Best of My Love (Fool's Gold, #20)(46)

He lifted his left foot out of the hot water and dried it off, then did the same with his right.

The first time Shelby had suggested they give themselves pedicures, he’d about run screaming into the night. He’d explained that he was a man and real men didn’t do that kind of thing. She’d listened patiently, then had reminded him of their deal. Girl thing, boy thing. Pedicures were a girl thing.

So he’d suffered through the experience. After they’d soaked their feet, she’d given him a little kit with all kinds of strange, slightly frightening instruments. She’d taught him how to use them.

He’d had to admit—although only to himself, never to anyone else, even under threat of torture—the experience hadn’t been horrible. It was now something they did together every three weeks. Although he did draw the line at buffing his nails. No way that was manly.

When they’d each completed the trimming and filing, he pulled on socks while she grabbed her fuchsia toe separators. He looked over the polish choices she’d put out and held up a bottle of bright red polish.

“You don’t think it’s too much?” she asked.

“After what happened, you need something cheerful.”

“Good point.”

Aidan shifted so he could rest her right foot on his thigh, then carefully applied a base coat. He ignored the light pressure on his leg, the fact that she was in shorts and a T-shirt and that they were alone. Nope, he was not going there. He wasn’t going to notice how the T-shirt was cut low enough for her him to see the tops of her breasts. He wasn’t going to stare at her mouth as she concentrated on filing her fingernails. He was going to pay attention to the job he was doing. Later, he would take cold shower number 967 and count down the days left until their deal was over and he could finally get laid.

*

SHELBY INSPECTED THE trays of frosted cookies. They’d had a flood of orders, so she’d called in her teen assistants. The girls had done a great job with the flowers and hearts. Nothing said spring so much as a bridal shower.

She counted a second time to make sure they had plenty for the special orders, plus enough for the walk-in sales for the weekend, then noted her inventory sheets. She walked back to her office only to find Amber sitting in the visitor’s chair.

Her business partner looked up from her tablet. “There you are. I was hoping to catch you before you started making bread. I figured you’d have to come back here first. Which is why I waited.”

Amber was talking too quickly and her gaze seemed to skitter all over the room. Shelby got an uneasy feeling in her stomach. Something was wrong.

She crossed to her desk and sat down. In those three seconds, a million thoughts occurred to her before she realized that she’d created the problem herself. Of course. The newspaper ad. Amber was probably wondering why Shelby hadn’t mentioned the wedding to her.

“We have to talk,” Amber told her.

“I know. I should have said something.”

Her business partner frowned. “Why would you have said anything? It’s really up to me. And how did you know?”

Okay, they were obviously not talking about the same thing. Shelby rested her hands on the table.

“You go ahead. What did you want to tell me?”

Amber ducked her head, then looked at Shelby. Her eyes were bright with an excitement Shelby couldn’t define.

“I’m pregnant.”

Shelby felt her mouth drop open. “I wasn’t expecting that,” she admitted, then laughed. “Seriously? That’s wonderful.”

Amber smiled. “I know. It’s totally insane. I’ve wanted to tell you for a few weeks, but I waited. We wanted to be sure that I would get through the first trimester. I’m in my forties. Tom and I never thought this would happen, but it did. I’m thrilled and scared.” She leaned forward. “I’m also four months along.”

Shelby did the math. “So when you were feeling strange, it was because you were pregnant?”

“Uh-huh. I went to the doctor and that’s when we figured it out. Like I said, I waited to tell you because I was so afraid I’d miscarry. But everything is going well. Tom is over the moon with happiness. I am, too.”

She practically glowed with joy. Shelby got up, circled the desk, then hugged her.

“I’m thrilled for you. This is fantastic.” She sat on the edge of the desk. “Wow.”

“I know.” Amber sighed. “It’s terrifying and wonderful. I’m considered high risk, because of my age. So I’m going to do everything I can to make things go smoothly.”

Shelby held up her hand. “You don’t even have to ask. I’ll work more hours and take on anything you want me to. Pretend you don’t even own a bakery.”

“Thanks. I was hoping you’d be okay with me taking it easy. There’s a lot to worry about and at the same time, I’m not supposed to worry.” She touched her tummy. “I’m so happy.”

“I’m happy for you.”

Amber stood. “We’ll talk soon, okay? Oh, and if you could not say anything for a few days. I’m telling close friends and family first. My dad is beyond excited, of course. Threatening to buy one of every children’s book ever published.”

Shelby smiled, imagining Morgan’s happiness at finally being a grandfather. “I won’t mention it until I hear it from another source.”