“We could do a five by five.”
“We’re only after a two by two at this point.” He looks around. “We plan on expanding within three years, and this space won’t be big enough for us then.”
“I’ll go outside and call the owner now; see what she says.”
“Thank you.” We walk back out into the main office area.
The door closes behind her and he turns to me. “What do you think?”
I look around at the expansive modern space on the tenth floor, right in the middle of London. There are six offices, all with glass walls and views that look out over the city. The reception area is large and modern. It has a kitchen, a conference room, and its own private bathrooms.
“Spence,” I whisper. “It’s perfect.”
“Right?” He smiles, proud of himself for finding it.
“Are you sure I can do this?”
He kisses me softly. “You can do anything you set your mind to, angel. Stop doubting yourself.”
I imagine how I could make this place look and excitement fills me.
“Don’t act interested,” he says. “Play it cool while I negotiate the rental terms.”
“Okay.”
I walk over to the offices and start looking through them again. The agent returns.
“When would you want to consider beginning your rental agreement?”
I think for a moment. “Probably after Christmas. It would be hard for me to find suitable staff at this time of the year.”
“The owner said that should be fine.”
Spencer nods. “Okay, we’re going to look at a few other buildings this afternoon, so I’ll let you know.”
My face falls and Spencer gives me the look. Oh, that’s right, we’re playing it cool.
“The rent is rather high,” he says casually.
“Let me see what I can do about that,” the agent replies.
“If we can get the rent down a little, we may be able to work something out.”
I shake her hand. “Thank you for meeting us.”
“My pleasure.”
We follow her outside, and I take one last look at the space and fight to hold back a huge smile.
I think we just found an office for me.
*
I follow Spencer as he strides down the hospital corridor. He’s carrying the biggest bunch of flowers I have ever seen, and I’m loaded up with gifts, too. I think Spencer bought half of the store today.
“Hurry up,” he whispers.
He’s so excited.
I’m seeing this other part of him I never knew existed… the paternal part.
My ovaries have exploded to smithereens.
Playboy Spencer is hot, fuckable, funny, and the entire world wants a piece of him. But family Spencer, the one that only a few select people get to know, is caring and considerate, swoony and beautiful… I could go on and on.
All I know is that I’m a very lucky woman to have him love me.
The way he looks at me, the way he loves me, it’s all I need.
We get to a door and he turns. “You ready?”
“I’m not the one having a baby, Spencer.”
He chuckles and knocks on the door.
“Come in!” someone calls.
Spencer tentatively opens the door. Bree is in bed and Julian is sitting in a chair beside her, holding their newborn baby.
Spencer places the flowers down and rushes to Bree’s side. “Are you okay, darling?” he whispers as he kisses her temple and takes her hand in his.
She laughs at him. “I’m fine, Spence.” She turns to me. “Hi, Lottie.”
“Hello.” I bounce with excitement. “Congratulations.”
“Thank you.” She smiles proudly. “He’s just perfect.”
Spencer turns to Julian and lets out a quiet chuckle. “Congratulations, man.” He shakes Julian’s hand and then pulls the little blue blanket down to look at the baby.
“What’s his name?” Spencer asks softly.
“Henry.” Julian looks like he’s about to burst with pride. I find myself getting teary watching the two men swooning over this little baby boy.
I turn back to Bree. “Was the birth okay?” I ask softly.
“God.” She sighs. “It was fucking hell.”
I bite my bottom lip to hold back my smile. I love Bree. She’s so normal.
“You know how they tell you your whole life that it’s bad?”
“Yeah,” I answer cautiously.
“It’s worse than bad. It’s times ten worse.” She widens her eyes. “I thought I was going to die.”
I giggle and my attention goes back to Julian and Spencer who are staring at the bundle in Julian’s arms. They are utterly awestruck.
“Where are the kids?” Spencer asks.
“They’ve just gone home. They’re coming back in a few hours,” Julian tells him. “Bree hasn’t even showered yet.”
“Oh.” My face falls as I glance between them. “I’m so sorry to intrude.”
“Don’t be silly. Seb was trying to come into the delivery room.” Bree smiles. “He’s just gone to get us some dinner.”
“Can you two watch Henry while I help Bree shower?” Julian asks.
“Of course.” Spencer stands and takes the baby from Julian. I watch on as he lifts him up to his face and gently kisses his little forehead, and then I melt into a puddle.
I can’t deal with this. Spencer with a baby is frying my brain.
Julian helps Bree up and leads her into the bathroom. I walk over to Spencer as he holds the precious little bundle and I pull the blanket back and stare at the perfect chubby little face.
“I can’t wait to have a baby of my own one day,” I whisper.
Spencer smiles, leans down and kisses me softly. “Me, too.”
We both smile at little Henry who is staring back at us.
“You’re going to make a wonderful father, Spence.”
“One day.” His eyes rise to meet mine. “This, angel… you and me.”
Emotion overwhelms me, my eyes fill with tears. “What a perfect day that will be.”
We kiss. It’s soft and intimate, a celebration of life and a promise of things to come. “I love you,” I whisper.
“I love you, too.”
Edward
We’re sitting in the car watching Charlotte as she walks down the street.
“This is killing me.” My father sighs.
“It’s for the best.” I watch Wyatt and Anthony follow her into a café. “She’ll come around. She won’t stay with him, I know it.”
Dad exhales heavily, a mutual sadness rolling over us. We’re so close yet so far away.
“Every week we’ve travelled to London to watch her this way. I miss her, Edward.”
“Me, too, but I have no idea what this Spencer Jones wants with her, and until I know for certain we cannot, with a clear conscience, encourage this relationship.”
Ten minutes later, Charlotte reappears with a fresh juice and a brown paper bag containing her lunch. She disappears down the street. I start the car and pull out into the traffic.
“At least she’s okay.” I sigh.
“I’m not okay, Edward. We need to start thinking about making peace with this. She’s not coming home.”
“Trust me, he will hang himself… we just have to wait.”
Charlotte
“Anthony called me,” Beth says casually as she sips her cocktail.
I gasp and look over at him standing up against the wall with Wyatt. “Oh my God, when?”
“Last night.”
“And?”
“Shh, I don’t want Lars to know.”
“Why not?”
“Because if she is getting it on with Edward like we suspect, she’s going to tell him.”
“Hmm, good thinking.” We’re in a cocktail bar on a girl’s night out. Spencer and Sebastian are at our place watching football. Lara is in the bathroom of the bar right now, but she’s staying at our place tonight.
“What did Anthony say?” I whisper.
“He asked me if I wanted to go out some time. He told me that Spencer warned him away from me a few weeks ago—said he didn’t want us to date because if we didn’t work out then he didn’t want my friendship with you to suffer.” My face falls. “What?”
“Apparently, Spencer knew that Anthony had the hots for me all along.”
My mouth falls open. “You’re kidding, he said that?”
“You know, Spencer is more like Edward than you think.” She huffs.
“God.”
Lara smiles warmly, arriving back at the table. “Another round?” she asks.
“Please.” I smile.
“Sure,” says Beth.