“You might be unbeatable tonight. But we’ll try.” Logan, who was a younger version of Nick, grabbed a stick.
By the end of the evening, Kristi couldn’t believe she’d had so much fun. She tried to remember the last time she’d laughed this much. Mitch’s family was great company and so was he.
She hated to leave, but it was past ten and she had to work tomorrow. “It was nice to meet all of you,” Kristi called as they went up the stairs. They said goodbye to his parents and Mitch took her home.
“Glad you came?” Mitch asked as they drove.
She’d been afraid at first, but it had turned out better than she’d hoped. “Yes. You have a great family.”
“Not too rowdy for you?”
“No.”
After a brief lull in which the song on the radio changed, he said, “They liked you.”
“Really? I wasn’t sure. Your sister Maria…” Kristi paused, uncertain what to say.
“Maria doesn’t like anyone. Just ignore her.”
Kristi sensed there was more, but Mitch was turning onto her street. He walked her up to her door, and followed her when she invited him in. “All I have is soda and decaffeinated coffee.”
“I’m good. I probably shouldn’t stay.”
“Thank you for today. For everything.”
“I told you we’re friends.”
Suddenly she wanted their relationship to be more. She wished she could be that dream girl, and not just a fake date.
But before she could say anything, Mitch kissed the top of her forehead. “Sleep well, Kristi, and I’ll see you tomorrow.”
And with that, he was gone.
Chapter Eleven
“So tell me, where do we stand?” Larry Jensen glanced around the conference room. “Have you made any progress?”
Kristi watched as Mitch reached for his coffee. Since Easter, Mitch had been oddly distant. Sure, they’d put up a good front, but something had changed. Maybe it was the intensity of their jobs. They were down to the wire on contract talks. Whatever it was, she didn’t like it.
“They still don’t agree on the benefits plan,” Mitch said, catching everyone’s attention.
Larry frowned. “We need to get these negotiations finalized.”
“I agree.” Mitch took a sip and set his coffee aside. Down at the other end of the table, Marvin was nodding.
“Did you find any wiggle room?” Marvin asked.
“I think so.”
Mitch pressed a key on his laptop, projecting a slide onto the conference room screen. The union negotiations were stalled, and the contract would expire in three days. Kristi’s father had attended this meeting to personally assess the team’s progress. She knew he was worried.
“Here’s what I would suggest we do,” Mitch said, starting his presentation.
Hours later, after a working lunch, those in the room had come to an agreement. They’d finished drafting a new proposal right around quitting time, and the dark mood had lifted. All around her, people were getting to their feet and exiting, ready to go home early for a change.
Kristi rested back against her chair, satisfied. The proposal was damn good; Mitch had found a way that the company could meet its growth targets and still satisfy key union demands. She’d send out a press release before she left this evening that Jensen was ready to propose a compromise.
She moved a hand to her stomach, feeling the little fluttering underneath her fingers. She’d started noticing fetal movement a few days ago, but hadn’t realized at first what was going on. She’d read that first-time moms often missed the baby’s kicking, not recognizing it as it wouldn’t be more pronounced until the baby was a little bigger.
Mitch paused in packing away his laptop and leaned over. “Are you okay?”
“Baby’s moving,” she whispered.
A few heads turned their way, but most people had lost interest in the novelty of Mitch and Kristi being a couple. There’d been a lot of company watercooler gossip and speculation at first, but it had faded. She wasn’t sure they’d managed to convince her father their relationship was real, but everyone else seemed to buy into it. The problem was, she had no idea how to end the charade and she wasn’t sure she wanted to end it. Alison had been right—she was falling in love with Mitch.
As Kristi rose to her feet, one of the secretaries did a double take. “When are you due?”
Since she was forbidden to exercise or exert herself, Kristi’s stomach had rounded outward with a vengeance. So far she’d kept the pregnancy quiet, but now the secret was out. “September.”
