20
Karina
I glance at my watch. The day seems to drag on forever, but by the time I get off and head downstairs, Ashton should be arriving with Ivy.
There’s no way I could make it by three o’clock to pick him up.
Ivy is a lifesaver.
She’s also a bit of a spitfire and a healthy dose of trouble, but I love my sister.
I change out of my work clothes and head for the elevator with Jocelyn. “I still want to hear everything about your new hubby,” she says. “How you met, what he’s like in bed. Give me the details, girl! I caught a glimpse of him, and he’s swoon-worthy.”
“What does that even mean?” I ask.
“Tall, dark, handsome. Oh, and the tattoos are even sexier. I bet he makes your panties melt,” Jocelyn says with a wicked grin.
“Shut it!” I warn her as we step into the elevator.
She smirks. “You should be coming into work glowing after your wedding night. Girl, you need a honeymoon!”
I roll my eyes.
“Not easy with a kid, a full-time job, you know, life.”
Not to mention the basic fact we’re not in love.
What I need is for her to stop talking about Aurielo. But I doubt she will, and the fact we’re going to run into Francesco isn’t going to help matters. She’ll have more questions.
We ride down the elevator, and I’m relieved when the bell dings and we reach the ground floor for the lobby.
Together we step out, and she follows beside me as I head toward the waiting area.
I bite down on my bottom lip. Why is Aurielo here? And Ivy hasn’t left either. She doesn’t look the least bit happy.
Aurielo is the last person that I want to deal with, especially right now with Jocelyn at my side. She has no idea who he is or why we married. And I can’t tell her. I don’t want to endanger her life.
But I’m confident someone will spill the truth.
“Hi!” Jocelyn squeals and offers out her hand to Aurielo. “Family reunion?” she jokes, noticing my sister.
“Something like that,” he says and gives me a confused glance.
“Sorry,” I say, quick to apologize. “Aurielo, this is my coworker, Jocelyn.”
“Coworker?” Jocelyn scoffs. “We’re besties. I was in the delivery room with Karina. That makes me family.”
“Only because I faint at the sight of blood,” Ivy says. “And I didn’t want to see this guy coming out.” She ruffles Ashton’s hair.
He scrunches his face. “Gross!”
“It’s nice to meet you,” Aurielo says, shaking Jocelyn’s hand as they exchange pleasantries.
I grab Ivy by the arm, pulling her close. “What’s going on?” I expect an honest answer from my sister. I didn’t anticipate that she’d hang around when dropping Ashton off, but they probably just arrived.
Although it doesn’t explain what Aurielo is doing here too.
“Aurielo showed up at pickup today,” Ivy fumes. “He insulted my car, and he insisted that you never told him about the kid.” She keeps her voice down, which I appreciate. It’s not a conversation I want everyone to hear.