Page 102 of Everything We Give

“Not recently, but we’re going on assignment together in January.”

“That’s great. Where to?”

“Morocco. She’s writing a piece about camping in the Sahara and requested me as the photographer.” He sets aside his half-empty beer and scratches his lower lip. “She tells me you have history.”

I nod slowly. “It was a long time ago.” When he doesn’t immediately acknowledge what I said, I raise an eyebrow.

“She’s talented.”

I slowly grin. “She feels the same. She wouldn’t have requested you if she felt otherwise.”

We share a smile and I clap his shoulder. “Come on. Let’s join the others before my wife finds me hiding out in the kitchen, drinking beer. She spent a pretty penny on the champagne.”

When we return to the dining area, I look around. Aimee has my photos everywhere, including on the wall once dominated by James’s paintings. She cleared it off last October and shipped his work to him in Hawaii. She did keep one, a miniature of her parents’ house James had painted when he was seventeen. It hangs in her back office, a reminder of where she came from and how much she’s grown since then.

Everyone is here. Erik and a few of the guys from the gym. Lance and Troy, two buddies from ASU I’ve kept in touch with over the years. Even Marshall Killion and his wife, Jenny, managed to get out here from Boston. Nadia’s off to the side chatting with friends and some new guy she brought with her. He dotes on her like a young pup. His eyes track her everywhere. She keeps sending him off to fetch her cocktails.Yeah, that relationship won’t last long,I think, laughing to myself.

Caty’s at a table with Kristen’s two oldest, eating cake and drinking sparkling cider. Kristen stands watch over them, rocking Theo. My gaze swings left until finally, across the room, I find the woman I’d been searching for. Beautiful in a black shift dress with a cascade of ruffles along the neckline, Aimee talks with Catherine and Hugh. Nick joins them, offering Aimee a glass of champagne, which she declines.

My gaze narrows. Excusing myself from Erik, I cross the room.

Nick eyes the champagne glass I take off his hands. I sip the bubbly. “Tee time’s seven thirty. Gonna make it?”

I set aside the glass. “Wouldn’t miss it. I’ll wager a hundred dollars you don’t shoot a single eagle this time.” Nick is by far the better player between us. There’s no way I’m betting I can beat him. When we play, I wager he will outperform his previous game.

Nick clutches his chest. “You wound me.” Then he grins and grabs my hand. “You’re on.”

“See you on the course.”

“Great show,” Hugh says.

“Congratulations, Ian.” Catherine kisses my cheek.

“Thanks.” I clasp Aimee’s hand. “Would you excuse us for a moment?” I say to them.

“Everything all right?” Aimee asks, her expression one of concern as I lead her to the back office.

“Everything’s great.” I close and lock the door, pull her into my arms.

“Ian, we have guests.”

“I know, baby, but this can’t wait.” I cup her face and kiss her. I kiss her and kiss her, look at her, and kiss her again. Then I smile, my forehead pressed to hers.

Winded, she asks, “What was that about?”

“I just wanted to show you how much I love you. And to say thank you.”

“For what?”

I rest my hands on her hips and back us up to the desk. Sitting on the edge, I pull her between my legs, our eyes level. I trace her hairline along her cheek and over her ear. “The past couple of months haven’t been easy on us.” I’ve been taking frequent, short visits to Idaho to make sure my dad’s receiving the treatment he needs. He’s deteriorating fast and the inevitability of losing him has affected me harder than I expected. “But I have some good news.”

Aimee’s eyes sparkle like cider. “You do?”

I bite my lower lip and nod. “My wife’s pregnant.”

She frowns, the ivory skin between her trimmed brows folding. Then those brows lift and her eyes go big. “How did you know?”

“You turned down a glass of Dom Pérignon. Who does that?”

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