Page 47 of The Homewrecker's Fate

“No, thanks. I’d rather drive myself.”

“Should you be driving at all.” He tipped his head toward my burgeoning belly. At 33-weeks, I had popped in a big way and there was no hiding the fact that I’d be bringing another human into the world soon.

“My doctor has not suggested that I do otherwise. I’m perfectly healthy.”

“Okay, well, I guess we’ll see you tonight.”

I nodded and waited for Rich to leave before I pulled out my phone.

Avi: Need you to be my plus one for a work dinner thing tonight. Rich will be there.

Brax: You can’t get out of it.

Avi: Unfortunately, no.

Brax: I will be there and remain professional, let’s hope he does as well.

Avi: I have bail money, just in case.

Brax: Smart woman. Send me the details and I’ll see you later, sweetheart.

Braxton met me outside of the office just before seven so that we could drive to Tillerman’s together. It was an upscale restaurant, but we were both fine in our business attire. My pregnant body certainly wasn’t fitting in any of my old formalwear. “This was very last minute.”

“The invitation was extended by Rich, who conveniently offered to drive me over there.”

“That doesn’t sound suspect at all,” Brax commented.

“Now you know why I asked you to be my plus one. I made it a point to ask Rich if Mr. Sanderson was bringing his wife along. When he said he thought so, it made sense that we could bring our significant others as well.”

“I always said you were a smart lady, Aviva.”

It did not surprise either of us when we arrived at Tillerman’s and were promptly seated at a table where Rich was the only other occupant. “Aviva, when I told you about the dinner, it wasn’t an invitation to bring whomever you wanted with you.”

“Why not?” I asked as Braxton pulled my chair out for me. “You said that Mr. Sanderson was bringing his wife, I thought that meant we were all able to bring a date.”

Rich’s cheeks took on a noticeable red tone. “Mitch sent a message that they were running a little behind, but should be here soon.”

When the waitress stopped by our table, I quickly ordered an iced water. Once she was gone, I glanced longingly at the food on the tables nearest ours. “I hope he’s not too long; I’m starving and haven’t had anything since lunch.”

“Here,” Brax pulled an energy bar out of his pocket and offered it up to me.

“Oh my God! You are a lifesaver!” I ripped into the bar and closed my eyes, humming my pleasure as the first bite went down.

“You go around with energy bars filling out your pockets often?” Rich asked in a snide tone that made it all too obvious he was accusing Brax of needing the extra padding in his pants.

“I carry them whenever I’m out with Aviva because her blood sugar tends to drop if she’s gone too long without eating. I figured, since you told her at the last minute about a dinner that wasn’t happening until 7:30, that she wouldn’t have eaten anything in a while.”

Rich didn’t bother responding and instead watched me as I polished off the last of the bar Brax had given me. “Thank you. That was my favorite one, too.” His genuine smile in response warmed my heart.

“I know. You didn’t like the apple pie one, but you choose blueberry every time it’s a flavor option.”

“Aren’t you an attentive asshole?” Rich asked just as a woman behind him said, “Isn’t that sweet, Mitch? Aviva’s man pays such close attention to her needs that he even realized she was craving a specific fruit.”

Rich flushed red with embarrassment again as he stood to welcome Mr. Sanderson and his wife.

“Sorry we’re late,” Mitch apologized as he helped his wife, who he introduced as Brenda, into her seat.

“Sorry I had to nibble on something before you got here.”

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