Page 90 of Embracing the Change

“Tom and I are coming back in a couple of days. I’ll let you know when we decide, and we’ll get together after we’re back.”

“All right, dear. I’ll see you then.”

“So happy for you, Nora.”

There was a grave depth of feeling in my, “I am too, Mika.”

“Love you,” she whispered.

“And I you,” I returned.

We rang off.

I finished my makeup, rose, and went into my massive closet.

Alyona was in there, moving things around.

At this affront to my meticulous closet organization, I arched my brows in query.

“I’m doing Mister Jamie’s laundry, but when it’s done, he’ll need space.”

I fought grinning like an idiot.

But I had a feeling, when I saw the light hit her eyes, I didn’t quite hide that urge.

Alyona left, and I dressed, then reached for my Saint Laurent, black patent, slimline, small sac shoulder bag.

I switched out what was needed, found Alyona to confirm dinner plans and times, and then I headed out to peruse proper baby stores, upon which I arranged the shipment of a few things for JT.

Jamie sat back in his chair and roared with laughter.

Regardless of how handsome he looked doing it, and how attractive it sounded, I frowned at him.

He continued to laugh.

I forked off a small wedge of puff pastry, salmon and cream sauce and put it in my mouth.

Jamie eventually got control of himself and returned to his own food.

But he did it muttering, “I cannot believe you sent seven thousand dollars-worth of baby things to Judge and Chloe.”

“Darling, I hate to inform you of this, but…we’re rich,” I returned. “Being so means we can do things like that.”

Humor was still infusing his striking face as he speared one of Alyona’s delectable, buttery, herbed new potatoes, and he said, “Yes, sweetheart, but that doesn’t mean we should.”

“Your son is very concerned about waste, or the environment, or,”—I flicked my fork out nonchalantly—“whatever young people worry about nowadays. They’ll use it all, then they’ll find someone else who can do so. I mean, we are going to the grand opening of a store this weekend where everything in it will have been previously owned.” I gave a subtle shiver. “That whole generation does that kind of thing. Someone has to keep the economy flourishing.”

“Fuck, you’re something,” Jamie said warmly, his amusement still on the surface, as well as in his words.

I loved his words, affect, and tone.

I carried on eating, that contented feeling in my belly purring, and did it sharing, “Alyona made space for you in my closet.”

“Do I need to order a medal to be engraved, give her a bonus, or both?” Jamie teased.

I rolled my eyes.

Jamie ate more potatoes, his own eyes twinkling.

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