The Assistant(95)

“They’re not all bad, Adrian.”

“Okay fine. We can have kids. Just not right away,” Adrian announced, before telling the driver to take us home. Amy and Allen were in a separate car, and Allen agreed on taking her home on his own.

“I want a lot of children,” I stated, looking down at my lap.

“You do?” I looked back up to find Adrian looking down at me with surprise.

I nodded, clearing my throat. “I’ve always wanted a big family…” I trailed off. “Just forget about it,” I mumbled, feeling awkward.

“I mean, I guess we could-” Adrian was interrupted by the shrill ringing of my phone, and I answered it instantly. “Hello?”

“Smelly Emily!” Blake greeted cheerfully.

“Hey Blake,” I replied.

“What’s wrong? You don’t sound happy. What happened? Did that douchebag do something to hurt you? I swear-”


“No Blake, everything is fine!” I cut him off.

“Hmm. You don’t sound fine.”

“I am. What’s up?” I asked curiously.

“Well, mom and dad told me to call you and invite you over to our family barbeque tomorrow. I know you work on Saturdays, will you be able to make it? We’ll start it at dinner time for you if you like. Oh, and mom said bring Adrian along. Aunt Veronica is going to be there and so is Sienna. Sienna’s pregnant again! Did you know that?” Blake asked all at once, making me laugh.

“Slow down, Flakey! I’ll ask Adrian if we can leave a little early and text you the answer. But is Sienna really pregnant again? That’s her 4th child in 3 years!” I exclaimed in happiness. Sienna got married to her college boyfriend and fell pregnant with twins instantly, catching both her husband and herself off guard. Since then, they’ve been the golden parents within the family.

“I know! I hope it’s a girl, she loves boys but I’m pretty sure it’s her husband’s turn to get the satisfaction after three boys,” Blake pointed out.

I laughed along with him just as a thought came into my mind. Sienna’s children would be at the barbeque dinner tomorrow. This would be my chance to show Adrian that not all children were bad. Sienna’s boys were pretty tame kids. They were cheeky, but behaved well when they were told.

“Okay,” I told Blake. “I’m going to have a chat with Adrian and I’ll get back to you with our answer. Say hi to mom and dad for me.”

“Okay, I’ll see you soon – hopefully. Bye.”

I ended the call after that, and turned to Adrian with the hopeful expression I knew he always cracked under. “My parents are having a family dinner with my aunt and cousin tomorrow and want us to come over. Is there any way we can leave work early to get there on time tomorrow? That’s if you want to go. I mean, I understand if you don’t because it’s your-”

“Shortcake,” Adrian said, cutting off my rambling. I looked over to him again and found him looking at me with the ghost of a smile on his lips. I bit my lip and gave him an apologetic look once I realised I was rambling, and he ushered me over to him before pulling me in for a kiss. “Of course we can go,” he said. “It’ll be great to see them again.”

I nodded absentmindedly, too distracted by the way Adrian had his shirt on, before pulling him in for another kiss. It lasted longer and was rougher, more heated, and it was Adrian who pulled away this time.

“Wow. What was that for?” he asked with a smirk.

I blushed once I realised my actions and sat back in my seat. “I- you had something on your lips,” I lied lamely, turning an even deeper shade of red.

Adrian chuckled before raising an eyebrow. “Well, I’m glad you managed to get it off my lips and let me get to second base.”

“I’m texting Blake,” I muttered in response, too embarrassed to reply to his observation.

“You’re sharing the wonderful news of getting to second base? I’m sure he doesn’t want to hear about that, Shortcake.” Adrian smirked.

I glared in his direction before getting back to my phone. “I’m telling him we’re coming!”

“I don’t think he wants to know that detail either,” Adrian laughed.

“Why not? He’s the one who called me and asked if you and I were – oh my God, Adrian! Not that- oh my God. You’re impossible.” I blabbed, turning red again once I realised Adrian’s joke.

He chuckled and pulled me into him again before placing a kiss on my forehead. “You are, hands down, the best girl I have ever met,” he muttered with a smile on his face.

I temporarily forgot about the text for a moment and looked up to meet his hazel eyes, matching his expression.

***

“Emily!”

“Sienna!”

“Blake!” Both Sienna and I turned our heads towards my brother, who was waving his arms around like a girl.

“What? I was feeling left out.” He shrugged, making us both laugh.

“I’ve missed you so much!” Sienna squealed, averting her attention back to me.

“Me too! Congratulations on the new baby, by the way! I’m so happy for you!” I grinned, pulling her in for another hug.

Once she pulled away, she sighed. “We’re over the moon. I hope it’s a boy again.” She frowned slightly with a look of determination in her expression, making me laugh.