Page 23 of Sassy Surrogate
My cheeks burn with embarrassment. As if that’s not bad enough, he then throws salt in the metaphorical wound by apologising.
“My apologies. I didn’t mean to manhandle you on your front porch like that.” And on that bombshell, he turns and walks to the car. I watch as Kieran says something to him. He nods, and then climbs into the back of the town car.
And me? I’m left standing on my front doorstep, trying to figure out what the hell just happened.
Reaching up with a shaking hand, I touch my fingertips to my tingling lips. I can still taste him, a faint trace of mint toothpaste. The scent of his aftershave lingers in my nostrils, an appealing mix of bergamot and something woodsy I can’t place. But it’s all man, and super appealing.
The Mercedes long gone, I shake myself out of my stupor and head inside. I need to talk to Rebecca, and I sure as hell am not doing that standing out in my front yard. Taking a seat on the sofa, I contemplate the phone in my hand, trying to figure out what to say to her. I need her advice. She’s the most level-headed, practical person I know, and she always gives the best advice. But where do I start?
This all seems so weird. How the hell did I find myself in this alternate universe? My life was boring, predictable. Mundane even. Just the way I liked it. No surprises, nothing unexpected. Except for my bloody father popping up like an evil Jack-in-the-box.
When I finally scrape my courage together, I dial Becca’s number and wait for her to answer.
“Hey gorgeous. What’s up?”
“Hey babe. You busy this evening?” I ask, fingers crossed she hasn’t already got plans. Ireallyneed to talk to her. Sooner rather than later.
“Nope. I’m free. Whatcha got in mind?”
“Dinner. My place. You game?”
“Always. I’ll be there around six thirty. That work for you?”
“Perfect. I’ll see you later then.”
“Okay, great. I’ve gotta dash, but I’ll see you later.”
Now all I need to do is figure out what I’m going to feed Rebecca and then, more importantly, what I’m going to tell her about Heath Bailey’s business offer. Heaving my tired ass off the sofa, I head into the kitchen to investigate the contents of my cupboards and refrigerator.
* * *
“T
hat was amazing, as usual. I wish I could cook nearly as well as you do. Maybe then I’d be able to snag myself a man.”
I almost choke on the sip of wine I’ve just taken. “What’s wrong with your cooking? I love your chicken parm.”
“Yeah? And what else?”
Wracking my brain, I come up blank. Rebecca is one of the most accomplished women I know, but cooking is not her best skill. When the silence drags on as I try to come up with another dish, she laughs. “That’s what I thought.”
“Sorry, Becca.”
“Nothing for you to be sorry about. I have other talents.” She wiggles her eyebrows, and we both burst out laughing.
“You’re incorrigible.”
“Why, thank you, ma’am.” Her grin is full of mischief. “Okay, babe. We’ve had our super fabulous meal. Giggled like naughty children. And avoided the reason you’ve asked me over tonight. So, spill the deets, girl.”
It never fails to amaze me how astute Rebecca is. Or attuned to my moods. Sighing deeply, I brace for the conversation ahead.
“You’re far too observant for your own good. You know that?”
A laugh is all the answer I get, along with a hand gesture to start talking.
I take a quick gulp of wine for courage. “Apparently the universe is watching out for me.”
“Intriguing. Do tell.”
