Page 5 of Corporate Escapades

“Last night? You only found out LAST night?” she asked. “Alli, you’re so irresponsible. Think of what this will do to your career. You’re a wine savant. You taste wines as part of your job. How can you do that if you’re pregnant?”

“Well, Paris, I guess I’m now useless to you,” she said as she shoved open the door and emerged from the stall. Turning to Brody, she said, “Let’s go. I need some food, and clearly, my sister’s not in a supportive mood.” Turning, she pulled Brody toward the door.

“Alli, wait!” called Paris. “We’ll figure this out. Please come back.”

Frowning, Brody looked at Paris and shook his head as he allowed Alli to lead him away. “We can discuss this more later,” he said. “I’m sure she’ll calm down once she’s eaten.”

“Please, Alli, don’t go. I’m concerned, and I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you!” yelled Paris.

Pausing in the doorway, Alli pointed an angry finger at her sister. “Go deal with your event, Paris. My life decisions are no longer of any concern to you.”

Fifteen minutes had passed since the blowout with Paris. Brody and Alli were cruising down the highway with the top down in Brody’s black Miata.

“I love this time of year,” said Alli. Flores in the spring is perfect. Eighty during the day, sixty at night. I wish it could stay like this always,” she said.

“Are you okay?” he asked. “I hate that you and Paris are fighting. You know she’s just worried about you and the news caught her off guard. She tends to overreact when she’s stressed. This event isn’t exactly stress free.”

“I know, but she needs to take a chill pill,” replied Alli. “It’s not like I can take this situation back. We’re having a baby either way, right?”

“Yeah, we are.” He replied contentedly. “Do you still want to move to Las Vegas?”

“Not anymore. Flores is much safer and less criminal.”

“Criminal?” asked Brody.

“Well, you know, Sin City.” She laughed.

“True. I always thought Flores was a great town to raise children in. Besides, all of our family’s here. Maybe down the road, we can revisit the concept of living in Lake Meade or Henderson, but right now, the commute doesn’t sound too great, with a little one on the way.”

“Totally agree with you,” she replied as the car began to shake.

“Hold on,” said Brody, his face wrinkling in concentration. “I think we may have blown a tire.” He slowly eased the car onto the shoulder for inspection. Hopping out, he ran around to the passenger side to take a look. “Yep, back tire’s f’d. We’ll have to call for assistance. This car doesn’t come with a spare.”

Alli sat in the passenger seat, humming to herself as she watched the traffic go by.

Hanging up the phone, Brody climbed back into the car and sat down. “It’ll be at least half an hour. This isn’t how I pictured the night going.” Shifting his body so that he was looking at her, he grabbed her hands in his. “I love you, Alli. Everything will be okay. You’ll see. Paris will come around, and your parents will be excited to meet their first grandchild.”

“You’re amazing,” she said, looking into his eyes. “You always know just what to say. How do you do that?”

“It’s a gift.” He looked at her adoringly.

“You make every day feel special. As long as we’re together, and our baby is born healthy, what more could I want?” she asked.

“How about a little heat and passion?” He flashed her his most charming smile.

“Well, that goes without saying,” she replied as she gently touched his face.

Unable to contain their excitement as they waited for roadside assistance, they held each other close, kissing and basking in the warmth of their blossoming future.

Coming up for air, Alli noticed a buzzing sound emitting from her purse. “Hold on a second,” she told Brody. Pulling the phone out, she saw it was Mya. “Hello?”

“Hi. Paris told me what happened. Are you okay?”

“Yeah. I’ll be fine,” she said.

“I don’t think she meant to hurt you,” said Mya. “You know Paris.”

“Yeah. I know Paris. I love her, but she can be so maddening at times.” She hated fighting with her sister. Why couldn’t they get along?

---