by T L Osborn
“I’ll miss her too, but I need to be with my family as well.”
“I’m looking forward to meeting them. It’ll be great to finally meet your brothers.”
“You’re meeting Steph too, my best friend.”
“This is the same best friend who’s in love with your twin brother but thinks nobody knows, right?” I question.
She gives me a smile as we step out onto the 30th floor. “Look at you, listening to what I said. Yes, the same best friend. But please don’t mention that you’re aware of them being in love. They’ll start an argument.” She walks over to her desk and places her coffee down, taking her seat. “Enjoy your first day back, Mr Billington.”
As I step into my office, I’m immediately aware of something being out of place. The room is a mess, an absolute mess. Bloody James has been using my office.
“Aria…uh, I mean Miss Thompson. Can you tell me whether or not James plans on cleaning up my office?” I turn to face her.
“James hasn’t been using it, but a Mr Royce Billington has, and I believe he’s planning on coming in today to bring you up to speed with what’s happening here,” she explains.
I place my coffee down on her desk. “Don’t even think about drinking it,” I say as I march over to James’s office and burst through the door. He’s sitting behind his desk, reading over his own reports, feet on his desk as he leans back in his chair and sipping coffee.
He glances up at me. “Welcome back.”
“Why didn’t you tell me Uncle Royce has been here?” I ask.
“He was here like one day, helping out around here, sorting your office out, and just keeping this place running since you weren’t able to.”
“James, I’m not stupid. I know he’s been here longer than one day,” I gripe, closing his door.
“All right, he made me swear not to tell you, but I think mum spoke to him about you and Aria. I think she’s convinced him that perhaps you’re not ready for the role of CEO here and that you’re too distracted by a ‘certain slut’—the term I believe mother used.”
“Our bloody interfering mother. I can do both, be CEO and a loving boyfriend. I’ll show her.”
He raises an eyebrow. “Loving boyfriend? Didn’t think you knew how to love anything except your own mirror.”
“That’s you, bro. You’re the one in love with your reflection,” I argue, opening his office door.
“Hey, it’s good to have you back. This place hasn’t been the same without you,” he says.
“Thanks, now get back to work. We have a company to run.” I exit his office, grinning like an idiot the entire way back to my office.
I’m in love with Aria.
Aria
“Girl, it’s going to be fine,” Steph says, as I pace back and forth between the lounge and dining room. Simon is coming over today with Charlotte for the first time to meet my family and saying I’m a nervous wreck would be an understatement.
“Ugh! Steph, it’s weird. I’m more nervous for him to meet Toby and Jacob than I have been with any ex before.”
“Because this one has the potential to go long term and you’ve admitted to us you’re in love with him,” she points out.
“Aria, it’s going to be fine. We’re either going to like him or bury him in the back garden,” Toby says as he grips my shoulders, shaking me lightly. I really hope he doesn’t bury my boyfriend in the backyard.
I give my brother a horrified look. “You wouldn’t.”
“He wouldn’t, but I might,” Jacob says.
A knock on the door causes me to jump.
“I’ll get it,” Toby announces with a cheeky grin. He approaches the door and opens it, looking Simon up and down. “The flowers are lovely, but I’m more of an orchid fan myself.”
“Toby, would you let him in,” I gripe.
He shoots me a grin. “Oh, wait a moment. This is Simon?” He points to the door. “Sorry about that. Thought you were a flower deliveryman. I’m Toby,” he says, holding out his hand for Simon to shake. “Hold it. Who’s this pretty girl you have here?”
“I Charlotte,” she says.
“A pleasure to meet you, Miss Charlotte.”
“Daddy, can I see Ari now?” she asks impatiently.
“Sure,” Simon replies, putting her down, and she comes racing over to me.
“Simon, let me introduce Stephanie, my best friend, and my twin brother, Jacob,” I say as Charlotte snuggles into me.
