Page 26 of Enemies, Lovers & A Valentine's Baby

Her face goes completely red, flustered. She tries to say something in her defense but can’t articulate the words.

“Just stop harassing my assistant. And for fuck’s sake, don’t ever show up here again.”

I don’t even flinch as her face contorts, hurt flashing in her eyes.

“It’s because of another woman, isn’t it?” she mutters slowly, her accusatory eyes glaring at me.

Unbelievable. Did she really not hear anything I just said? How do I keep getting myself into these situations?

“Is it that secretary of yours? That little whore! No wonder she’s been trying to keep me from seeing you!” she yells, only she couldn’t be further from the truth.

“It’s time for you to leave, Ashley,” I say, getting up and walking out of the lounge.

My problems always seem to lead back to women.

I really need to take a break from them.

Chapter 9

Family Comforts

Lila

Everything always seems right with the world when I’m visiting my big sister Joanne and her beautiful family. Whenever I’m with them, the rest of my life seems to blur into the background, replaced instead by the welcomed chaos that are my twelve-year-old twin nephews, and my sweet three-year-old niece.

As the driver makes another right, I realize that I’m only a few houses away. The car rolls to a stop in front of the two-story, Mediterranean-style building, and I step out, heading straight for the front porch. I knock twice on the front door, listening for a response.

Seconds later, the front door flies open to reveal my older sister Joanne, dressed in comfy loungewear. Her dark hair sitsatop her head in a messy bun as she walks the remaining few steps between us. She throws her arms around me, wrapping me in her warm embrace, a bright smile on her face.

I bury my head in the crook of her neck, inhaling the faint scent of vanilla that seems to float around her. She always smells exactly like our mom.

“You’re here! The boys are going to be so happy, especially if you got them the action figures you promised them last time,” she smiles.

“Got them right here,” I respond, patting the bag in my hands.

“Thank goodness. Maybe I can finally get them to stay in their rooms for the rest of the evening,” she whispers, excited at the thought of having a moment to herself. I would give anything to have that problem.

I chuckle, watching her with fascination. She’s done an amazing job raising three beautiful kids—especially when two of those kids are my hardheaded nephews Mason and Jason.

“Where’s Hank?” I inquire about her husband as I trail behind her into the house.

“Working late tonight. He says to let you know how sorry he is that he couldn’t make dinner.”

“And where are the other men of the house?” I ask, glancing around and seeing no trace of my two nephews.

“I had just managed to convince them to do their homework, but now that you’re here, I—yup. There they come,” she sighs, gesturing towards the staircase as the pitter patter of feet slaps against the marble tiles.

A second later, my favorite—well, only—twin nephews come bounding down the stairs at the sound of my voice.

“Aunt Lila!” they chorus, running right into my arms with childlike excitement, but the strength of grown men. I’m almost knocked off my own feet too, but somehow manage to catch myself, laughing when they wrap their arms tightly around me.

“Hey, boys, how’ve you been?” I ask, ruffling their sandy blonde hair playfully.

“We’re good,” Mason, the older one, says.

“But we’ve missed you,” Jason, the softer of the two says, holding onto me even tighter now.

“Aw, I’ve missed you both too,” I murmur, kissing the tops of their heads.

---