Page 15 of Our Little Wedding

“Okay, okay,” Carly said, shoving her hand back into the bag of chips.

Spencer

One week later

It was already after six when I made my way across the parking lot to my car. I shoved my laptop bag and the pile of reports I still needed to go over in the back seat and climbed in, starting the engine. I was about to back out of the spot when my phone vibrated. I pulled it from my breast pocket to see that my brother Max had texted. Instead of responding, I dialed his number and waited while his voice came over the line.

“You got my email?” Max questioned.

“I did. Haven’t looked at the attachment yet. I’m just on my way home.”

“Gotcha. Well, first I’d like to say that I’m sorry I couldn’t make it to the engagement thing. You know how it is.”

I let out a breath. “No, Max, I don’t know how it is.”

“Well, you know, things just sort of crept up.” He chuckled.

I frowned. “Things sort of crept up?” I repeated. “Let me guess, a woman?”

I knew my brother well—too well, to be honest.

“Yeah, and the situation, it was, shall we say, unavoidable? Besides, it was only an engagement party. It’s not like it was an enormous deal, like the wedding.”

This was Max. However, it was a big deal. It was a big deal to both Ainsley and me. I cleared my throat and thought a moment before speaking. “Max, you know, the least you could do is show a little support. Especially since I just handed you an enormous opportunity, basically on a silver platter. I gave you the reins to oversee the Denver office, when it should have gone to one of my senior executives working right under me. I pride myself on promoting and hiring from within first. Instead, I somehow took pity on my brother, who’s fucked up more than the average person, only to have him spit in my face.”

“Come on, Spencer, I didn’t spit in your face.” Max huffed.

“Whatever, Max. You didn’t even send back the RSVP.” I didn’t really have the energy to deal with this phone call right now. I was tired and hungry and still had a few hours of work to complete before the meeting tomorrow morning. “Listen, I’ll call you in the morning. Be prepared to go over all your opening numbers tomorrow on the call.”

“Tomorrow?” Max questioned.

I was silent for a moment as I stopped at the traffic light. I ran my hand over my face. “Yes, Max, tomorrow’s meeting. Nine, does it sound familiar?”

“Yeah, yep, I’ll talk to you then.”

I hung up the phone and turned up the radio just as my phone rang again.

“Hey, Spencer!” Nick’s voice came over the line.

“Hey, Nick! Any news?”

“They accepted the offer. We set the closing date as you asked. I also have a few appointments lined up to show your place. Honestly, it should sell fast. I’ve had lots of interest so far.”

“Perfect, thanks, Nick. Whatever needs to be signed, just fax it to my home office. Also, can you send me the dates you need to show our place? I want to make sure we have everything in place.”

“Can do. Talk to you soon.”

I hopped on the highway, turned the radio up, and made my way home. Twenty minutes later, I pulled into our driveway, gathered my items from the back seat, and headed to the door. I’d just slid my key in the lock and opened the door to be greeted by Carly walking behind Nikki.

“Daddy!” Nikki cried.

“Shhh… Ainsley is sleeping, remember?” Carly whispered. “Take your crayons and colouring book into the kitchen.”

Nikki looked at me and then hung her head and stomped into the kitchen. “Why is Ainsley asleep?” I asked, dropping my stuff inside the door, and heading up the stairs, glancing in the living room to see Ainsley sound asleep under a blanket on the couch.

“She just passed out on the couch. We were sitting talking about the baby shower. I was telling her I’d mailed out all the invitations, and when I looked over, she was out.” Carly shrugged.

“Is she all right?” I asked, taking another look at Ainsley. “Baby shower?” I questioned when I realized what she’d said.

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