Simon comes over. “Nice to meet you finally, Jacob. Aria talks about you nonstop.”
Jacob, to my surprise, shakes Simon’s hand without hesitation. “How are you doing?” he asks.
“I’m great, and yourself?”
“Not too bad,” Jake tells him.
“Simon, can I offer you a beer, wine, whiskey? Or of course there’s coffee, tea, milo, or orange juice,” Toby proposes.
“You’re offering him our whiskey?” Jake asks a little sulkily.
“I’m not offering him ours. I’m offering him mine. There’s a difference, little brother.” Toby chuckles.
“A beer will be fine,” Simon replies, taking a seat on the couch.
“Wine for you ladies, I assume?” Toby asks me and Steph.
“Yes, please,” we chorus in unison.
“Miss Charlotte, can I get you a drink?” he asks her, and she snuggles against me shyly as I take a seat on the couch next to Simon.
“Do you want a water, princess?” Simon asks her. She nods against me. “Water please, Toby.”
“Aria says you’re a policeman, Toby,” Simon begins, making conversation as Toby hands him his beer.
“Sure am. Going on nearly twelve years now with the force. I’m still loving it every day.”
“Jacob, you’re in the army. Is that correct?” Simon asks.
“Yeah, sure am,” Jake says.
“Neither of them is allowed to talk about their job, but I can tell you all about mine,” Steph says.
“Steph, I don’t think Simon would like to hear about wedding dresses and girly crap,” Toby tells her.
“She doesn’t just do wedding dresses. She’s branching out into tuxedos, ball gowns, and mother of the bride stuff too, Toby,” Jacob chimes in, and we all look at him, surprised by his outburst. “What?” he asks, as he takes a swig of his beer.
“Just surprised you’ve been listening to me, J,” Steph murmurs.
“I always listen to you, Steph.”
“Anyway, Simon, I’m a dress designer, mainly wedding stuff so far. But as you just heard, I’m branching out.”
“That’s cool. Well, let me know when you’re ready for a buyer of the tuxedos and I’ll be in your store. I’ll recommend you to friends and customers I know,” he tells her.
She practically swoons. “You’d do that for me?”
“Sure,” he says, taking a drink of his beer. Toby brings over the wine for Steph and me, along with Charlotte’s water in a Disney princess mug.
“Is this for me?” she asks, looking at me.
“Yeah, I found it today and bought it while I was out. You can take it home with you tonight if you like,” I tell her.
“Thank you, Ari. I wuv it,” she says, as she eagerly drinks.
I sit sipping my wine as Toby engages Simon in conversation that ends up with my boyfriend being dragged out to the garage for a game of pool. I hope it goes well and they don’t go through with their threat.
Simon
“You can probably tell we didn’t bring you out here for fun,” Toby says, as he begins to set up a game of pool. “You’re here because we want to find out your intentions with Aria, and we aren’t about to do it in front of Aria or Charlotte.”
“Okay, ask away, or haze me if you need,” I reply.
Toby chuckles. “Trust me, I think Jake here would take pleasure in hazing you, but we aren’t going to.”
“Are you still a playboy?” Jake asks, getting right to the point.
“No, I gave that bit
up at Christmas last year,” I reply.
“Why?” he prompts, taking a sip of his beer.
“I woke up next to some blonde bimbo whose name I didn’t remember and couldn’t be bothered knowing, and I was tired of the ruse. I stood in the shower and wondered if I was over the game and skirt chasing. When I stepped out the bathroom and looked at the woman still asleep in bed, I remembered we’d literally had sex once and she was done. I left her $200 and made my way out of there. My daughter needed a daddy, and I wasn’t doing what I should’ve been.”
“The other women you’ve been seen with in the magazines since this so-called abstinence of sex, were they flings?”
“They were arm candy, nothing more. Never taken to bed. Believe me, they tried, and I’d usually point them in the direction of my brother. I just wanted to go home, especially on a weekend, and be with Charlotte.”
