Chapter Thirty-Four
Pumping sanitizer into her hand, she stared down at her belly bump.
She rubbed her hands together and then glided them over the babies. I love you. And I love your father, whichever of the three it is.
She opened the door to the waiting room. “I’ll be in my office, Troy. Take your time.”
She walked through the spa into her office, and powered off her computer for the day.
“Ella?” Troy called for her.
“Be right there.” She walked into the waiting area carrying her purse and night deposit.
“Hi, partner.” He hugged her and took the deposit from her hand. “You’re looking sexier than ever.”
She rolled her eyes. “Whatever. You’re going to the bank for me tonight?”
“Yes, ma’am.” He placed his hand gently on the small of her back. “Still nothing from Cade?”
She shook her head. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, fresh flowers, and new clothes arrive daily from him, but no calls or any word he is coming home.
“I was supposed to be your only client today. I’m going to tell Derek you were in the room with two women before me.”
“You’re full of crap. Those were my new hires, Evangeline Zanipolo and Rory Quince. Rory is going to be your massage therapist until I get better. I’m taking a break for a while.” Probably until after the babies are born.
“Good. I’m helping Kyle design your manufacturing warehouse. The new place is promising.” He guided her toward the exit. “Derek said you were working on some new product?”
“I have a new oil for our line. As soon as Derek gets here I’ll give you the samples I made for you. They’re in his car.”
“Mmm.” He waggled his brows. “Can’t wait. Derek sent me the promotional photos for our line. They’re fantastic. More risqué than I expected.”
“You said genitals would be appropriate for the private marketing. They’re all classy.”
“Are they of you?” He pulled her closer. Her belly pressed against his front.
She winked and whispered, “Wouldn’t you like to know?”
Since he saved her life, and they’d officially partnered after the sale of her house, she’d gotten to know him enough to tease him a little. He was a good man and turned out to be the best kind of partner. Without him, she wouldn’t be comfortable taking a break from massage therapy and focusing on her oils, soaps, and shampoos.
“I would,” he whispered.
“They are of me, Derek, and Garrett, but don’t tell anyone.”
“I won’t tell a soul. So, how are the renovations on the house?” He let go of her and guided her to the door.
She spotted Derek pulling up to the space in front of the spa in his new minivan.
“Renovations are good. Derek and Garrett are supposed to be moving in today.”
“So is Derek the proud daddy?”
“We find out today.” She gazed down and rubbed her belly. You two are getting so big.
“How is Colleen?”
“She’s good. Took the news about my pregnancy better than I ever expected.” She grinned. “She’s hoping for sisters.”
He chuckled. “She’s a good kid.
She walked forward with him. “I think you should take over for me at the party tonight. I’m getting pretty big.” And I’m tired.
“I need you, and the vendor next to you is providing you with some sexy maternity clothing. No worries. Just show up.”
“Okay.” She stepped outside into the cool night air and breathed in deeply. I wish Cade were here.
Troy set the alarm system and locked the door. He walked her to the passenger side of Derek’s van and opened the door. “Where are the samples?”
“In the back seat,” Derek answered. “The photos on them are to show clients the different body parts they should be tested on. The ones for sale will have the standard Oils or Soaps by Ella label printed on them, no photos.”
“Did you set up everything for the event tonight?” Troy asked.
“Got it covered. All Ella has to do is show up,” Derek said.
The backseat door slid open. She reached in and handed him the bag. She lifted one of the samples up. “This one is Raspberry Crème.”
Troy looked at it. “Holy shit. Is that you and Derek?”
She blushed. “Maybe we won’t use that photo for promotions.”
He took out one sample bottle at a time, examining each closely. “No. No one will know, but me. God, you’re the best damn business partner I’ve ever had.” He kissed her cheek. “Don’t let those two keep you up all night.”
She rolled her eyes. “I’ll see what I can do.” She climbed in the front and buckled her seatbelt.
Troy closed the minivan doors and walked to his car loaded with samples.
Derek backed up and drove out of the parking lot. “I talked to Cade today.”
Her heart skipped a beat. “Really?” She gazed up into his hazel eyes.
He nodded. “Yeah. He’s a mess. Been a mess. But you know that.”
Do I? Pappy and Josie says he’s miserable, but is he?
“Why will he call you and Garrett but not me?”
“He’s back in town. He wants to see you.”
“I don’t want to see him.” He’s going to take one look at me and leave again. I can’t go through him walking out, ignoring me, or yelling at me.
“If he’s the father to the babies, you’re not dropping us for him, right?”
“No. I love you,” She reached over and touched his thigh. “Cade is done with me regardless, and I’m done with worrying.”
His hand covered hers. “I love you, but Cade isn’t done with you. The gifts he sends shows you that.”
“Well, I’m done with him. I’m tired of his guilt gifts. He needs to stop. Felicity is in a mental health facility. She’s the one who should feel guilty, not Cade. He had nothing to do with it.”
Derek made the man noise he typically did when he was frustrated with her.
“Can you please try and be positive?” Derek said.
“No. I’m done being positive. I’m being realistic. Fuck all this shit. If he ends up being the father, then he will have to fight me for custody. He’ll have to—”
“—Stop it. You will do no such thing. You and Cade are going to talk. Really talk. So, you’re going to stop your nonsense and get your ass up and meet him, if I have to drag you somewhere, or tie you up and force you to stay in the same fucking room with him,” he shouted.
She shut her mouth and folded her hands on her lap. Derek never yelled. In all the years she’d known him that was the first time he’d ever raised his voice in her presence.
He breathed. “Ella, you’re going to speak with him today.”
She gazed out the side window as they drove past the street she would drive down to get to Cade’s house. I’m not speaking to him ever again. He said he’d never leave me. He said he’d love me forever. He lied.