What's Left of Us
Page 34

Wendy’s crying a little, but she says, “I’m so happy for you two.”
“Thank you so much, Wendy. For everything. You don’t know how much this meant to me. To us. I will forever be grateful for what you’re giving Parker and me. You’ve just given us the best news imaginable.” I end the call after making plans for us to get together soon.
Shannon starts speaking a mile a minute. Everything comes out so fast all I can make out is, “Congratulations.”
I’m wiping my eyes when Parker’s deep voice interrupts us. “Mrs. Jackson, do I need to remind you what the employee handbook says about the use of cellular devices during working hours?”
I look from Shannon to the phone still in my hands. I shake my head, my answer a barely audible, “No.”
Composing myself, I glance his way. His face is one hundred percent serious. I look away. I feel hot and flushed with all the excitement. Parker looks between Shannon and me and I can see the smile he’s trying to hide.
“Good.”
Pushing off the counter, he walks away. When he’s about to round the corner again he stops, turning back to me. “Don’t let me catch you on your phone again. I’d hate to have to take action.” He leaves me to ponder his words.
“Take action?” I mock. “Like what? Fire me?”
Shannon laughs. “That man looked like he wanted to light a fire all right.”
“Oh, shut it.” I giggle.
“That man has it bad for you.”
I nod.
“Why didn’t you tell him, Dre?”
“He caught me off guard.”
“Well, go after the boss man!” she yells, scooting my chair forward.
I move quickly, almost skipping the halls to his office. When he’s not there I go to the lounge.
“Sorry about earlier,” he says, standing up when he sees me enter.
“For threatening me?”
“Threaten? I didn’t threaten.”
“I’d hate to have to take action,” I mock in my best Parker voice.
“Is that what I sound like?”
“Yes.”
He laughs the deep, throaty laugh I love to hear. “I needed to sound authoritative. Did it work?” He’s grinning from ear to ear.
I shake my head. He reaches over and takes my hand.
“I didn’t want Shannon to think I play favorites because you’re my wife. Boss man, huh? I like that. Can we role-play that tonight? You can play the submissive secretary. It’ll be hot.” He waggles his eyebrows.
“This isn’t one of my books, Parker.”
“You’re right. It’s better.”
I laugh and he rubs a single tear lingering in the corner of my eye.
“Hey, you okay?”
“I got a call a little bit ago.”
“From?”
“Wendy.”
I give a weak smile and the tears start to well up again. I nod in confirmation, unable to choke out the words.
Parker’s go soft.
Swallowing, I manage, “We’re going to have a baby.”
“A baby?” Parker chokes. He doesn’t bother clearing his throat or trying to hide his tears.
“Yes.”
A lump forms in my throat. I want to say something, yell, cheer, run around—do something. But, all I can manage is to sit with my husband. I fall into his arms, gripping his shirt.
“How in the world did I get so lucky?” he says.
“You know what?”
“Hmm?” He searches my happy, tear-streaked face and wipes away a tear as it slides down my cheek.
“I’m wondering the same thing.” I’d follow this man anywhere if it meant being together forever.
My hair is sticking to the back of my neck so I twist it into a low side bun. The warm breeze makes its way into the house through the open kitchen windows, cooling me down a little. Birds’ chirping punctuates the silence. It’s the perfect evening to sit out on the deck with a glass of wine and unwind after our busy day.
It’s been one week since we closed on our house.
I stand in our new kitchen, taking it all in, still amazed this house is ours. It’s one of the biggest kitchens I’ve ever seen with top-of-the-line stainless steel appliances, a wet bar built into the center island, a six-burner stove, and a double oven. I can’t cook, but this kitchen makes me want to have Genna give me a few lessons … or ten.
I trace the silver and white swirls in the shiny countertop that feels like glass. I feel weightless as I think of how Parker knew exactly what I’d want. I couldn’t have picked a more perfect home for us.
In the living room, where Genna and Jean are finishing hanging pictures, my favorite sign is displayed next to the front door: He Stole Her Heart, She Stole His Last Name.
Under that is a photo that Genna took moments after Parker and I got engaged. I’m holding my left hand out, grinning up at Parker—who’s giving me a loving smile. The sand is beautiful, the sky is ocean blue, and my hair is blowing wildly. I let myself drift to the memory of that day.
“Come on, Aundrea! Come play with us!” Parker yells. Parker and Jason had a veterinarian conference in West Palm Beach, about thirty minutes from his parents’ place in Jupiter. Genna took it upon herself to declare a vacation.
I look up at his gorgeous smile. He’s standing barefoot in the sand next to Jason with big aviator sunglasses on, and a smile that could melt any girl into a puddle. They’ve been playing Frisbee all morning while Genna and I tan. Actually, while we try to tan. We both tend to turn lobster red rather than golden brown.