Josh’s call to his dad after breakfast went straight to voice mail. The same thing happened when he tried his mom, although he’d expected as much in her case. The woman was impossible to get in touch with. While he left them both messages, they’d been vastly different ones. Considering the message he left his dad, Josh expected a call back before lunchtime. One never came though. Even now as he pulled into the garage at the Mayfair, he still hadn’t heard from the man, and he wondered if he should try him again. Thanks to Pauline, news of his and Courtney’s engagement would be front and center on multiple media sites tomorrow, including the ones associated with Today Magazine and the Star Report. He’d prefer if his dad and stepmom didn’t find out he and Courtney were getting married from any of those. Oddly enough, he’d received a text message from his mom promising to call when she had a chance. In reality, that meant the call might come tonight or in another two weeks. It really was anyone’s guess.
Popping the trunk, he removed his two suitcases. The cell phone in his back pocket went off as he settled them on the pavement. He slammed the trunk closed before pulling out the device.
“You couldn’t have called an hour ago,” he muttered when he saw Dad on the screen. “Hey, Dad.” Rather than head into the warm building, he climbed back into his car. He’d prefer to keep this conversation private and, at the moment, inside his car was the only place he could guarantee he wouldn’t be overheard.
“Sorry I didn’t call you back sooner. This is the first chance I’ve had today. Did you get news from your lawyer?”
“No, what I want to talk to you about has nothing to do with Adalynn,” Josh explained. “Before you hear about it from someone else, I wanted to tell you I’m engaged.”
Silence followed Josh’s statement, and he checked his watch while he waited for a response. Courtney had told him to come by around six. It was almost six now.
“This seems sudden. You didn’t say anything about proposing to anyone when we saw you last night.”
Across the parking garage, the stairwell door opened, and a couple stepped out. If they saw him and thought it odd that he was sitting in his car, they didn’t show it. Instead, they walked past him and climbed into a vehicle further down the row.
“I asked Courtney back in December. At the time, we decided to wait to share the news.”
More silence greeted his comment, and Josh got ready for a lecture.
“Congratulations, I guess,” his dad finally said. “We won’t have time this week, but when Laura and I get back, we’d love to meet her.”
The fact his dad and stepmom were soon leaving for almost a month had completely slipped his mind. He’d prefer his dad be at the wedding, but he wasn’t willing to postpone it to make it possible. “When are you getting back?”
“We’re supposed to fly home on the twenty-ninth, but we might extend our vacation a few extra days.”
“The wedding is on the first.” He’d received the text message from Courtney after lunch letting him know her uncle would do the ceremony then.
More silence. Stewart Williamson was known for always having something to say. The fact he’d rendered his dad speechless so many times in one conversation demonstrated just how shocked his dad was by the news.
“I know patience isn’t one of your strong points, but on this, I suggest you wait a few more months before getting married. How long have you even known this woman? Before now you’ve never mentioned her.”
No way was he telling him the truth, and he didn’t want to take the time to share the story they’d concocted. “Long enough, Dad. And we’ve already decided. Evan’s agreed to be my best man, and I’m going to call Shannon later and tell her. Hopefully she can make it.” His younger sister was finishing up a PhD program in Connecticut, so she might not have the time to come home.
“Listen, Dad, I need to go. I’ll talk to you later.” He didn’t give his dad a chance to respond before disconnecting the call, because he was sure he’d get another comment about rethinking their wedding date. Stepping out of the car, Josh shoved the phone back in his pocket and hoped his dad didn’t call back wanting to continue their conversation.
He picked up hi
s pace when he saw a woman step inside the elevator at the other end of the lobby. She must have seen him approaching, because she held it for him.
Maneuvering his suitcases against the wall, Josh smiled. “Thanks.”
“What floor are you going to?” Her finger hovered near the control panel where the button for the tenth floor was already lit up, but her eyes never strayed from his face.
“Penthouse, please.”
Her eyes dropped down to the suitcases and then back to his face as she jabbed the button. “You look familiar, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in the building before. Are you staying with friends?”
It wasn’t any of this individual’s business, but soon enough everyone would know anyway. Besides, answering her was better than being rude, and if he made one rude comment to anyone, the entire world might find out. “No, I’m moving in.”
“Oh.” The woman’s mouth made a perfect O shape. “Well, welcome.” She extended her hand. “My name is Meg.”
Shaking her hand, he wondered how much longer until they reached the tenth floor. Too Long. “Nice to meet you.”
“You look like J.T. Williamson,” she said before he could give her his name. “I read he was in the building last night too. Was it you?”
Josh nodded, fully expecting Meg to ask for a picture like the woman from the night before. “Please call me Josh.”
If Meg planned to ask for a photo, she didn’t get the chance, because the doors opened, revealing a carpeted and thankfully empty hallway. “This is my floor. Have a nice night. I’m sure I’ll see you around.”