“Congratulations. To you, too, Mitch.”
“Uh,” Mitch stammered, but the secretary was already breezing out.
Kristi placed her hand on the back of her chair. “Are you okay?” Mitch asked.
“Fine. Um, I have to go draft this press release. How about I call you later?”
Mitch frowned. “I thought we were meeting your parents at the club?”
“I’m going to cancel. I’m tired.”
He was immediately concerned. “Get some rest. I’ll drop by your office before you leave.”
Ten minutes later, Alison entered Kristi’s office. “You sounded upset when you phoned me a moment ago, so I got my mom to watch my kids in case you needed me. Do you want to go out to dinner?”
“No. I’ve lost my appetite.” Kristi told her about the secretary’s comment in the boardroom.
Alison whistled low. “I was worried about this.”
“And you didn’t say anything?”
“The doctor told you not to stress out. I figured why make you worry about the inevitable early? You know you’d obsess over it.”
“So everyone thinks the baby is Mitch’s?”
“It’s better than them thinking it’s Bill’s.”
“This is getting so out of control.” Kristi banged her fist lightly on the chair arm. “He’s going to suspect.”
“As much as I hate to say this, you’ve got to tell him.”
“I can’t. He’ll hate me for not telling him sooner.
Be sides, he likes someone else. How can I ruin his future?”
“So change it.”
“What?”
“You’re falling for him. Steal him away from that stupid dream girl. Make him fall in love with you. Then spring it on him. He’ll be thrilled.”
“Did your mother drop you on your head when you were a baby?”
“I’m serious. How else did you think this might end?”
“I don’t know. Every move I make is the wrong one.”
“Which is why you need to be honest. This has gone way too far. Your house of cards is built on lies. You’re too involved. The truth always comes out, and you care for him. Tell him now.”
Kristi’s eyes widened. Mitch was coming down the hall. “He’s here.”
“Good luck. I’ll talk to you later. If you need me I’ll be at home.” Alison rose, said hi to Mitch and left.
“Get everything done?” Mitch asked, giving her a smile that curled her toes.
“Yeah. I did.” He came around the desk and began to massage her shoulders. His fingers were magic. “Mitch?” “What?”
“I’m sorry I put you in this situation. I’m keeping you from having a real girlfriend. A real life. A real love. And everyone’s going to assume you’re the father of my child.”
“I care about you. I told you that before. Let’s not speculate on things that don’t matter. I’m here because I want to be.”
She let her head fall forward so he could better reach her neck. “Is your plan working?” “What plan?”
“Making your dream girl jealous?”
“I’m starting to think that doesn’t matter anymore. Kristi, I—”
His fingers kept working magic, but he’d stopped talking. “What?” she asked. “Nothing.”
“Maybe I should start. I think I want to make this real. Would you be willing to see if you and I could be more than friends
?”
“What brought this on?”
“I think I’m developing feelings.”
His fingers stilled and she froze, almost too fearful to move. She’d put herself out there. Then his fingers began to work again. “I’d like to make this real, too. You mean a lot to me,” he said.
She didn’t totally relax. “However, I am worried. I fail at relationships all the time. You and I could be ruining a good friendship.”
“Or we could be making it better.”
He spun her chair around so that she faced him. His eyes had darkened and he leaned down, capturing her lips with his. A shiver of pleasure ran through her and she sighed as he deepened the kiss. She threaded her hands into his dark hair, enjoying the silky texture, and lost herself in the moment.
When they finally broke apart, he smiled and gently wiped the corner of her lip with his thumb. “There.”
“Wow.”
“I’d say.” He helped her to her feet and he arched an eyebrow, mirth crossing his face. “So my kisses are okay?”
She grinned. “They’ll do.”
“I’ll have to work on that.”
And as Mitch kissed her again, Kristi decided that this was definitely better than friendship.
KRISTI HAD NEVER been to a party in a church basement before she accompanied Mitch to Lauri and Cristos’s engagement party that Friday. The place was packed.
