“Of course. Please let Allyson know we can meet whenever is most convenient for her. By the way, let me introduce our latest employee to you. This is Gia Gravel. Gia, this is Caydan Pintino. One of your new bosses.”
Roger had spoke about a friend named Caydan, but he was a Henderson. Once again, she knew there was a story behind it all. If Roger was still in Boston, she’d ask. What the heck? He was gone, and she was very capable of finding things out on her own. Managed okay before Roger, I can after him too. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I heard your name before. Would you know a Roger Patrick?”
Caydan cocked a brow. He looked her over, and she wondered if asking had been wise. “What are you doing for dinner?”
She wasn’t anticipating that response. “I . . . I don’t have any plans.” That wasn’t entirely true. Gia thought she’d be going to Maplesville and updating them on the interview.
“Could you join my wife and me for dinner?”
Like saying no was really an option. Brittney just said he was her boss. But why he was inviting her was a mystery.
“Yes, I can. Was there something you’d like to discuss with me?”
“No. Why?”
“I wanted to be prepared if needed.” Gia had been out with Lena for lunch, hopefully Allyson would be as warm and friendly. It was hard to gauge, since Caydan seemed . . . standoffish. “Would you like me to meet you someplace?”
Caydan pulled out his phone and typed something before answering her. “How about six and here?”
“Excellent. I’ll see you then.” She turned back to Brittney, “Thank you again, and I’ll see you in two weeks.”
When her feet finally hit the sidewalk, a limo pulled up. Her heart skipped a beat, hoping it was Roger. Although they texted daily, it wasn’t the same as seeing him. He was being so damn thoughtful, trying to give her time and space to do what she needed to. What he didn’t seem to understand was how much she needed him. They had become close in such a short time, but that didn’t mean she didn’t feel his absence.
But when the driver walked around and opened the door she knew it wasn’t Roger. He never let anyone hold a door for him. To her surprise, it was Lena. She rushed right over and gave her a hand getting out.
“Thank you Gia,” Lena said as she stabled herself. “Can you believe they’re having a meeting and forgot to ask me?”
Gia chuckled. “I’m sure it was an oversight.”
Lena rubbed her belly. “I’m going to guess they didn’t want me delivering on the conference room table. I’m okay with natural childbirth, but that would be more natural than I want.”
“Are you going in anyway?” Gia asked then realized it was none of her business.
Lena shook her head. “Actually I was here hoping I’d catch you before you left.”
“Me?”
“Yes. I wanted to know how your father was doing.”
Had Roger told her? “Better. They had to insert stents in a few arteries, but thankfully he didn’t require open heart surgery. Tomorrow we take him home.”
“Do you need any help? Or your mother?”
Gia really didn’t know how they were going to manage everything. The biggest issue right now was how they were going to financially make ends meet. That wasn’t something she was going to share with anyone, not even Roger.
“My brother, Gary, lives close by. But thank you.” She really did appreciate Lena’s offer. She knew it wasn’t said just to be nice. Lena was genuinely a nice person. “So you’re due—”
“Any day. Hopefully today. That’s why I’m here. Hoping we can go for a walk.” Lena lowered her voice even though there wasn’t anyone in earshot. “Don’t tell anyone, but I had a few contractions early this morning.”
“You’re in labor?” Gia asked, trying not to show her panic.
“Early stages I guess. But walking helps speed things along.”
And that’s a good thing? “Maybe you should call your doctor, or go to the hospital or—”
“Just take a walk and get ice cream.”
“Not craving Thai?” Gia teased.
Lena made a face. “Goodness no. I think I’ve eaten ice cream for dinner for the past three days.”
“I know my stomach will be happier if we stop. So where do you want to go? Boston Commons?”
“Actually I’m thinking the wharf. Nice breeze and we can watch the boats come and go. And they have a place that lets you make your own ice cream.”
“And how far is it to the hospital from there?” Gia asked.
Lena shrugged. “I’m not worried about it.”
