“That sounds amazing. Just let me know when and where.” I stand up at the same time as she does, but she runs around her desk, catching me off guard by hugging me.
“I’m very excited about this new venture.”
“Me too,” I mutter into her embrace.
Then, like a tornado, she’s rushing off to a meeting, leading me out to the front door.
The minute I step outside, the weight that’s been on my chest eases. This is huge progress, and the first thing I want to do is tell Adam, but I don’t want to bother him at work.
I decide to walk around. My apartment isn’t terribly far from here, and walking is good for my overall body, or so my doctor says. I feel like a whale, and I’m moving slowly, but I’m doing it.
Ideas ping-pong around my head. One right after the other. How I want the blog to look, what sponsor I want to try to get. All of it is like a perfectly laid out slideshow.
Everything’s coming together. Finally.
A flash of something familiar enters the corner of my eyes. I look over, squinting to see what it was, but all I see is the back of a man in a leather jacket. Nothing seems overtly familiar about him, although I saw a lot of men at Bella’s, so maybe I’m just being paranoid.
My walk continues until I can barely move with how the sciatic pain is shooting down my leg. I hail a cab and make my way the short distance to my apartment. When I get there, Adam is there, waiting outside.
“I gave you a key for a reason.” I smile.
“I know, but I don’t like going in there without you. I always feel like I’m going to scare the baby out of you.”
That makes me laugh harder. “What the hell?”
“I don’t know. Just … ignore me.”
“Never.” I continue to laugh as I open the door. “Aren’t you supposed to be working?”
“I am, but I got sidetracked by some visitors.”
“Oh, really? From the case?” I ask, dropping my keys and purse by the front door.
“Nope. My sisters.”
“They’re here? All of them?” I ask, spinning around.
“All four of them and my niece.” He runs his hand on the back of his neck.
“Oh my gosh, how fun! You have to spend time with them!” I don’t think anything of it.
“I will. But …”
After grabbing a drink from the fridge, I look at him curiously. “But what?”
“They’re here to meet you,” he mumbles so I can barely hear him.
“Come again?” My head tilts.
“They want to meet you.” He sighs like it’s a terrible thing.
Hell, if Charlie was here, I’d absolutely want him to meet Adam.
Another thing I miss about Charlie, that he doesn’t get to experience any of our growing family.
“I’d love that,” I tell him honestly.
“They’re a lot.”