Music blared from speakers attached to an iPod and paper streamers reading Congratulations hung from the ceiling and walls. A table hosted a photo display of the engaged couple. Women were setting up a potluck on a long series of tables. Compared to catered events with their perfect silver buffet servers, the food tonight came in a plethora of mismatched disposable containers.
“Kristi!” Sue Ellen approached, her hands extended to envelop Kristi in a big hug. “I’m so glad you could make it. How’s the baby doing?”
“Constantly kicking,” Kristi replied.
“Let me feel.” Sue Ellen placed her hands on Kristi’s stomach. “The little tyke is active.”
Mitch’s mom straightened and turned to her son.
Kristi indicated the outstretched plate Mitch held. “I made brownies.”
“Her very first attempt,” Mitch boasted. “I sampled them and they’re good.”
Kristi beamed under Mitch’s praise. They were just a box mix, but she’d done it herself rather than stopping at a bakery.
“Mitch, put the food over there.” Sue Ellen directed Mitch to a table covered with desserts. “You come with me.” She took Kristi’s arm and propelled her through the crowd. “There are people I want you to meet. That’s Mitch’s grandmother, my mother-in-law.” Sue Ellen gave a small wave. “We’ll talk to her later. My mom’s first or she’ll never speak to me again. She’s been dying to meet you.”
“So you’re the girl who’s snagged our Mitch,” Mitch’s grandmother said in greeting. “He sure talks about you a lot.”
“Thank you.” As the evening wore on, Kristi relaxed.
No one seemed to think it strange that Mitch was dating his pregnant former boss. Most accepted her easily, and Logan reminded her they had to play pool again.
By the time the buffet line started, she’d met almost every relative Mitch had. She’d even met his first girl friend, a high school sweetheart who’d been a friend of Maria’s. She was now married with three children and had wished Kristi well.
Once she and Mitch had filled their plates, they sat on metal folding chairs at one of several long tables placed end to end. Maria and Paul sat down across from them.
“Ready for that pool game?” Paul asked.
“Absolutely.” Kristi reached for a fried chicken wing.
“Too bad there’s no table here or we’d beat you tonight,” Mitch added.
“As if,” Paul said with a laugh.
“So, are enjoying yourself?” Maria asked as the guys began to talk pool.
Kristi nodded. “I am.”
“Did Great-grandma Major ask when you and Mitch are getting married?”
“She did,” Kristi admitted. Mitch’s great-grandmother had also crossed herself a few times when she’d seen Kristi’s stomach. Kristi hadn’t been certain if Great-grandma had been cursing her or praying for her.
“Don’t worry. She’s always like that.” Lauri and Cristos sat down to Kristi’s left.
Cristos used his fork to scoop up some baked beans. “Yeah, you should have heard her when we said we might hold our wedding at the botanical garden instead of a church. It’s not like we wouldn’t have a priest officiating.”
“It wasn’t pretty,” Lauri added, dipping a carrot stick into some ranch dressing.
“So, have you decided on a venue?” Kristi asked, steering the conversation to safer waters.
“Not yet,” Lauri admitted, and dinner continued.
Afterward, Kristi excused herself to use the restroom. Maria was waiting for her when she exited the stall. “Hi.”
“Hi.” Kristi began to wash her hands.
Maria leaned her hip against one of the porcelain sinks and didn’t mince words. “I figured we needed to talk.”
“All right.” Kristi reached for a towel. Of all the family members, Maria had been the least welcoming.
“What are you doing with Mitch?”
The rough brown paper crumpled between Kristi’s hands. “Excuse me? We’re dating.”
“You aren’t the type of girl who dates guys like my brother.”
“I’m not following you.” Actually, Kristi was, but she really didn’t want to get in a fight. Not tonight. Not when she and Mitch had just decided to make this real.
“You aren’t from our world. Are you slumming?”
