All of Me (All Series Book 2) (20 page)

“Why do you want to leave what you are doing now then, if you seem to enjoy it?” Alec asked. Phil could see him softening and accepting Brynn now. Her explanation made complete sense. Construction still was a man’s world, and Phil would imagine most men would have trouble taking direction from a woman.

“I miss the construction end. I miss watching something start from the bottom, seeing it built in stages. Watching the excitement of customers when their dreams come true. I’ve been looking for a change, and there aren’t really a lot of opportunities for someone with my range of experience to blend the best of both worlds. I was lucky a friend of mine who lives locally saw the job and sent it to me.”

“So you have no problem relocating?” Phil asked.

“Not at all.”

Twenty minutes later, Sean was walking Brynn back to the front of the building while Phil looked over at Alec. “Well, what do you think?”

“She’s the one,” he said, smiling brightly.

Sean walked back into the room and Phil said, “You did that on purpose.”

“What?” Sean asked innocently.

“Saved the best for last, and put the worst right in front of her,” Alec said.

“So,” Sean replied. “It worked, right? She’s the best, don’t you think?”

“Yes,” Alec said. “When can she start?”

Phil chuckled. He knew his brother well, and Alec had pushed as much as he did because he liked what Brynn had to offer and he had to make sure she really knew what she was talking about. All the other candidates he had written off and shut down early in each interview.

“She said she needs to give two weeks’ notice at her current job, then another week to pack up and move.”

“Does she have a place to stay?” Phil asked.

“During the first interview she said she could stay with a friend until she found a place of her own. If she was offered the job.”

“What are you thinking?” Alec said.

“How do you know I am?” Phil replied.

“Because I know you, and you’ve got something on your mind, so spill it.”

“I was thinking that one of the ten houses we’re building is the model house. Finish it first, or make it somewhat livable and have her stay there. When she is meeting with potential buyers she can walk them through the house easier. It’ll be more secure with her living there, so we can leave all the sample stuff there too.”

“So you’re going to let her live free in the house for a while?” Sean asked, astonished.

“That’s a good idea,” Alec said. “Besides, she agreed with me during the interview about putting all the high-end finishes in the model home. With her background she can help pick out what she thinks might work. What she thinks will be the best selling features.” He turned to Phil. “I’ve been trying to tell you to go really high-end on the model home to get people in.”

“That’s true,” Phil said. “I liked her idea of putting all the samples in binders and organizing them so they’re accessible. That way she doesn’t have to pull pieces out of boxes like you do.”

“Sorry.” Alec grinned ruefully. “The customers don’t seem to mind. They still get what they want.”

“That did make more sense,” Sean jumped in to say. “It’s more organized that way too.”

“Agreed. That can be one of the first things she does when she gets here,” Alec said. “She was okay with the salary?”

“I gave her a range, and she said it was acceptable.”

“Offer her the top of the range. And throw out the idea of the house to her to see if she is willing or not. She may not be, but see what she thinks,” Phil added.

“You guys are being very generous,” Sean said.

“I don’t want to spend another day doing this,” Phil said. “And I think she is exactly what we’re looking for. I don’t want to run the risk of her turning it down.”

“Consider it done,” Sean said.

Exactly

“Why did your family plan two parties on the same day?” Sophia asked Kaitlin when she walked into Kaitlin’s home for the baby shower.

“It wasn’t my idea. It was Ryan’s. He thought it would be easier to have the women come here first, and the men go to Lucas’ and help get ready for their party. Besides, it’s really only family, some co-workers and a few friends of my mother and Michele’s for the baby shower.”

“True. How are you feeling?” Sophia walked over and laid a hand on Kaitlin’s belly. “Are they sleeping right now?”

“They always sleep when I’m moving around. The minute I sit down they start wrestling.”

Sophia chuckled. Then her eyes fell on Kaitlin’s chest. “You’re spilling out of your shirt.”

