Page 24 of Just One More Affair
“How are you going to handle the baby and work? You’re at it twenty-four seven.” Dex had risen to shake his hand, but he also asked a valid question.
He blew out a breath. “I’ll figure it out,” he said, knowing he’d promised Aiden not to reveal his plans to return home.
“I’m here for whatever you need at the office,” Brooke said. “And I’m happy for you.”
“Thanks. I’m going to take you up on that offer.”
She smiled. “I expect you to.”
The rest of the afternoon was spent talking to his siblings, answering questions, and being grateful for the type of family he was born into. Despite losing his mom, something he’d never get over, he had a solid parent in his dad, Lizzie who had stepped up as a maternal figure, never trying to replace their mother, and siblings just as happy to rib him as support him.
All things he could give to his baby. Knowing his child would be part of a close-knit family eased his mind about his fear of the unknown. None of these people would leave him floundering. His biggest challenge would be to bring Charlotte into the fold and convince her she belonged.
Chapter Nine
Charlotte stepped offthe hotel elevator and walked across the lobby to the concierge to see if she had any mail waiting for her. Though it had only been two weeks since she’d sent out résumés, she was anxious and hoping someone was impressed enough by her qualifications to offer her a position. She was hoping for an email, a phone call or a letter, though the last two were rare these days.
She stopped at the front desk where a familiar clerk smiled in recognition. “Hi, Ms. Kendall! What can I do for you today?”
“Hi, Patrick. I’m checking for packages or mail.”
“I’ll check for you.” He walked into the back and returned with a few envelopes. “Here you go. Is there anything else I can do for you?”
She shook her head. “No, thanks. I appreciate it,” she said, and immediately began sorting through the mail as she walked away. Nothing but junk, she thought, tossing the papers into the trash as she passed a garbage pail.
She stopped at the coffee shop for a cup of decaffeinated tea and headed up to her hotel room. She opened her laptop and loaded her emails. One in particular caught her eye. A curator position at a medium-sized museum not far from the building where she’d be living was interested in speaking to her. Right up her alley.
She wrote back immediately, agreeing to an interview. Now all she had to do was wait to hear back on a date and time. If she got this job then she’d feel much better about moving into the apartment in Jared’s building. Like she was doing her part to pay some of the rent.
Excited, she forwarded the positive email to Leo along with a bunch of smiling emojis, not wanting to bother him at work by calling. Still on an emotional high, she tried her brother, surprised when he picked up the phone.
“Hello?” He sounded out of breath.
She was thrilled she’d reached him. “Hi, stranger! I’ve missed you. Did you get my message when I got back to the States?”
He paused, then said, “Sorry. I’ve been busy with some things.”
“Too busy to reach out to your sister who you haven’t seen in way too long?”
He let out an annoyed huff. “Did you call to give me shit?”
She rubbed the place above her heart, hurt by his attitude. “No, I called to hear you voice.”
“I’m sorry, sis. It’s just not a good time.”
She stiffened, certain he was looking for the easy way to earn drug money again. “Is everything okay?”
“I’m fine, but I have to go,” he said and disconnected the call.
She stared at the phone in her hand, an uncomfortable feeling in the pit of her stomach. Her brother had a drug problem, one she didn’t like to dwell on but knew enough to keep him away from her girls. They’d met their uncle Dan a few times when she knew he was clean, and she spoke of him, just telling the twins he worked hard and couldn’t come see them. The only way she could manage day-to-day was by telling herself he was fine. Deep down, she knew better.
With nothing else to do and the girls busy with friends, she lay down to take a nap without setting an alarm. She and Noah were switching weeks and he had them this week. She stretched out on the bed and let her eyes drift closed…
***
The ring ofher phone startled her awake. She fumbled for the cell, finding it on the night table. She glanced at the screen.JARED STERLING. She’d been tempted to change it out forBABY DADDY.
Wondering what he wanted, her stomach did a flip before she answered. “Hello?”
