Page 86 of My Kind of Trouble
‘What is it?’ Alex asked, shuffling in his chair as he awaited her answer.
‘Hi, Boss. I know I said I’d look after this place and all, and you’re counting on me, but I needed to check something first.’
‘Okay…’ Alex replied, now nervous himself.
Oh god, what if she left him hanging?
How would he find someone on such short notice?
He was supposed to be changing nappies soon, not pouring pints!
‘Well, it’s more like a stipulation,’ she continued, straightening her shoulders and seeming to remember herself. Then she blurted, ‘Answering to Ryan isn’t part of the job description, right?’
‘Huh?’
Alex was completely confused. Had he not gotten enough sleep last night?
‘He isrelentless. When you were away, he came in here like a cow in a china shop…’
‘A bull,’ Alex corrected with a chuckle, before reaffirming at her confused expression, ‘It’s abullin a china shop.’
Instead of acknowledging the correction, Bella continued, ‘I know he’s your friend, but he thought he owned the place after you told him to look after it. He was walking round like a cock in a henhouse.’
Her continuous use of incorrect similes to emphasise her point was endearing, but he wasn’t sure she’d want to hear that, so Alex just let her continue.
‘That was the longest eight weeks of my life. I thought he’d cool his jets when you got back, but he’s just as irritating as ever, and I can’t take him questioning me when you’re off work again. I might actually kill him. I’ve been dreaming of how I’d do it.’
Alex rolled his eyes, internally berating his best friend. Alex had, in fact, not put Ryan in charge of anything, or told him to keep an eye on things. Ryan had suggested and taken that upon himself, even after Alex told him it wasn’t necessary.
But, looking at the woman with ruffled feathers in front of him, he had a good clue as to why. He stifled his laugh, knowing by the state of her serious face, it would not be very well received.
Bella could be scary at times, and Ryan might like to poke the bear, but Alex did not. Not when the bear had agreed to take care of his livelihood for six months so he could dedicate that time to learning to be a good dad. That was all that mattered.
Zoning back into the conversation, Alex realised Bella was still talking, more like ranting, about his best friend.
‘… he is self-centred, egotistical, could flirt with a blow-up doll… oh, and don’t get me started on his man-child behaviour,’ she groaned, as if in pain. ‘So, whilst this is a great opportunity for me, I need to know that The Brew is for me to look after alone. Without interference.’
Ryan was the interference she was talking about, and Alex didn’t know how to tell her that he could control his friend just about as well as he could control a feral cat.
But, opting for something more encouraging, he kept his next statement simple.
‘The bar is yours whilst I’m away Bella. I’m grateful for everything you did for me whilst I travelled, and everything you have done for me since. You have total control going forward. What you say goes. I don’t mind who you have to remind of that.’
Bella perked up at that, an almost-smile showing on her face. Her red hair was ruler straight. Her eyeliner flicked up at the side to make her look cat-like. She looked like a woman who meant business, and Alex was glad she’d be caring for his.
But, as she offered him a firm nod before turning to leave his office, all he could think was,good luck to the man who crosses her. And may their balls forever rest in peace.
Chapter 52
Noa
The Brew was packed full of all the people nearest and dearest to Noa and Alex. Glancing around, Noa felt extremely grateful to have such amazing people in their lives. They say that it takes a village to raise a baby and, well, they definitely had no issues there. They had a literal village, or town or whatever. Even Lola had made the trip for their baby shower-come-sex-reveal.
Yes, Noa had caved when it came to keeping the sex a secret until the very end but, in her defence, she was doing this as a surprise for Alex. He’d always wanted to find out and had been patient enough with her throughoutthe pregnancy. So far, that had meant putting up with a lot—pregnancy sickness, mood swings, hysteria, identity crises. Noa knew that she had been the pregnancy equivalent of bridezilla, and Alex had just taken it in his stride.
So, now that they were finally at thirty-six weeks, it felt like a great time to announce the news, with all their friends and family present. She just couldn’t wait to see his face when he found out.
It had been a very long road getting here, and Noa felt like a final celebration was important before baby finally arrived and two became three. Shortly after they had found out they were pregnant, Noa moved in with Alex in the flat above the bar. Even though people thought it was fast, it felt like the right thing for them. They had wasted so much time, and knowing each other for over two decades and still harbouring feelings for each other for all that time, meant they definitely weren’t worried about getting sick of each other or finding any scary skeletons in their closets. So, they took the leap.