Kristi’s denial came quick. “What? No!”
“Then what are your intentions? Everyone out there is asking Mitch when his own engagement’s coming. I don’t want you playing with my brother’s heart, much less breaking it.”
“Mitch and my relationship is our business.”
Maria tilted her head. “True, but as you can tell from all the revelry out there, our family is extremely close. We know everyone’s business. We also know Mitch has had a thing for you for years, and suddenly, here you are by his side.”
“He’s had a thing for me?”
Maria looked at Kristi as if she’d grown two heads. “Why do you think he kept working for you instead of taking a promotion? And all of a sudden, now that you need a father for your baby, you notice him. That’s a little too convenient for my liking. It was bad enough when you were his boss. My brother’s a good man. You have him wrapped around your finger and I don’t like it.”
Kristi bristled and squared her shoulders. “I care for Mitch. I don’t intend to hurt him. You’ll have to be satisfied with that. This is our business.”
Maria frowned, not conceding. “I don’t mean to be rude, but I want you to understand something. We’ve all been waiting for him to find a nice girl and settle down. But ever since he started working for you, he can’t keep a relationship.”
Kristi’s eyes narrowed and she remembered the dream girl, and Louisa, with whom he’d had no sparks. “You’re saying I’ve been in the way of him finding happiness.”
“You’ve been quite the diversion. You need something and he drops everything to come running. It’s like he has blinders on where you’re concerned, and what’s worse is that you don’t even see him for the wonderful guy he is. Until now, when you need him around to protect you.”
“I don’t need him to protect me.”
“This isn’t a joke to him. To him your relationship is very serious. He’s wanted you for so long, and now here you are. His dream finally came true.”
At those words, Kristi paled. Beside her, Maria immediately appeared worried. “Are you okay? I didn’t mean to upset you by all this. I only wanted you to realize the truth. This isn’t a game to my brother.”
Maria was the least of Kristi’s concerns. “I’m fine.
I need to talk to Mitch.”
Kristi left the bathroom. Mitch was on the dance floor, doing the electric slide with a group of relatives, including his great-grandmother. Seeing Kristi’s face, he left the dance floor and came to put his arm around her shoulders, supporting her with his strength.
“What’s wrong?” he asked. Maria had followed Kristi out. “Maria, if you—”
“I’m the dream girl who never noticed you.”
Mitch frowned. “What?”
“The girl you told me about before the Christmas party. That was me. I thought all along she was someone else. I was jealous of myself.”
How had her life gotten so crazy? She couldn’t believe that. Mitch, who she’d considered a friend, had been hiding long-standing feelings from her.
“What was I supposed to say? You weren’t interested in me. You were my boss. It was better to pretend.”
“It’s like being lied to.”
“How? Okay, maybe I let you assume. But I wanted to be with you, and you would have run for the hills if you’d known how I felt. You asked for only one night.”
Until she’d become pregnant, when she’d asked for more. Maria’s words were like a fist of guilt squeezing Kristi’s heart. “I want to leave. I don’t feel well. Please take me home.”
“Yeah, let’s go.” Mitch took his keys out of his pocket and led her to his car.
When they reached her house, Kristi hopped out before he could come around and open her door. He caught up with her as she fumbled for her house keys. “Kristi…”
She turned to him. “I want to be alone tonight. If you care for me like you say you do, you’ll let me be and give me time to think this over. Please go home.”
Mitch backed off. She could tell she’d hurt him by the pain in his eyes. “I don’t understand, but okay.”
She pulled her door open, relieved when he didn’t try to stop her. Soon she was inside, and moments later she heard his car drive away.
“I CAN’T BELIEVE he’s liked you all this time.” Alison lifted the coffee mug to her lips. In response to Kristi’s text message, she’d brought half a dozen freshly baked doughnuts over first thing Saturday morning, and Kristi had poured out the entire story.
Baby in the Boardroom Page 10