I’m just about to get behind the wheel of my car when he gingerly pushes me out of the way and motions for me to take the passenger seat.
“Are you serious?” I laugh.
“Hey, I promised Cole I’d look after you when they’re not around. I intend to keep that promise. Now get in.”
“Don’t you have a mood board to complete today? We made all those printouts and color scheme options,” I reply, but I’m already walking around the front of the car to ride shotgun, touched by my best friend’s loyalty and devotion.
He shakes his head. “That can wait. Come on. I’ll stay in the car and take some calls or answer some emails while you talk to them.”
“You’re amazing, Jamie.”
“And don’t I know it.”
The ride to Thornwood Manor is rather quick and uneventful, but my enthusiasm is cut short when I walk into the house, and Ian regretfully informs me that the Morgan brothers aren’t here.
“I thought they’d be the first through the door to see their dad,” I reply, somewhat confused. I briefly check my phone.
“They’ve been notified,” Ian replies. “Would you like to wait for them? I can call them and let them know.”
“Ah, no, don’t call them,” I chuckle lightly. “I’m trying to surprise them. Did you speak to them at all today?”
Ian nods once. “Earlier, yes. They weren’t sure when they’d be able to pop in. They only mentioned that they had some work to do in Hoboken.”
It has to be something personal or perhaps related to Toby’s projects. I know one of his bike shops is in that area.
“You’re welcome to wait for them here, though,” Ian insists with a soft smile.
“I might…”
But I lose that thought quickly when Terrence and Katrina come down the main stairs, looking like something out of a modern rendition ofThe Great Gatsby. Katrina glows in a wintry sequined cocktail dress, while Terrence looks sharp in his dark grey suit, both casting different sets of smiles at me.
“Ah, look what the cat dragged in,” Terrence quips.
“On second thought, Ian, I think I’ll head over to Toby’s bike shop. I’m pretty sure I’ll find them there,” I mutter and give Ian a curt nod before I head for the door.
The last thing I need is an interaction with the most miserable couple on earth. No amount of sequin or glitter or Italian leather can mask their unhappiness. It’s written all over their faces, whether they wish to admit it or not, and I’m too happy with what I’m about to do to let them ruin my day.
“So we’re not on speaking terms anymore,” Terrence laughs.
“Leave her, honey,” Katrina replies. “She’s probably busy running around with her business and whatnot.”
“Willow? Running? Hah, that’s rich.”
And there it is. The one aggression that stops me in my tracks, just as I was about to head out the door. Maybe it’s the pregnancy hormones, maybe it’s the fact that I no longer can stand Terrence, not even a little bit. Whatever it is, it’s enough to make me spin on my heels to face the couple.
“Say that again, Terrence,” I challenge him.
“Say what?”
He seems surprised, almost as if he doesn’t know what to do next. He wasn’t expecting a rebuttal. I guess he thought he was going to laugh some more while I walked out the door.
“What you just said, you coward. Say it again, but to my face and not hiding behind your wife’s skirt,” I reply bluntly.
Katrina frowns. She looks like she’s about to say something, but my glare advises her to stay out of it. To my relief, she chooses silence and takes a step back while Terrence steps closer, cocky and self-assured as ever.
“You’re not the running type. What’s wrong with that?” he says.
“There’s nothing wrong with that. There’s something wrong with the way you said it,” I shoot back. “And I think it’s time we had a chat on this topic.”