“Are you a cheat?” Toby asks, lining up to take the first shot and break the balls.
“No, never have and never will. I believe in honesty with your partner,” I reply.
“How will you treat her as a wife? We want to know if she’ll be treated the way she deserves and looked after. Let’s face it; the girls are in the house discussing wedding plans now,” Jake grumbles.
“Steph will already be designing the dresses.” Toby chuckles.
“Truth is, I don’t know how I’d treat her as a wife. I don’t know if I ever want to remarry,” I say. I step up to the table to take my shot. “After the way my deceased wife treated me, I was relieved to be free.”
“How did your deceased wife treat you?” Toby asks.
“Like shit, like a personal ATM who would give sex whenever she demanded it. Yes, she hit me more than once leaving scratch marks and bruises. She’d always say sorry and that she didn’t mean it and things would be great—until next time. So, I’m not sure about marrying again. My first go at it wasn’t exactly happy.”
“So you’re dating her without the intention of marrying her?” Jake lowers his brows.
“Let him explain further,” Toby chides.
“Don’t get me wrong. I love your sister, and she treats me far better than I deserve. However, remarriage has never crossed my mind, because after Clarissa died, women served one purpose for me—sex. They were never worthy of anything more, because I didn’t want it. Now that I’ve met Aria, believe me, I’m changing my mind about everything I thought I knew about love. She crashed into my life, and things have been awesome since.”
“So you’re in love with Aria?” Toby clarifies, and I shoot him a grin. Toby looks to Jacob. “Well that’s good enough for me. What about you, Jake?”
“I have just one more question.”
“What would you like to know?” I ask.
“Are you ever going to hit that ball so we can finish this game?” Jake snarks with a grin.
I look down to realise I haven’t actually taken the shot yet, so I hit the ball and knock two into the pockets.
“Show-off,” Toby mumbles.
“I take that to mean I’m okay to keep dating Aria?” I ask.
“You can but be warned. You ever fucking hurt her, I’ll kick your ass,” Jacob tells me.
“Duly noted,” I reply. “Your interrogation was rather easy.”
“Well, we ran every idea past Aria, and she didn’t like them. Believe us, you don’t want to see that angry.”
“I’ve yet to experience Aria being mad.”
“She’s like a fucking gremlin. One minute, she’s sweet and cute. The next, she’s in a full rampage throwing shit and running around the house pissed as hell like you fed her after midnight.”
“Reminds me of someone else I know. Her name is Charlotte, and she can throw the tantrum of the century if she doesn’t get what she wants.”
The garage door opens, and Steph pokes her head in. “Two things. Dinner is ready, and Aria is making sure he’s still alive.”
“Alive and kicking,” I tell Steph with a chuckle.
“We’ll be in shortly. Just want to finish this game,” Toby says.
“Now!” Steph says, closing the door.
“Gremlins, both of them.” Jacob chuckles.
We make our way inside, and dinner smells amazing as it wafts through the house. My stomach growls, demanding to be fed the awesome food.
“You made lasagne. Thanks, sis.” Toby pulls up a chair next to Charlotte, who’s gobbling it down.
I slide my arms around Aria, pulling her close and kissing her temple. “Dinner looks awesome, honey.”
“Thanks. Charlotte seems to like it,” she observes.
“Come on, Simon. Eat so we can finish the pool game.”
I take a seat next to Charlotte as Aria brings me over a plate. I begin to eat it as she and Steph join us. I sit watching everyone and decide on two things. We’re having a big family meeting, and Aria is an awesome cook. Charlotte surprises me by asking for more dinner and eating it too.
I gobble down my meal, and sigh as I sit back. “That was amazing.” I get up, help take the plates to the bench, and begin rinsing them off for her.
“I like this guy. He helps clean up,” Toby says from behind me.
“How would you all like to come to my house next weekend? I’m having a family BBQ and would like you all to be there,” I offer.
