Page 50 of Must Be Love - Irresistible Bachelors

“Thank you, thank you. We’ve been trying for a while, and it finally happened!”

“That’s so great, Adam. Tell Liz I say congratulations.”

“I will. She’s been miserable. Morning sickness got her bad. That’s how we knew.”

I can’t stop grinning at my brother’s big news. He and his wife, Liz, have been talking about kids since before they even got engaged. I’m glad it’s finally happening for them. They were starting to get worried after a year of trying with no success.

Adam goes on about Liz’s symptoms, but my mind is back on Amber. What if she is pregnant?

No, I don’t think she is. If Adam and Liz couldn’t get pregnant until a year after their marriage, a couple of times with Amber isn’t going to do it. I have nothing to worry about.

“So, yeah. So far so good. We go in for the first ultrasound next week.”

“That’s awesome,” I say, despite only hearing that last part. “Have you told Mom yet?”

Adam snorts. “Nope. Wanted to tell you first. Do you think she’s going to fly out to Michigan to stay with us for the entire twenty-eight weeks we have left?”

“I guarantee she’ll try. Remind her that she has too much going on down there to leave. I’m pretty sure she’s in twelve different clubs in her retirement community.”

“I doubt that’ll work, but it’s worth a shot. What about you? Anything you’ve got going on?”

“Work, mostly,” I tell him. “And I’m kind of seeing someone.”

“Damn, AJ. You really buried the lead. Who is she?”

It’s safe to give Adam more details. I know he won’t tell our mother, and he won’t do anything drastic with the information.

“Her name is Amber. We met at this beauty convention I went to a few weeks ago. We’ve only been out on one date, but she’s awesome, man. You’d really like her.”

“I’m happy for you, AJ. If you’re still together at Christmas, I want to meet her.”

“You will, I promise.”

The Blake family tradition is to get together for Christmas, no matter where we are. Last year, Adam and I went down to Florida. This year, everyone is coming to stay with me. I have plenty of room in the house, so it makes sense.

“Will it be safe for Liz to travel here for Christmas?”

“As of right now, she’ll be good to go. We talked to the doctor, and she said it’s fine, but if the pregnancy turns high-risk, we won’t be able to make it.”

“We’ll have to come to you if that happens.”

Adam laughs. “I don’t know if I want to invite Mom up here. She might never leave.”

“I have the same fear. But I don’t have a baby on the way to entice her, so I think I might be safe.”

“Right. I should probably give her a call. Was there something you wanted to talk about? You called me, and I totally dominated the conversation.”

“Nah, I’m just stuck in traffic, and we hadn’t talked in a while.”

“Gotcha. Well, I’ll let you know how things go with mom. I might need you to help me keep her off a plane.”

“You know where to find me. Good luck, and congratulations again!”

“Thanks, man. Talk to you later.”

After I hang up with Adam, I’m left with just music to keep me company for the last hour of my drive. At least my playlist is good.

As I inch forward in traffic, I can’t keep my mind off the serum. My upcoming appointment with Amber has me terrified. I’m not sure how much longer I can keep this secret from her.

I use my car’s built-in Bluetooth system to send Amber a text asking her on a date this Friday night. If I’m going to lose her over this stupid serum, I’m going to make the most of the time we have.

She answers back almost immediately to say she’d love to go out with me on Friday.

The rest of my drive is spent making a private reservation at my favorite restaurant. That way, we’ll be able to get to know each other more and enjoy each other’s company.

I want to spend as much time with Amber as I can before the serum blows up in my face.

16

Amber

I try to listen to Daisy and Nicole talk, but it’s hard when my mind is constantly wandering back to AJ.

I force him out of my brain. I don’t always get a lot of time with my friends. They deserve my undivided attention.

“So, they’ve doubled our sales goals this year.”

My eyes widen. I’m glad I’m paying attention for this.

“Are you serious?”

Daisy nods, taking a sip of her soda. “It’s insane. I never struggled to reach my quota last year, but I don’t know if I’ll make it this year.”

Nicole squeezes her shoulder. “I’m sure you’ll do it. You’re amazing.”

“Aw, thanks. I hope so. It just sucks. I need to push the new products extra hard and get stores to stock more than usual. It won’t be easy.”

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