Page 22 of Untroubled Heart

ME:

Must have been because Uncle Mason rocked her to sleep last night. All the girls love me.

“Pfft. If it had been me, she would have slept six hours.” My sister rolls her eyes. “She’s named after me, so obviously, I’m her favourite.”

“It’s her middle name, and she doesn’t know that,” I argue.

“Of course she does. She’s very advanced.” Beth takes a sip from the coffee she’s just finished making.

“Is that what Dad always told you, and that’s why you have such a big head?”

“It’s nowhere near as big as yours, grandmama’s boy.”

My hand clutches my chest as I gasp. No one insults my grandma.

“Is that your niece again?” Callie asks as she comes to stand between Beth and me to fill her drink bottle at the water cooler.

“Isn’t she beautiful?” Beth holds her phone up to Callie. She smiles softly as she takes in my niece, and my eyes fall to that freckle that sits just on the edge of her lip, right next to the cupid’s bow.

“She sure is.”

“Do you have any photos of your daughter?” Beth asks.

“Of course.” Callie tightens the lid on her drink bottle, then retrieves her phone from her back pocket, bringing up her camera roll.

I glance over her shoulder and catch sight of a little girl with the same sapphire blue eyes as her mum. Dark hair and chubby cheeks, plus the biggest smile on her face. She’s freaking adorable.

“What was her name again?” Beth asks.

“Navie,” I say, a hot flush coming over me as both women’s attention falls on me. I clear my throat, grateful that the microwave finishes and gives me an excuse to step away. “Do you want—”

I’m about to ask Callie if she wants to sit with Beth and me when Josh speaks at the same time. “I saved you a seat, Callie.”

She looks like a deer caught in headlights as she looks between Josh and me.

“It’s all good. I’ll see you back upstairs.” Hopefully, she assumes I was going to ask her something work-related instead of inviting her to sit with me for lunch. I’m sure she wouldn’t agree, anyway. She probably sees enough of me.

I divide the food between two bowls, one for me and one for Beth, as Callie walks off with Josh, then I take a seat at the nearest table.

“Why don’t you take Callie next time?” Beth says, dropping into the chair across from me.

“Take Callie where?”

“To look at houses.” She blows on a forkful of rice. “She’s your assistant, and I’m resigning. You’re too fussy.”

“Seriously? I’m the fussy one.”

“I have standards that are frequently unmet. That’s both different and not my fault.”

“So I’m fussy and don’t have standards? Wow.” I shake my head as my eyes stray across the room, and I watch Josh pull out a chair for Callie.

He’s just being friendly. She told him she’s not dating. Which is perfect cos I don’t date at all. And I definitely don’t get crushes or fuck around with my employees.

I think Beth was onto something. It’s the rejection. My poor, sensitive ego doesn’t know any better. It’s better this way, though. This is how I keep her in the off-limits box.

Josh says something, and she laughs. Her eyes crinkle, and the apples of her cheeks grow pink, and it’s all for him.

Okay, I hate this.