Page 61 of Reunion With Benefits

“Abby.” He reached for her.

She was already moving. She held open the door, knowing he would go. He should. The things he needed to decide had to be done without her. All she could do was hope he’d come back. “The choice is yours.”

* * *

Later that night, after ignoring a series of Jameson-related calls and Jackson’s knock at the door, Abby sat on her couch. She’d put on her sweatpants and curled up in the corner. The move usually made her feel better, but not this time.

She wasn’t alone, but she didn’t blame the company. It was hard to get angry with a pregnant woman who refused to leave the hallway until Abby let her in. Stubbornness ran deep in Ellie.

“Are you supposed to be out of bed?” Abby asked for the third time.

Ellie didn’t take the hint. She leaned into the cushions and rubbed her nonexistent belly. “This sounded like an emergency.”

Not that Abby had thrown up the white flag. She’d purposely not bothered Ellie because she didn’t want to upset her. She also didn’t want Ellie getting together with another Jameson and ganging up on Spence. He needed to come to whatever conclusion he came to on his own.

Just thinking about that sent a new wave of sadness crashing through Abby. Spence was the type who did better with a little guidance. He was someone her grandmother would say needed a good woman. Abby really wanted to be that.

Since she didn’t squeal, Abby knew that left a few suspects. “Derrick told you about what happened in the office.”

Abby was pretty sure her fight with Spence had already made the rounds at the company. They hadn’t been quiet. And the look on his face as he walked out of her office. She felt like she’d kicked a puppy.

“Derrick and Carter told Jackson, who called me. Then Derrick texted. Carter came by the house.” Ellie cited the list in a singsongy voice. “Honestly, it was this weird chain of communication from Jameson men.”

Abby noticed one name was missing. “Not all of them.”

“No, Spence is likely afraid of me right now, which is not a bad thing.”

Ellie’s smile was almost chilling. Abby hated to think what that meant. “What did you do?”

“Told him to stop being a—” Ellie’s voice cut off as she waved a hand in the air. “That’s enough about him. How are you?”

Nice try. “A mess.”

Ellie put a pillow in front of her and held on to it like a life jacket. “I can see that.”

“Thanks.” She owned a mirror. She knew.

“But the look is familiar. I had it when I thought Derrick and I were over.”

Abby still couldn’t believe that happened. “You two are so obviously perfect for each other.”

Ellie snorted. “So, you can see it in others just not in your own life.”

They’d circled right back to Spence. No surprise there. Abby was impressed with how quickly Ellie managed it. “You’re lucky you’re pregnant.”

“Spill.” Ellie threw the pillow to the side and shifted so that she sat sideways on the couch, facing Abby. “Now. I have a ticking clock here. Jackson brought me over. Once Derrick figures that out, he’ll yell this building down.”

Rather than debate about where she should be, Abby dove in. What was the harm in reliving this disaster one more time? “You heard about Jeff Berger.”

Ellie nodded. “Yep, unfortunately. And if I never hear his name again, I’ll be thrilled.”

“Same here.” Some of the energy ran out of Abby there. She’d been holding it together, but only by a thread. When she looked at Ellie’s face now, she wanted to just get the rest out. “He’s a runner, Ellie.”

Ellie frowned. “This Berger guy?”

“You know who I’m talking about. He hasn’t settled in. He’s living out of your house and mine. His workload is a mix of odds and ends, other people’s stuff.” Abby cut off the list before it got so long that it strangled the last little bit of hope inside her. “You know he could pick up again.”

“You’re jumping around. First, this Berger guy. Now the running thing.”

---