Page 31 of It Must Be Love

"Well that explains the I have jet lag and don't want to drink excuse." I patted him on his shoulder. "Congratulations. This is amazing news."

"I can't believe I got this lucky. You know Ann wants a baby?"

I did. She'd mentioned it several times, asking me why I insisted on wearing a condom when she was on the pill and was it because I didn't trust her. I did trust her, but I wanted the double protection. I didn't want to take a chance when I didn't know if we were going to make the long haul. I didn't want to end up like my brother, not seeing my kid grow up.

"Jackson, I heard about the merger you guys were involved in," Nolan interrupted our conversation.

Jackson picked up his glass of wine and raised it in a toast. "Yeah, man, it's a big deal and I'm excited about it."

"You're like a power couple," Kara commented. "You're a CEO and Chérie is a famous editor."

There was envy in her voice, and we could all hear it. Kara wasn't good at hiding her green. She showed it whenever she was at one of our homes or someone was wearing a designer dress, bag, or jewelry. I didn't care what someone's social status was. Friends were friends. I wasn't like my parents or Ann. Remarkably, Ann was friends with Kara, but I think it was an unequal relationship where Kara looked at Ann with reverence, and my girlfriend loved having a little pet she could jerk around. It was a callous thing to think, but it was true. Nolan, who was always enthralled by money, seemed to have found someone worse than him, and together they were chasing social standing that sometimes came across as desperate. I wished he could see how good his life already was. Or maybe I thought such things because money wasn't an issue for me.

"If you need someone in finance," Nolan said to Jackson, "Keep me in mind, I'm looking for the next step in my career."

Jackson nodded. "Sure, man. Absolutely. Let me get my head of HR to connect with you."

Jackson was a good guy. He'd happily help Nolan find a job in his company. I'd sent a few recruiters his way, but nothing had worked out.

"So, I hear you're off to a chalet for Christmas," Kara said, her eyes bright.

"I'm so excited," Ann said. "Amias, your mother told me it's a huge place and if we wanted to bring friends we should."

Crap! Now she wanted to bring along Kara and Nolan, and god knew who else. Already, it was a shit show with my parents. But their place was huge and fully staffed; we could all fit in and then some without a problem.

"I'll check with Vivianna." Ann waved a hand as if to dismiss me.

I knew my mother would say bring your friends because she was, as was Ann, expecting me to propose and would love to already have the house full for an engagement party. She probably had a photographer on tap to come by and get some good shots for the society pages.

"Oh, this will be amazing, am I right, Nolan?" Kara clapped her hands like a child. Nolan smiled and nodded. "Yeah and—" Suddenly his face fell.

I turned around to see what had brought such a shift in his expression and saw Naya with Darren. Her eyes were red rimmed. Her hair was loose around her shoulders. I'd never seen that before, she always tied it up.

I pushed my chair out and rose. "Hi, Naya," I said politely.

She looked like she'd seen a ghost and Darren looked like he wanted to punch someone.

"Darren," I nodded at him.

"Amias," he said gruffly.

"Ah…would you like to join us?" I asked politely. Naya looked heartbroken and I resisted the urge to put an arm around her. The pain in her eyes was difficult to see.

Naya continued to stare shell-shocked at Nolan who looked guilty as hell. Kara's face contorted in dismissal and shame.

"Ah…no thanks," Naya replied softly.

Darren pulled out a car key. "Sparky, why don't you go to the car, I'll join you. I just need the restroom."

"Hi, Naya," Ann chimed. "You're all dressed up."

I wish Ann would shut the hell up.

Naya did look different. She was in her usual black but in a long dress and loose hair, she looked different…good.

"Yes, all dressed up," she said huskily before turning around and leaving the restaurant.

Jackson got up and held his hand out at Darren. "Jackson Bolten. I'm a big fan."

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