Page 19 of My Brother's Best Friend's Secret Baby

“This mostly. Not here, I mean but part-time work. Not a lot of call for philosophy experts.”

“Sounds thrilling.”

I chuckled. “It can be, though most jobs aren’t quite as lively as this place. Did you know they have a ping-pong table?”

“No way.”

“Way.”

“No wonder Aden likes it here so much. I wasn’t sure how he’d adjust after the army, but he seems to be getting on fine.”

“Yeah,” I said, trying furiously not to blush. Shae was kind enough to pretend that she didn’t notice. I started to wonder how much she knew about what was going on.

“Know any good clubs around here?”

“Um yeah, there’s a casino with a pretty good venue,” I replied.

“My ears are burning,” Chris said, coming over to the desk with Coop at his side.

“Lighting your Q-tips again?” Cooper asked, sighing in mock disappointment.

“What was that about Q-tips?” Aden asked, emerging from his office with a client.

“We’re going on a staff trip to the casino,” Chris said. “To get our dance on!” He shook his hips a little and swung his arms. The art director couldn’t really dance, but he was so goofy that no one cared.

“Cool.”

“I might come along too if my wife’s morning sickness gets under control,” Ryan said, appearing from the aether.

“Can I come too?” Carlos asked, leaning out of his cubical.

“Sure, why not?” Shae said, unable to keep from smiling at all the attention her idea was getting. “Let’s make it a party.”

****

When the clock struck the appointed time, I hauled ass back to my apartment, trying my best to avoid Aden. I stripped off the intentionally repellant outfit and stood in front of my open closet in my underwear, trying to decide what to wear to the club.

I tried to convince myself that I wasn’t going to dress up for Aden. I would dress for me and no one else. The only problem was that I really felt that I was back in the game since I realized that the cute, pink-haired girl I assumed he was fucking was his cousin, who neither of us had seen in years.

I got into my sexiest dress and heels combo and really just hoped Aden could forgive me for being so awful.

I must have taken longer than I thought to get ready, everyone else was already at the club before I arrived. I thought I’d heard Shae arrive at Aden’s apartment, which really only made sense because he had a car and knew where the casino was. I got the feeling from Shae that she hadn’t been back in town for too long.

The parking was hell on the Vegas strip, but I still found a spot on the third time around. The extra trips gave me time to think about what I would do when I got inside. Strangely, I was happy we were there in a group. Just Shae and I would have been cool, but if Aden was going to be there, it would be nice to have an out if need be.

I needn’t have worried too much about ignoring Aden. He was doing an excellent job of avoiding me. I really didn’t know anyone aside from him, Cooper and Shae. I didn’t need Cooper’s shit, so I tried to focus on Shae, who turned out to be something of a hit among the single boys, particularly Chris.

The more I drank, going past where I usually would, the more my immaturity reared its head. Before long, I was hammered and dancing with random guys. It was honestly an ego boost to know that some guys were still interested even if Aden was ignoring me. Love the one you’re with, in the immortal words of Stephen Stills.

It didn’t last. Cooper pulled his usual bullshit, getting a punch in the nose for his trouble.

“Serves you right,” I said, leaving him to drip blood onto the dance floor.

It was a bit harsh, I admit, but if he hadn’t stuck his nose in this, the whole issue with Aden and Shae never would have happened.

I started to feel sick when I got back to the dance floor. Without a word, Shae steered me back toward the table.

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