Page 91 of My Fiancé's Brother 2

I nodded, unable to speak.

“You know what makes me good at my job?”

“What?”

“My ability to completely focus. So you never have to worry that you’re distracting me. I can get the job done here, no matter what's going on there, okay?”

“I waited and waited for you to call back. I didn’t know what to think.”

He gave me a regretful look. “We had a blackout after our incident.”

“What does that mean?”

“Means that they turn off all outside communication for the entire group during notification of NOK.”

“What is NOK?”

“Next of Kin.”

I covered my mouth. “Someone died?”

“Yeah.”

“Oh no!” my eyes filled with tears. “That’s so bad.”

“It isn’t good.”

“Was it a friend of yours?” I asked in a small voice.

He shrugged. “Just knew him by name, didn’t know him. But he has a kid and another one on the way.”

I shook my head unable to speak for a moment. “I’m so sorry. Are you okay?”

“I’m okay.”

CHAPTER 31

Another week passed.I ordered and received baby furniture, but the boxes remained unopened in Alien’s room. I hoped that Jackson would be home long enough to help me assemble the furniture. I spent the week painting a mural for Lauren’s six-year-old daughter.Elsawas set in a magical sparkling forest of white trees and a glistening frozen lake. Lauren invited me to the unveiling of the mural at Mindy’s birthday party. Mindy had been banned from entering her room while I worked on it, but when she saw the painting, she burst into noisy tears as she hugged her mom.

Everyone raved about the mural. Five different women took my number, promising to call to set up a coffee date.

Sunday night,Jackson called me on Skype.

“Are you in bed?”

“Hey. Nine o’clock is way past our bedtime.”

“How was the birthday party?”

“Mindy loved the mural. And I got five coffee invites out of it.”

“Nice work.”

“I think they want murals too.”

He smiled. “You’re on your way.”

“I also went to a Scentsy party.”

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