“Yeah, we’ll come,” the brothers say.
“Does that include me, Simon?” Steph asks.
“Of course it does,” I reply.
We stay for another few hours, and by the time I’m leaving, Charlotte is asleep on my shoulder. I give Aria a quick kiss by the door and exit through it. Along the drive home, I think about Aria and what her brothers said about remarriage. I haven’t thought about it before, and there’s only one person who would stand in my way.
My mother.
Chapter Twenty
Aria
We slip into a comfortable pattern where we stay together either at my place or Simon’s. Jacob even did up the bedroom across the hall from mine just for Charlotte to sleep in, so she wasn’t sleeping on the floor of my room. Secretly, I think he enjoyed painting it pink and putting the decorations on the walls. It gave him something to do around the house rather than moping. Tonight, we are at my place. Charlotte has just gone to bed, with Jacob reading her Beauty and the Beast.
“How the hell you read that book every night is beyond me,” he grumbles as he comes back downstairs.
“I don’t need the book anymore. I know it that well.” Simon chuckles, his chest rumbling beneath my head. His phone starts to ring on the coffee table and I pick it up, handing it to him. “Oh, it’s my mother. Let’s see what she wants.” He takes the phone call down to the end of the hallway.
“We have to admit, Aria. This time, you chose a good man,” Toby says.
“Yeah, sis. Maybe you should’ve gone after a solo dad before now.” Jacob laughs.
“I do like this one.”
“You can tell us you love him, you know,” Toby assures, but the conversation abruptly ends as Simon returns.
“Everything all right?” Jake asks.
“Yeah, that was just about her yearly Christmas party. For the first time ever, she had the balls to ask me not to bring a date. My sister is never allowed to bring a date until she snaps out of this ‘lesbian phase’ as my mother calls it.” He laughs.
“You’re going to attend, aren’t you?” I ask as he joins me back on the couch.
“Of course, and you’re coming with me,” he replies.
“But she said you can’t take anyone.”
“I’m not taking just anyone. I’m taking my girlfriend, and my mother can suck it up and deal with it,” he says. “Do you think Steph can design you a unique dress?”
“I’m sure she’d love to do it.”
“Tell her something in red, long, and flowing, a few sparkles on the top half, and I’d like to approve it first,” Simon tells me.
I grab my cell and type out a text.
I show him the text before I send it off. He nods in agreement.
Steph: Sure thing. I’ll get started on the design today. I’m super excited to help out.
“Excellent, now ask her to make me a tie to match your dress colour.”
Me: He now wants a tie to match my dress colour.
Steph: I already assumed he’d want that.
I laugh as I show him the text, and then announce, “Right, you lot. It’s late and I’m heading to bed.”
“Reading another book, no doubt,” Jacob says.
“Not if I have any say in it,” Simon replies.
“Eww, please don’t let us hear you,” Toby retorts.
I poke my tongue out as I get off Simon, and he clasps my hand as he gets up too. We walk up to my room holding hands. Once I’m ready for bed, I climb in beside him. “We really need a bigger bed, babe. You’re almost too long for it.”
He chuckles. “I don’t mind. It’s usually only one or two nights we are here; otherwise, we’re at my place.”
I snuggle into him. “So, your mother’s Christmas party. What is it like?”
“Usually boring as hell. I swear she invites all her high society friends and their daughters and sons in the hope that Mel, James, and I might find a match. We spend much of the night talking amongst the three of us. There’s no business talk allowed at these parties, which some of her guests voice to me and James afterwards is appalling, because sometimes it’s the only time they get to talk to us about making any kind of deal.”
“Is it wrong if I tell you I’m nervous?”
“Don’t be, honey. You’ll be the most beautiful girl in the room.”
“Except Charlotte. She’s always the most beautiful girl in the room.”
“You’re the most beautiful girl in this room right now,” he says, as I roll over to snuggle into him.
