Empty Net
Page 20

 Toni Aleo

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“What’s wrong?” Audrey asked looking back at Piper.
“Nothing,” Piper said looking away. Audrey looked down at her until she looked up. When she did, Audrey saw the hurt in her eyes.
“Who is that?”
“Erik Titov, Jakob’s brother.”
“Oh, do you not like him?” Audrey asked confused. She hadn’t met Erik yet, but she had heard of him, and everything was good. He was apparently a great guy, quiet, but nice.
Piper shook her head sadly, “More like totally in love with him, but he wants nothing to do with me. He wants Reese.”
Audrey’s heart broke. She knew what it was like to lust after a guy who wanted her sister. She had lived it growing up. Thankfully, she really didn’t have that problem anymore. Audrey took Piper’s hand in hers, and squeezed.
“He doesn’t deserve you.”
Piper gave Audrey a watery smile before nodding, “Excuse me.”
Audrey let her leave and when a waiter passed with a tray full of champagne, she took one. She didn’t know what was up with Piper and Erik but she planned to find out. She would give Piper some time before she forced it out of her. She would need cupcakes and maybe some vodka. Piper was a lush when it came to vodka.
Audrey only stood for another minute alone when she noticed Shea and Elli Adler making their way towards her. Elli look amazing and round in a sweet light green maternity dress that brought out the green of her eyes. Her hair was long and curly, her make up done lightly. Shea looked dashing in his fitted black suit with his geeky black glasses and trusty Chucks on. In his arms, he held his beautiful bundle of pink while Elli held baby Shelli on her hip. Shelli was also wearing a cute little green dress, with her curly hair in two little pigtails. She was the cutest little thing, looking just like her daddy.
“Hey guys!” Audrey exclaimed before hugging and kissing all four of them, “aren’t y’all the cutest little family ever.”
Elli smiled sweetly as she leaned into Shea, “Thanks, Audrey. You look spectacular.”
Audrey smiled, swooshing her dress from side to side as her cheeks became hot, “Aw, thanks, Elli.”
Shea smiled, his arms snaking around Elli, bringing her closer to him, “Beautiful wedding,” he said with a grin.
“It is. How is everything?”
Elli nodded, “Good, even if I feel bigger than a house.”
Shea rolled his eyes while Audrey smiled, “I think you look beautiful, Elli.”
“I feel like Octomom or something,” she grumbled with a grumpy look on her face.
“Well you sure don’t look it. You look amazing.”
Elli smiled before shrugging her shoulders, “Thanks but I didn’t come over here for you to gush over me. I came to gush over you.”
Audrey giggled, “What about?”
“I wanted to suck up to you so you would do me a huge favor,” Elli said shyly.
“What is it?” Audrey asked, intrigued. Elli hardly ever asked Audrey for things. But really, what would the owner of the Assassins need from a customer service rep? Whenever Elli needed anything wine wise, she would call Fallon.
“I know this is short notice but I totally forgot. I was wondering if you could make cupcakes for Shelli’s birthday party this weekend. My pregnancy brain is on overload and I know I should have asked a long time ago, but I’m an idiot and you know I hate store bought ones and I love yours.”
“Jeez, Elli, ahh, you’re rambling kills me!” Audrey giggled as Shea laughed.
“Me too,” he said with a grin. Elli cut him a look before looking over at Audrey.
“I’m sorry but could you help me out?”
“Of course, email me what you need, and I’ll bring ‘em with me when I come for the party with Aiden.”
“Awesome, you’re a life saver. Thank you.” Next thing Audrey knew she was wrapped in a big hug from Elli. When they backed away Elli said, “Give AA kisses, Shelli.” Shelli leaned towards Audrey; drooling all over her face in what Shelli probably thought was a kiss. Audrey dusted kisses all over the pretty baby’s face before Elli pulled away with a big grin on her face. Audrey’s eyes started to fill as her eyes stayed locked with Shelli’s. She wanted a little person who would give her drooly kisses all the time.
Audrey blinked back the tears, grinning widely before saying, “Sure thing, y’all know I love you.”
Shea and Elli smiled as they nodded, “We love you, thanks, babe.”
With that the Adler family walked away, leaving Audrey all alone again. On the bright side though, she was going to get to make a lot of cupcakes and that would be fun. Ideas started to fill her head as she continued to drink her champagne and watch as Aiden and Fallon did the running man on the dance floor. Lucas was laughing so hard he couldn’t stand upright. They were a mess, she thought with a shake of her head. Even with them being a mess, she wished she had her own mess of a family. The man who would love her for forever, the one who would make her forget her past. The one who would make every single piece of shit she had dealt with worth it because he was there. He was holding her. He was loving her. And only her.
Where the hell was he?
“Well, hey there, beautiful.”
Audrey looked over to her left to see the guy she had left, not a week ago. Audrey took in a quick breath as her eyes met his. Holy moly! How the hell did he find her?! Even in her state of shock, she couldn’t help but take in the fact that he looked positively scrumptious with his big blue eyes and long blonde hair in his eyes. That was probably the reason she slept with him. He was beautiful.