Page 75 of This Baby Business
They exchanged quick updates on life. Eric had the expected response Levi got from most of his friends when they first heard about Grace. Temporary shock, followed by sympathy.
“You’re gonna love being a dad.”
“Already do. But I’m calling for a different reason. How’s the hip?”
“Ah, you know. I still call myself the bionic man, but I’m good. Sometimes on cold and wet days I feel rusty. No better word.”
“I’ve got a friend who’s struggling with PT. Wonder if you’d give him a call.”
“PT, my old nemesis. No problem, dude. I owe you. You took me out of some dark times by just treating me like a human being and not a freaking celebrity.”
One of the worst things about the injury for Eric had been the medal he’d received. Like too many soldiers, he had survivor’s guilt and the medal hadn’t helped.
Eric had once told Levi in a quiet moment that he’d always have Levi’s back. And ironically, he’d called in his marker for Carly’s dad. He’d ask Cassie for contact information, and given that she was the oracle of Fortune’s senior citizens, she would have Mr. Gilmore’s current phone number at his son’s home in Maine.
Because, of course, he’d gone behind Carly’s back on this one. He didn’t want her feeling like she owed him anything. No, when and if his fake fiancée ever wound up in his bed again, it would be because she wanted to, not because she felt grateful.
“Thanks, man. We’ll talk again soon.” Levi hung up, satisfied, and glanced at his watch.
He’d missed the lunch wagon because he’d been returning from a flight so he popped his head in the office. “Hey, I’m going out to the deli to get a sandwich.”
“I’ll take a turkey and avocado,” Cassie said from behind her desk.
“Bring me one, too,” Matt said as he walked in the room. “Ham on rye. Sarah wants a turkey on wheat.”
“I like the meatball sandwich,” Stone said, coming out of his office. “Might as well get Emily something, too. She’ll be back soon. How about a salad?”
“I’m picking up lunch for all of you?”
Matt handed him a few bills. “This ought to cover us.”
Stone handed him more. “See if Jedd wants anything.”
“What the hell? Didn’t the roach coach come by today?” Levi said.
Stone and Matt exchanged glances.
“I’m hungry again,” Matt said with a shrug.
Stone smirked. “Yeah. Same here.”
Levi got it. It was typical NFG treatment, and he was the new guy. It had been a long time since he’d been one, but like any good airman, he wouldn’t complain. After taking Jedd’s order, he hopped in the truck and made his way to the deli. As it happened, he didn’t mind picking up a second lunch for his buddies, although they’d be damned lucky if he didn’t spit in it.
No worries. He had a good job. Had a little girl and no more pressure from the grandparents. Had a fake fiancée, which, at some point, could work out to be a little bit of a problem, but so far so good. He still, however, had a stack of résumés sitting on his kitchen table to go through. Last night, he’d flipped through a few of them and lost interest after a couple minutes. On paper, everyone looked great. But no one jumped off the page. No one had interesting hobbies or had studied at a fashion institute. How was he supposed to find an adequate nanny now when Carly had spoiled them both the way she had? No one was ever going to be good enough from now on. He doubted anyone else would puree fresh baby food, put up with Grace’s crying and take her for long walks simply because she loved trees.
If Carly did leave for New York, he would need a new nanny. And it wouldn’t just be Grace who missed her. After having spent most of his life being the one to leave because of new orders, this time he would be left behind. Left behind by a woman who had managed to rock his world so much in one single night that he still couldn’t seem to stop trying for a second time.
In the grocery part of the market, he ran into Emily’s grandmother Jean, and she held him up several minutes talking about Texas. Her son, Emily’s father, owned a large cattle ranch in Texas and spent half his time there. Strangely, because Levi was from Texas, she seemed to think he might know some of their ranch hands in Lubbock. He did not.
After what felt like twenty minutes, he’d finally received the last of his large takeout order from the deli. He turned and nearly ran right into Lily.
“Hi, Levi.” Her words were friendly, but her tone said: hello,jackass.
He’d forgotten he was supposed to follow up after their one and only date. “Hey.”
“Don’t worry about not calling,” she said, tone heavy on the sarcasm. “You must be busy, what with your engagement and all.”
He coughed. “That’s—well, yeah. Sorry.”