Kaitlin sighed. “I’ll be changing in a few minutes. Do you know how hard it is to find bras right now? I thought my chest was too big before, but this is crazy.”

“I’m sure Ryan doesn’t think so.”

“You would be right.” She waved her hand. “Enough talk about my oversized chest. How are things with Phil?”

“Good,” Sophia said, not sure where Kaitlin’s questioning was leading.

“Getting a little cozy lately.”

“What does that mean?”

“Come on, Sophia. This is me you’re talking to. You two spend a lot of time together. More than I’ve seen Phil with anyone else, especially this early on.”

It was nice to hear Kaitlin verify what she had suspected about Phil’s past relationships. “What can I say? I’m good.”

Kaitlin snorted. “I really don’t want to know about your sex life with my brother.”

“When have I ever talked about sex with you?” Sophia said, snorting.

“Well, not much. Not details. Probably because I was a virgin for so long. I wouldn’t have understood half of what you were saying. But I do remember one thing you said before.”

“What’s that?” Sophia asked, hedging and trying to rack her brain.

“That you were surprised when I told you I had two orgasms with Ryan that first night. I remember you saying you could barely have one, let alone two. Since you are looking so happy, I guess my brother might be the exception to the rule.”

“Do you
really
want to talk about how your brother is in bed?”

“No. Sorry, I don’t know what I was thinking. Forget I said that. Geez, now I feel ill.”

“Thanks a lot, Kaitlin,” Sophia said, grinning.

“I didn’t mean it that way,” Kaitlin rushed out to say. “I guess I wanted to know if it was serious between you two.”

“I think so.”

“Does he?”

“Of course. But you can ask him if you want,” she said coyly.

Sophia thought back to last week when Phil stopped over after work. She was finishing up paying her bills when he walked into the kitchen while she was opening and closing drawers.

“What are you looking for?” Phil had asked her.

“A stamp. It seems my landlords are a little behind the times and I’ve got to mail my rent check rather than making an electronic payment.”

Phil chuckled. “That would be Sean’s domain. Bring it up with him.”

“I think I will. And since I can’t find a stamp I guess I will have to mail it from my office tomorrow.”

“Give it to me. I’ll make sure Sean gets it.”

“Are you sure? I wouldn’t want to be late and get evicted,” she said teasing him.

“I heard you have it in pretty good with one of the landlords,” he replied, his eyes softening.

“Alec always did like me.”

He threw his head back and laughed. “Yes, he did. He still does.”

She wrote out the check quickly, ripped it out of her checkbook and handed it over.

He took it, stared at it for a moment and then hesitated.

“What’s wrong?” Sophia asked. “Did I write the wrong amount?” She reached her hand forward.

“No. It feels strange.”

“What does?” she asked, confused.

“You paying me to live in my house.”

“Phil, you own the house. I rent it from you. It’s business,” she reminded him.

“Yeah, I know. But just now, with you handing the money over, it doesn’t feel right.”

“Well, unless you’re going to evict me and make me look for another place, I’m paying you rent.” She watched as several emotions ran over his face. She wasn’t sure what he was thinking and was afraid to ask. She wasn’t ready for anything he might suggest, not that she thought he would. But either way, she wasn’t ready for that yet.

Kaitlin brought her back to the present. “I’ll take your word for it. Phil might not be too happy if I questioned him about you.”

Three hours later, brunch had been served, followed by cake, and Kaitlin was finishing up opening the last of the gifts. Sophia found she loved being around this group of girls. Everyone got along so well.

Michele stood up when the last gift was opened and Kaitlin started to thank everyone. “One more.” She handed over a small box. “This is from Ryan. He asked me to give it to you last.”

Kaitlin looked down at the small clothing box, and her face filled with love. “That was sweet.” She tore the wrapping paper open and then lifted the top and smiled, tears coming to her eyes. “I guess this is Ryan’s suggestion that I tell everyone the babies’ names.”

