I looked to Jon, who squinted in Ainsley’s direction. "See what I mean?" Jon said, looking at me. “Business trip and she forgets her computer. She’s been like this for weeks.”
"In her defense, Jon, I almost forgot mine." I chuckled. "Give her a break. This is her first real job, and her first work-related trip. Surely, it's just nerves," I said, trying to cover for her. “She’s very eager to impress.”
"What's just nerves?" Ainsley said, stepping back into the living room, her laptop bag slung over her shoulder.
"Why you're acting so strange," I said, trying to hint at her to gather herself as I bent down and picked up her bags. "We've got to get going," I said, glancing at my watch.
"I'll see you Monday, Dad," Ainsley said, then leaned in to give him a hug. She stepped out onto the porch first, then I followed her, waiting until she was down the stairs, and then we proceeded to make our way to my car.
"See you later. See you, Spencer. I’ll keep an eye on your house. What time do you think you’ll be back on Monday?"
Ainsley continued walking, but I turned. "Our flight lands at nine in the morning. We will head to the office from the airport, so I will say dinnertime."
"Sounds good." Jon called out, "Love you, Ains."
Ainsley lifted her arm, waving good-bye, then she stopped outside of my car. I loaded her things into the trunk, and then together we climbed into the car. Once inside, I started the engine and backed out of the driveway, leaving our houses behind.
"Thank you for coming over. I couldn't take it. Seriously, I was about to cancel."
"Understandable. What was going on?"
"He just keeps telling me that I am acting strange. I've done nothing. I get up, I go to work, I call if I'm going to be late. Last night, however, he was all over me about it."
"He asked me the other day to stop working you so much. I of course told him I would, and then you probably went home and told him about this weekend." I chuckled.
"Yeah, he wasn't too thrilled about it, that much I can say."
I could see the stress all over Ainsley's face. I reached over and placed my hand on her thigh. “It’s going to be okay, Ains.”
She met my eyes, then looked down at my hand, her small hand coming down and resting on top of mine.
I'd signed the papers for the new office space and sent a message to Ainsley asking her to begin listing job openings within the company directory while I waited for the cab.
Seconds later, I looked down to my phone to see a message from BabyGirl89. A smile landed on my lips as I opened it.
BabyGirl89: Congratulations! I'll have a surprise for you once you return, to celebrate.
I was standing on the sidewalk grinning like an idiot when my phone began to ring. Expecting it to be Ainsley, I didn't wait for the call display to populate before I answered it.
"So, Ains...I can’t wait to see what you have in mind for my surprise."
"Spencer? What are you talking about?" Brittany's voice sounded in my ear.
The second I heard her voice, my body stiffened. "Brittany..."
"Yes, where the hell are you? I tried calling the house all weekend, but there was no answer."
"I'm in Denver, acquiring new office space. Not that you care."
"I see, and Ainsley's with you?"
"She's my assistant, Brittany. Of course, she is here with me," I bit out.
"Uh huh."
I rolled my eyes. "What is it you needed?" I questioned, just wanting to get rid of her.
"Spencer, I'd expect you to have a better assistant, honestly. I've been leaving messages for you at the office and you've never called me back. Has she been giving them to you?"