaxed. It’s as if he’s been walking around, doing business with a stick up his ass, and then I come around with a pregnant fiancée, and he’s Mr. Dad now, happy-go-lucky, wearing his New Balance 409s and living his best life.
“Yeah, we haven’t had that happen. Thankfully. But I do know that she’s craving burrito bowls right now. I just had to get her one from Chipotle yesterday.” Not a lie, the truth. And she shoveled that thing into her mouth.
“That’s crazy. Ellie has been craving Chipotle lately. We had it last night. I’m wondering if we should just get that for dinner. I know Ellie spoke of making a southern meal, but she’s been exhausted lately and this might be an easy out for her. Do you know what your girl likes from Chipotle?”
That I do.
I smile and for the first time since I picked up the phone, I remember JP is sitting across from me. His arms are crossed, one leg crossed over the other, and he has a huge smile on his face, enjoying me squirm way too much.