That makes one of us. Gia had a feeling if she declined the offer, Lena would go on her own. Even though the limo driver would be close by, it wasn’t the same thing. “I could go for some rocky road ice cream.”
“Yum. Anything chocolate, or nuts or . . . heck, let’s be real, I’ll eat just about anything right now.”
On the way to the wharf, Gia talked about the interview and how impressed she was with Brittney.
“She definitely knows her stuff. You should’ve heard the questions my mother asked me, thinking it would prepare me better.”
“What kinds of questions,” Lena asked.
“The illegal ones. Are you married? Are you thinking about getting married? Any children in your future? Any health issues?”
Lena laughed. “Your mother asked you those?” Gia nodded. “I don’t think she was talking about the interview. I know how my mother used such tactics to get me to settle down. I was afraid to bring Brice around. Once she got her claws in him, it was all over.” Patting her stomach, she added, “And the rest is history.”
“Oh, I have a feeling your story is still in the making.”
“You might be right.” Lena moaned.
“Are you okay?” Gia asked. She saw Lena’s expression change.
“I think you were right.”
That’s not what she wanted to hear. “Do you want to go to the hospital?”
She shook her head. “I want to stop at Henderson Towers. If I have to drag Brice out of that meeting kicking and screaming, he’s coming with me.”
“Maybe you should call ahead. Have him meet the limo when you pull up.” Gia never had a baby, but from Lena’s breathing, things were moving along faster than Lena may have hoped.
“Oh, boy.”
Oh boy? “What?” She pulled out her cell phone not knowing what the heck to do. So she did the only thing she could think of and sent Roger a text.
WITH LENA. SHE’S IN LABOR. WHAT DO I DO?
Instead of texting her back Roger called. “Where are you?”
Not wanting Lena to know she was panicking, she tried to play it cool. “Hi Roger. I’m out with Lena. We’re by the wharf and heading back to Henderson Towers.”
“But she’s in labor, right?” he asked.
“That’s right. Not sure what you’d like me to do about that,” Gia said while watching Lena.
“I’m updating Brice. You get her to a hospital.”
“Tried that.”
“Damn it. I’ll call you right back.” Roger ended the call.
“What . . . what . . . did . . . he want?” Lena asked between breaths.
“Checking how my day is going.”
“Did you . . . tell him . . . uneventful?” Lena teased.
“Really? You can joke when you’re about to deliver a baby in the back of a limo?” Gia hoped that wasn’t the case.
“Just think how it will look on your résumé.”
Just then Gia’s phone rang as well as Lena’s. There was no question by the barking she heard on Lena’s that it was Brice. He was stressing he was on the way to the hospital and she better be too.
“I’ll meet you there,” Roger said.
“You’re in Boston?” Gia asked.
“Yes,” Roger replied.
Lena said, “Change of plans. We’re going to the hospital.”
Thank God. “Roger, if you’re free, I can us
e a ride.”
“I’m on my way,” Roger said and ended the call.
I just hope we make it. The limo driver also must’ve been given instructions as he was beeping his horn and weaving through traffic. Boston was always busy, and today was no exception. Lena had a few more contractions, heavy if the moans were any indication. Nothing was sweeter than the limo pulling in front of the hospital and Brice waiting with a wheelchair.
The limo might not have even been put in park when Brice opened the door and asked, “How far along are the contractions?”
Lena wasn’t in any position to answer, as another one had come. Gia took her best guess. “Less than two minutes. We didn’t even make it through two lights on the last one.”
Brice leaned over and scooped Lena up in to his arms then into the chair. “Okay, let’s go have this baby.”
Gia stood on the sidewalk as Brice pushed the wheelchair into the building. The driver approached her and asked, “Miss, is there someplace I can take you?”
She looked around and didn’t see Roger. It was a shame to make him leave whatever he was doing when she easily could utilize the vehicle that was already at her disposal. Yet this wasn’t about convenience. Gia was tired of talking through technology. She wanted to see his face. Maybe get a hug, because God knows I need one.
