Justice Falling (Falling #3)(2)
That first year I worked at a diner. Back-breaking, pain-inducing manual labor, but I never complained. The owners kept me on even when I was ready to pop, knowing I needed the money. It’s where I met my roommate Jin. I was living out of a crummy hotel, and she had a place and needed a roommate. I was a few months pregnant at the time, and knew I had to save every dime of that ten grand for my child. Turned out she’d already had a one-year-old of her own. Together, we shared a crummy apartment on a dingy side of town, worked like dogs for scraps and raised our children as one happy family unit. It was the best decision of my life. Jin and I get along famously, and our children treat each other like brothers. It’s the family I’ve never had.
Our apartment wasn’t much, but we kept it clean, warm, and stuffed with food for the boys. Her son, Zach, was a five-year-old fireball, where my Tan Man was an angel child. Polar opposites those two, but the best of friends, just like Jin and me. They say God only gives you what you can handle. I don’t know if that statement bears any truth, but as far as children go, I definitely had the best.
“Hey Sweetie, do you have that purchase order from Bill’s Lumber?” My boss knocked his knuckles on my desk, the sound unusually loud, due to his size. The man was huge. All muscle and man in a hunky cowboy package. Even his southern drawl made my belly jump a time or two.
“Who are you calling, Sweetie?” An agitated voice from behind him proclaimed as the door opened and closed. I knew that voice. Without turning around, my boss, Mr. Hunky Hank Jensen himself, grinned wide and shuffled a paw through his sandy brown hair shaking his head.
“Angel,” he said wistfully, then waggled his eyebrows at me. I beamed a smile back at him knowing he was about to get an earful.
God, these two made me believe true love existed. I had seen it every day for the last three months. Hank spun on his heel and there she was. Hip cocked to one side, long blond hair flowing like a golden wave over her shoulder. She had on a sexy form-fitting siren red dress that hugged every curve. Most specifically, the huge basketball-sized baby bump. Aspen Jensen was a knock-out. Pregnant or not, she’d make any man drop to their knees and worship at her feet, which is exactly what Hank did. First he fawned over his wife, then he got down on his knees and rubbed and kissed the bump. It made me wish I had a man who loved me and Tanner that way.
“How’s my baby girl doin’? You comfy in there, Darlin?” he asked Aspen’s stomach sweetly. She allowed his overt public display, running her fingers through his hair and smiling as only a woman completely in love would do, regardless of who was watching them.
“She’s good, Stud. Rolling around like crazy, but that’s to be expected.”
“What week are we in?” I asked, knowing what was coming next.
Hanks eyes lit up as he covered his wife’s belly with both hands affectionately. “We’re now a head of lettuce, Baby,” he said happily looking up at Aspen. “Twenty six weeks and counting. Whoa Nelly!” Hank spoke to his child. “You be nice to your Mama now. Don’t be kickin’ too hard. ” He stood, shook his head, and pulled his wife in for a kiss.
It boggled the mind how hands-on my boss was with his wife. He did not care who was around or what they were doing. He was constantly touching her, kissing her, and overall being the most doting husband I’d ever seen. It was pretty storybook. It didn’t seem possible that a couple so different in every way could be so perfect for one another. For them it worked. I’d never been so lucky, but I had Tanner and he was all I needed to be happy.
“How are you feeling Mrs. Jensen?” I asked as Hank stood, rubbed her stomach and held his wife close.
“Sleep deprived, need to use the restroom every five minutes, hungry and then stuffed. It’s all encompassing.”
“That’s because you’re growing the world’s most perfect little girl in there!” Hank palmed her belly again. I had to give it to Aspen. Hank couldn’t keep his hands off her and she handled it like it was the norm. I couldn’t imagine a man putting his hands all over me all the time. It made me claustrophobic thinking about it. Then again, if the man looked as good as her husband I might have a change of heart.
“Have you guys picked out any names?”
They both nodded and smiled. “We have, but we’re keeping it a secret. We don’t want anyone to sway our decision. I hope you understand.” Aspen rubbed her hand over her belly.
“Oh I understand perfectly. When I was preg … “ both their eyes widened, and I realized what I’d almost admitted to. “Um, what I meant was, I understand the need to be private.” Aspen squinted, and tilted her head to the side to assess me. Those crystal-blue eyes were sharp, the kind that saw everything, especially when you didn’t want them to. That’s probably why she was a ga-zillionaire, and owned the entire skyscraper Jensen Construction was housed in.
“Cami, do you have children?” Aspen asked point blank. Hank’s eyes widened in surprise at the question. I know my face turned completely white. I could feel it going numb around the edges. Before I answered, Oliver, Aspen’s personal assistant and BFF, rushed in, saving the day, just like he did the day he found me in that diner three months ago and told me he was going to change my life. Oliver’s pointed pristine features were set in a scowl, and his manicured hands in fists. I was pretty sure I had never seen him so flustered.