Page 41 of A Labor of Hate
The thought of looking at it as a date with him rather than an attempt to keep my sanity made my stomach twist and my heart bounce in all sorts of uncomfortable ways.Hecould think of it like that for the sake of our cover if he wanted to, butIcertainly wouldn’t.
He hummed noncommittally, his eyes narrowed.
“I promise it won’t kill you to break from routine.”And, in case he still wasn’t sold, I added, “Either way, I’m going to eat pizza and watch a movie, so the only thing that would change is that you won’t have to cook, and you might actually enjoy yourself for once.”
After another long moment of consideration, he sighed and rewrapped the vegetables.“Alright.”
“You’ll do it?Truceandpizza night?”
The corner of his mouth edged up.“I hope I don’t come to regret this, but yes.I’ll do it.”
CHAPTERFOURTEEN
IN RETROSPECT,IT was a good thing Colt slept in the guest bedroom.Between the two of us, he was definitely the one who could inhabit it and make it look as if it hadn’t been touched in ages.The master bedroom, on the other hand, looked happily lived in.Dirty clothes hamper, bedding wrinkled and unmade, hair ties on the nightstand, clothing, shoes, and accessories in the closet.
And it was a good thing, too.The lunch date with Charles and Vivienne was the perfect time for the henchmen outside to snoop around in here.If Colleen hadn’t been in her yard planting more flowers at the time, they undoubtedly would’ve ransacked our house during the last Lamaze class.Until the next one on Thursday, this was the only time Colt and I would both be out of the house for a guaranteed amount of time.
Despite Colt’s obsessive checking and rechecking of the house, we managed to make it to the restaurant ten minutes before we were supposed to meet the Gauthiers.True to our suspicions, none of the goons stationed outside our home had followed us.What was the point when they knew where we were going?
Since I was still new to Detroit, I didn’t have to feign interest and curiosity as I took in the bustling restaurant.While the outside certainly set the tone with modern gray brick and a tasteful sign, Lovers Only sported hanging lights like bright bubbles over the tables.Blue and pink chairs alternated at the different tables, with a bar overlooking the front windows leading to the street outside, and a charming alcove further in the restaurant.Somehow, it was both laid back and the fanciest burger and sandwich joint I’d ever been in.A large menu hung over the ordering counter, boasting cocktails as well as milkshakes.
We hadn’t even scouted out a table amidst the lunch rush before Vivienne, Charles, and their beefcake boy band filed into the restaurant.Today, rather than the five-man bodyguard ensemble, the Guathiers were only accompanied by the professional and the bodyguard I’d dubbed Bulldog, a massive wall of a man with jowls that shook with the slightest shake of his head.Three guards left unaccounted for.Probably scouring and bugging the house.
I cast a curious glance at the bodyguards before returning Vivienne’s enthusiastic smile.She wore a loose pink blouse belted over her insanely small bump, black leggings, and ankle boots.With her platinum-blonde hair styled in loose waves, she looked like she’d just stepped off the cover ofMaternity Monthly.
With my loose polka-dotted shirt and maternity jeans, I felt much less glamorous.Let the record show, though, that I was wearing real pants, even if I wanted nothing more than to slip into some leggings.Despite the fact the jeans could stretch all the way up to my chin if I tried, they still managed to feel like they were sliding down my butt.How they managed that, I’d never understand.
At least I had my lucky cow socks on, faintly stained with coffee though they were.Between them and my power under-ensemble—the only matching and attractive pair of bra and panties I owned—I was ready to take on anything.Even a drug maker and his supermodel wife.
“You’re early!”Vivienne gushed, pulling me in for a hug.Or as close to a hug as two pregnant women could give.Let’s just say it involved a lot of shoulders, leaning, and little else.Oh well.
I inclined my head toward Colt.“He’s allergic to being late, remember?”
Vivienne laughed and pulled Colt in for a hug as well.Charles stood a socially acceptable distance away, offering us polite smiles and handshakes.It was better than nothing, I guess.Hopefully that meant we hadn’t already failed the test.
“It’s so good to see you again.”Vivienne practically vibrated with excitement, taking me by the arm as we took our place in line.
Hired Bodyguard Guy swept the place from front to back while Bulldog stayed by Charles, blocking any view of or access to him from the window.Maybe they all knew what they were doing after all.
“I hope you don’t mind that I picked a burger place,” she continued.“I’ve been craving red meat something awful lately.And tomatoes.So, this seems like the best of both worlds, right?”
“Oh, yeah.”Was I supposed to be experiencing pregnancy cravings, too?I’d settle for something I craved all the time, pregnant or not.“I’ve actually been craving fries and milkshakes, so this is perfect.”
“Ooh, I think this means our little beans will be best friends, don’t you?”
I smiled, catching some of her contagious excitement.“I sure hope so!It helps if their parents are already friends, doesn’t it?”
She nodded vehemently.“What are you guys having?”
I looked between her and Colt, unsure.“For lunch or the baby?”
All he offered was a shrug.Helpful.
Thankfully, Vivienne thought this was hilarious, since a giggle escaped her.Yep, a full-grown woman giggled.And it was incredibly endearing.“You’re funny!How about for both, then?”
Colt fielded this one, since Charles showed no interest in interacting with him independently.“We’re waiting to be surprised as far as the gender is concerned.As for lunch,” he glanced at the menu, the light catching his dark eyes and chiseled features, “I’m tempted to try the Boss Tom burger.”Now his eyes found mine.“What would you like, babe?”
Babe?Thatwas new.Whether it was his subtle ode to our strange situation or simply a common pet name for the sake of our cover, I couldn’t say.What Ididknow was that it was way too hot in this restaurant now.Probably a side effect of getting closer to the grills behind the counter, is all.