“Thank you but a . . . friend is meeting me here.”
The limo driver nodded and drove away. As she waited, she realized her feet were killing her. She’d been dressed for an interview, not a walk on the wharf or standing in front of a hospital. Although tempted to go inside, she didn’t want Roger to have to go looking for her. She’d give him a few more minutes, then call and check his status.
What Gia wasn’t prepared for was a taxi pulling up next to her and Roger getting out. “Sorry it took me so long.”
“What happened to your car?”
“I didn’t have it with me.” Roger said as he let her slip into the taxi then joined her.
“Roger, I didn’t want to pull you away from work.”
“Are you kidding me? That text message pretty much changed all the plans for the day.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I have no idea why they wanted me there anyway. I’m not a Henderson.”
“You were at Henderson Towers?” She hadn’t seen him, then again, she’d been trying to focus on what was important, getting the job.
“I was. And tonight I was supposed to have dinner with Caydan and Allyson.” Pulling her hand to his lips he added, “But I’d much rather have dinner with you.” Gia chuckled. Roger asked, “Was that funny?”
“Yes, because I’m having dinner with Caydan and Allyson tonight.”
Roger laughed. “So much for having you all to myself.”
There’s always later. “I’m sure we can sneak out before dessert.”
“That’s my girl.”
Am I? She wished that was the case. Maybe then she’d tell him that she was having strong feelings for him and wished they could explore what had started to bloom. But tomorrow she’ll go back to Maplesville to settle things for her parents. And Roger will go back to whatever it was he did.
Don’t overthink it. Tomorrow comes fast enough. Just enjoy the moment. You don’t get many of them.
Roger never should’ve mentioned dinner. He easily could’ve blown off his friends. But he didn’t believe Gia would’ve followed suit. That was the problem with rule followers. Little white lies didn’t work for them. He had to admit, that could be an issue. He knew that look on Caydan’s face. Caydan had a reason for asking them both to dinner. Roger wasn’t even listening to Gia tell the story of how they had met.
“That is so romantic,” Allyson said.
“I’m not sure romantic would be the term I’d use, but it was memorable,” Gia responded.
Roger was trying to ignore the ladies endless chatter. But it beat the hell out of whatever was on Caydan’s mind. It was a conversation they’d have later. Alone. Or at least he hoped so.
“Why do you think my brother called a family meeting?” Caydan asked.
“I’m not privy to what your brother does,” Roger replied.
Caydan turned to Gia and asked, “You’re new with the company. Do you know?”
Roger was about to snap and tell Caydan to keep her out of it, but even though Gia’s eyes widened, she calmly said, “I’m so new that I start in two weeks. When we met earlier, I was leaving my interview.”
Good girl. She didn’t lie, only stated facts that didn’t include anything of importance. Was that intentional? Because if so, that was another skill he didn’t realize she had. One she’s going to need around the Hendersons.
Roger watched as Caydan continued to stare at Gia. He knew this wasn’t good. Caydan was fixated on her for some reason. Did he really suspect she knew something? That would be crazy, if it was true.
Fuck. This could all blow up. Brice would be pissed. Yet did he really think this kind of stuff would stay buried? The only way that would’ve happened would have been if he ripped that photo up the moment he’d seen it. Once Brice wanted to know more, it was inevitable others would also learn the truth. The only difference, Caydan was still building the bond with his family. Having Brice hide shit wasn’t the way to keep the brotherly trust. And covering for Brice isn’t a way for me to hold a friendship either.
This wasn’t a situation he wanted to be in. Just a little over a year ago Roger was digging up dirt for Caydan to take the Hendersons down. Now Roger was out to protect them. Even Brice. He never thought he’d need to worry about Gia in this crazy mix. That’s because he never imagined caring for her the way he did, never mind bringing her into this circle. The Hendersons, including Caydan, were all capable of taking care of themselves. Gia, even though he told her how strong she was, still had a vulnerable side to her. And that he’d protect at all cost.
