town.”
“Yeah, you know…the hardware store or something.”
“The hardware store.”
“Yeah, I was buying paint for Sofia.”
“Which you still haven’t helped her with, by the way.”
“I’ll get to it.”
“Not if you’re spending all your free time with the sexy new lady in town.”
“I just got a little sidetracked. How is she, anyway?”
“Joe has her wrapped in a bubble. She’s not allowed to work at the shop anymore. Late nights are not conducive to having a baby, you know,” he said, rolling his eyes. “So, she’s been helping Carly out with Alessa. Of course, one of us has to be there to escort her up and down the stairs anytime she comes and goes.”
“I’m surprised he lets her walk to your place.”
“Oh, haven’t you heard? I need to pick her up every morning and drive her to the townhouse.”
“Well, it is five blocks from the apartment to your townhouse. And it’s winter. She could slip and fall.” I shook my head. “I don’t like this. There are too many of them pregnant at once. It’s too dangerous. You need to wait until at least all of them have their babies before you and Carly start trying.”
“Oh, I do, huh?”
“Well, come on. Three pregnant women and only six of us here to watch them? If you add a fourth to the mix, that’s just asking for trouble.”
“And what about Lorelei? Are you planning on sticking it to her for more than a week?”
“I think it’s a little early to be talking about babies with her. I’m not stupid like the rest of you. I don’t go out and get a woman pregnant at the drop of a hat.”
“Hey, I was with Carly for years before she got pregnant.”
“Yeah, and still not married.” I sighed heavily. “Yeah, that’ll never happen to me, and you know why?”
“Please, inform me,” he said drolly.
“Because I’m the responsible brother now.”
He sighed heavily. “Really, please do tell me how you’re the responsible one.”
“A, I have a really good job and I make a ton of money. B, I haven’t gotten anyone pregnant. And…”
“C?”
“I’m thinking.”
He huffed out a laugh, slapping me on the shoulder. “Yeah, when you think of that third reason, you let me know.”
He headed for the counter to order while I stood there and tried to figure out what the third reason was.
Lorelei
After Andrew left the bakery to go check his business emails, I headed to the grocery store. My pantry was basically empty and my fridge didn’t look too much better. Not that I would be loading up on refrigerated items. I wasn’t even sure when the power would be back on. I could ask Andrew if I could stay with him, but he was already living in a small apartment with two other people. So, as much as I wanted to stay with him, I would just have him take me home. If he chose to stay with me, great, but I wasn’t about to beg. I had taken care of myself long enough that I didn’t need a man. I just wanted one.
Entering the grocery store, I grabbed a cart and headed for the produce section first. Even though oranges weren’t as good this time of year, I really wanted some. Besides, I could make smoothies or something. I was just grabbing a bag of navel oranges when a woman rushed over and crouched down behind the orange stand. I looked at her curiously, but she held up her finger, telling me to be quiet.
I averted my eyes, making sure not to give her away, though I wasn’t sure who hid in the produce section. Glancing around, I saw a man wandering through the store, obviously searching for someone.
“Stalker?” I asked, not looking at her.
“Brother-in-law,” she whispered.
I glanced back over at the man, frowning. He looked familiar…”Do I know him?”
“Maybe. Do you know the Cortell brothers?”
My eyebrows shot up. “That’s one of them?”
“That’s Robert. He’s a lawyer. My husband is Eric.”
My eyes lit up as I looked down at her, but she waved me away. Rolling my eyes, I watched the oranges again. I felt stupid standing here next to them for so long. Like anyone took this long to pick out oranges.
“Eric is doing work on my house.”
“You’re Lorelei?” she perked up.
“Yes, and you must be Kat.”
She reached up between the stand and my cart, holding out her hand. “It’s nice to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“Really? Eric and I don’t really talk that much.”
“Not from him,” she whispered. “From Andrew.”
“Oh.”