Page 76 of Nothing to Beat

“We didn’t come to interrupt your day.”Alice sipped her coffee.“With the wedding nearing, we just wanted to be of help.”

“Roxie’s who you have to talk to about that,” she said.“And Rox might direct you to Jane.I imagine everything is in hand.”Did that sound defensive?She didn’t mean it to and adored both women.“Though I’m sure she’d love the help.”

“Jane went back to New York to help Lilya with the baby,” Alice said and glowed when she smiled.“She can’t stay away and I don’t blame her.The little one is perfect.Have you met him?”

“The baby?”She shook her head.“No.I’ve heard he’s adorable though.”

Had she?When Roxie talked about him.He was a little prince, one who’d want for nothing, born into love, hope, and prosperity.He had an incredible future ahead of him, filled with nothing but possibility.His parents wouldn’t dictate who he could build a life with because he wouldn’t have to worry about protecting their wellbeing.

“You’ll meet him at the wedding.”

A little, squishy baby, maybe a month old… Now she wasn’t sure if Breck was the one prodding her heart or if that came from the need of her ovaries.

“Breck says you need a dress.”Alice put her cup down.“For the wedding.”

Mm, of course he had.

“Unfortunately, my appointment has to take precedence over wardrobe.”

“Oh, we understand.There’s a superb stylist in town,” Carolyn said, phone already in hand.“She’ll bring everything here, and you can try it on this evening.”

“I…” This time she did let her attention track to Breck.“I might not be here tonight.”

“Plans?If it’s the nightclub—”

“She’s worried about Dad falling apart without her.”Breck: the squealer.“The company crumbling and foundering without her input.”

“I didn’t say that—” she said to him, then turned it on the mothers.“I didn’t say that.”

Alice was amused, not offended.“Don’t you worry about Ben or the company.”

“I’m not—I love my job.”

“It’s a tough time to slack, given she’s looking for a promotion,” Breck said, earning himself another demerit.“I don’t work for the company anymore, babe.It’s out of my hands.”

That wouldn’t be the only thing far from his hands any time soon.Her decision to abstain in bed last night was all the brighter.Hope he wasn’t holding his breath for later.

“I’m happy with the job I have,” she said.“And I’d like to keep it.”

Alice and Carolyn laughed at the same time.Beyond besties, they were more like sisters.

“Ben would never take away your job,” Alice said.

Highly amusing, maybe, not so much after her conversation with Breck.

“One day Ben’s job will belong to your children.”And there was Carolyn’s bold tenacity.“Never forget that.I doubt he does.”

She’d skate on by that landmine.

“I don’t know.”Her revelation would shift the gears.“I did find out I only got my job because I was pathetic and Ben pitied me.That was fun news.No chance of a promotion for that person, is there?”

Not so quick to open his mouth, Breck found his reliable glare.The women weren’t laughing anymore.

“That’s not true,” Alice said, sort of devastated, which hadn’t been her intention.“Breck, did you tell Sequoia—”

“I didn’t say that.”His firm tone was more boardroom than bedroom, but if he wanted to speak up, so be it.“She’s a Breckenridge.I told her that happened, her inclusion in our family, before we met.That Dad would never have tolerated what Coy’s father put her through.My falling in love with her was incidental; she’s a Breckenridge with or without my affection.”

“Now that is true.”