“All I know is there’s something Brice isn’t telling us,” Caydan said, looking at Gia.
“She said she doesn’t know anything,” Roger said in a flat tone. If Caydan pushed the subject, that tone was going to change. Before Caydan tried again, Allyson interjected.
“Maybe it’s the stress of the baby coming that was getting to him?”
Roger nodded. “He freaked out when I told him Lena was in labor.”
“I’m so happy you did. Nothing I said was going to get Lena to go to the hospital. I thought for sure I’d be delivering a baby. Which, by the way, is not a skill I have,” Gia clarified.
“Me either,” Allyson added. “I really thought we’d hear something by now. It sounded like she was going to deliver right away.”
Caydan chimed in, “Brice said the contractions stopped, and they are in the waiting game.”
“Lena told me they missed their family Sunday brunches at her house. Maybe Brice was trying to get us all together as a family for Lena.”
That’s not Brice’s style. By the look on Caydan’s face, he knew that wasn’t it either. Gia was grinning.
“I can see how she would enjoy such a thing. Of course, she’s in no shape to plan it. I’m not sure how your family functions go, but in mine, men are horrible with the details. If it were up to my brother or father to plan, there’d be beer and burgers, in that order.”
Allyson’s eyes became bright. “Gia, you’re a genius.”
“I am?” Gia replied.
“Yes. We’re all in Boston. Why don’t we plan a family reunion?” Allyson asked.
Caydan looked at her and asked, “You’re joking right?”
Allyson shook her head. “No I’m not. The last time we were all together was a year ago for our wedding. This would be great.”
“There’s no way you can take all that on yourself,” Caydan said. Then added, “And I’m not helping.”
“Good, because I wasn’t asking you to. Like Gia said, we want this done right.” Allyson turned to Gia and said, “We can pull this off without their help. But I know my sisters-in-law
will want to get involved too.”
“We?” Gia echoed.
Allyson reached across the table and said, “It was your idea, and everyone is going to want to meet you anyway. What better way than this?”
Roger looked to Gia, who seemed overwhelmed. He could easily get her out of that, but there was a part of him that wanted her to do it. Maybe so he didn’t need to suffer through another Henderson event alone.
Gia looked up at him with pleading in her eyes. Instead he fed her to the wolves. “You’re right, Allyson. If anyone can pull this off with such short notice, it’s this woman.” Because I’ve underestimated her every step and always left in awe.
Gia seemed surprised that he was encouraging her. But then she turned back to Allyson and said, “Just so you know, I’m not a party planner, but I’m organized and that can be a plus.”
Allyson beamed, and Caydan shook his head then said to Roger, “I hope this means you’re staying in Boston for a while. Because I’m not going to be listening to this all by myself.”
Roger looked over to Gia and said, “I have no plans to go anywhere.”
Gia’s eyes softened as she smiled. “Then I guess we have a party to plan.”
“I can’t wait to tell the others. But let’s not do it in Boston. I want someplace the kids can all run around and have fun too.”
“I have a suggestion,” Roger said. “Why don’t you ladies talk about this tomorrow?”
Caydan added, “I second that motion.”
The two women laughed and exchanged phone numbers. It gave Roger the perfect time to make their escape.
“Since you two will be chatting a lot, what do you say you and I head out for some alone time?”
Gia smiled up at him, blushing slightly. “You did promise me dessert.”
Roger’s body tensed, knowing exactly what it was he wanted. She was all the sweet he needed. He turned to Caydan. “Thank you for dinner. Allyson, try and keep him out of trouble while you’re in Boston.”
She placed a hand on Caydan’s arm. “I don’t know. Trouble seems to be his middle name. Just like yours.” Then she said, “I’ll call you tomorrow, Gia.” Giving her a wink, she added, “But not too early.”
Nine Rules of Engagement (Barrington Billionaire's Series Book 9) Page 15