Sophia sat up straighter, the same as everyone else in the room. Kaitlin had been pretty tight-lipped about the names, and she wasn’t sure why. Now she was guessing Ryan had a part in it and this might be the way he had planned to tell everyone.

Kaitlin held up the little blue onesie, the front facing her. “Michele, for you.”

Michele looked up. Hope, curiosity, and anticipation showed on her face all at once. Kaitlin turned the onesie toward her mother-in-law first and read the name. “Cameron.”

“Oh my. That’s my maiden name,” Michele said, sniffling.

Kaitlin held up the pink one and turned it toward her mother. “For us, Mom. Harper.”

Cori jumped up and squealed louder than anyone else in the room. “Was it Ryan’s idea?”

Sophia looked over at Cori, who was bouncing on her toes in excitement while one hand supported her belly. “Yes,” Kaitlin said, uncertainty crossing her face as to why Cori was asking the question. “Why?”

“Because Jack came up with our name,” Cori said, amusement shining through. “And they’re best friends and I find it funny they were thinking the same way. I know we said we weren’t going to tell anyone our name, but I have to now. I don’t want anyone to think we copied you guys,” Cori rambled out, then gasped for breath. “Guess. Guess my daughter’s name.” Cori looked around the room, her eyes wide. “Come on everyone, guess.”

Sophia was laughing. It was pretty easy to figure it out, but she let Kaitlin answer. “Summer. You’re naming your daughter Summer Reynolds.”

“Yes!” Cori exclaimed, and ran forward as fast as she could and hugged Kaitlin, their bellies getting in the way. “Cameron and Harper Mathews and Summer Reynolds. Don’t they all have such a nice ring to them?”

Cori stopping hugging Kaitlin and glanced around the room in a rush. “Things come in threes, so who is next?”

Sophia laughed. “There are three babies on the way. I think it’s all covered.”

“No,” Cori said. “Three pregnancies.” Her gaze moved around the room fast with her eyes landing on Beth first.

Beth was quick to say, “Why are you looking at me?”

Cori giggled. “I heard Mac only had to look at you and you got pregnant. And guess what? There are fireworks tonight. Maybe it’s your lucky night again.”

Beth blushed, always so quiet, but she didn’t have a problem saying, “No, I’m not pregnant. Yet. But I’m sure it’s no surprise Mac wants another child at the very least. So move your eyes on to the next target, Cori.” Beth shook her head, laughing.

Sophia watched Cori’s eyes land on Presley, then shake her head. “Nah, too soon for you. You can’t even decide on a wedding date.”

“Hey,” Presley said indignantly. “We have a date.”

“You do?” Isabel said excitedly.

“Oops, sorry. No date exactly. We narrowed it down to the spring depending on the available dates at the venue.”

“Where did you decide to get married?” Kaitlin asked.

“We have that narrowed down too,” Presley said, laughing. “I promise we will have a date by the end of the month.”

“That’s great,” Cori said, “but back to the babies.” Her eyes landed on Sophia next and the dread set in.

“Oh no,” Sophia said. “Don’t even think about it. Phil and I have only dated for a few months.” No one needed to know that the subject of children had come up. Not at all. Or that she already imagined herself with a child of Phil’s.

“Okay, you’re off the hook.” Cori swiveled her head and landed on Brooke. “That leaves you.”

Sophia watched as Brooke started to blush. Before Brooke could say anything, Cori was rushing over and pointing her finger. “You’re pregnant. Say it, you’re pregnant.”

Michele turned hopeful eyes on Brooke. “Are you?”

With a sigh, Brooke said, “Yes.” Then covered her ears as Cori squealed. “But it’s early. Just six weeks. We weren’t going to tell anyone.”

“Sorry,” Cori said. “I guess the cat is out of the bag. Better let Lucas know. Oh my God, it’s raining babies.”

Sophia looked around the room, saw all the happy couples, saw their plans for weddings and families, and for once in her life realized she really did have it all. Because she wanted what was going on in this room: A family with a man who had actually given her exactly what she had been dreaming of her whole life.