Ripe: A Stepbrother Pregnancy Romance (15 page)

“Hey, Elise,” Jesse called out when he spotted her in the parking lot after work. “I have to meet with my realtor tomorrow after work, so I’ll be coming straight from there. I was thinking about picking up something for dinner. Is that all right with you?”

“Realtor?”

“Yeah, I told you I was looking to buy a house, remember?”

“Oh,” Elise said. “Right, I guess I just didn’t realize you’d get around to it so soon.”

Elise couldn’t help but feel slightly jealous that Jesse would have an entire house to himself while she and Isaiah shared an apartment the size of a cardboard box, but life could be cruel that way. She struggled to free herself from the gaze of his steely blue eyes as quickly as possible before he took notice of her resentment. That wouldn’t do either of them any favors.

“Actually, I just finalized on a place,” Jesse added. “I just signed the paperwork today, which is perfect, because my lease at my condo is up next week.”

Jesse felt a heavy wave of awkwardness settle over them, and he was quick to break the ice, not wanting the conversation to head in the wrong direction. The last thing he needed was Elise thinking he was trying to take Isaiah away from her again. “So, dinner tomorrow night? You’re cool with me bringing it?”

“Actually,” Elise spoke up. “I’m going out to dinner with a friend, so if you wanted to get something for yourself and Isaiah, that would be great. Maybe pizza. He loves that.”

“Wait, you’re not going to be there?” Jesse frowned. He honestly couldn’t believe his ears. “Wow, I’m impressed. You actually trust me enough to let me be alone with him for more than twenty minutes? If that’s not progress, princess, I’m not sure what is.”

“Don’t call me that,” Elise spat, recoiling at the reminder of the nickname he used to call her in their youth. “And consider it a test, but don’t be foolish enough to think he won’t relay everything you say and do to me as soon as I get home.”

“Oh I don’t doubt that,” Jesse said with a laugh. “So this dinner. Is it a date or…”

“I don’t think that’s any of your business.”

“Oh come on, I’m just making conversation.” Jesse nodded as casually as he could manage, but he couldn’t ignore the odd feeling that had surfaced in his chest. “Just tell me this. Is it anyone I know? Someone from high school, maybe?”

“Actually, you do know him,” Elise spoke up. “It’s Davis, that new supervisor you’re training. He’s been trying to get me to go out with him for weeks now and I finally took him up–”

“No,” Jesse stated flatly. “Elise, you can’t go out with him. I’m serious.”

“Excuse me?”

“He’s a misogynistic pig. He isn’t the guy for you, and he’s certainly not the kind of person I want around Isaiah.”

“Oh, please, Jesse. I’ve had plenty of conversations with him and he’s a perfectly nice guy. I like to think that I have a pretty good radar about these things, you know, thanks to you. And anyway, last I checked, Isaiah isn’t the one going out on a date with him. I am.”

Jesse exhaled a deep sigh and clenched his jaw, but it took everything in him to hold back his rage. “Fine. It’s your business. If that’s the kind of guy you want, then who am I to get in the way?”

“Exactly,” Elise called over her shoulder. “I’ll see you tomorrow. Oh, and do me a favor. Don’t break your habit of being punctual because you’re jealous. I need to be out the door at seven on the dot.”

Chapter Twenty-Three

Stone’s malpractice department began its first wave of interviews for case scouting recruits the following morning. Elise ignored the long list of names posted next to the schedules as people vied for the top five most coveted spots.

Andrea and another one of Elise’s coworkers were discussing whether or not they were going to add their names to the list when she approached her desk. When she heard their conversation, she rolled her eyes.

"Oh not you two, too,” Elise said. “I swear…this is all anyone is talking about these days. Why is everyone acting like this comes with a raise?”

“You didn’t hear?” Andrea piped up. “The board just sent out a memo saying that the positions come with a three percent pay raise, and a hefty benefits package too.”

“Well isn’t that just great. Now they’re bribing people.”

As uninterested as Elise tried to seem, she couldn’t lie to herself. The raise, although miniscule, would certainly help her financial situation, and the benefits meant that she could actually take Isaiah to the dentist and doctor without going into debt. Still, working in case scouting meant that she’d be working
for
Jesse, not just with him, and that was
so
not a position she wanted to be in.

Speaking of Jesse, as his day off began to slowly unwind, Elise’s date was just about the only thing on his mind. Davis was a jackass and Elise deserved better, but the fact that she seemed to have taken such a liking to him was the only reason he felt extremely guilty about what he was about to do next.

“Mr. Stone?” his realtor spoke up. “Or do you prefer Jesse?”

“Yes, Jesse is fine, Karen,” Jesse said, glancing down at her business card.

Karen smiled. “So what do you think about the changes you requested?” she questioned, waving a hand around the empty house. “The contractors just left this morning.”

“I think they’re perfect,” Jesse said, looking around. “Thanks for the quick turnaround. Your guys work fast. The flooring came out especially well.”

“Well, let me tell you, I don’t get many buys in this price range. You must make a great living for yourself.” Karen looked at Jesse for confirmation and he nodded as he took in the vast space. “This sure is a lot of house for one person,” she commented, continuing to pry.

“I have a son,” Jesse explained. “He’ll be visiting me from time to time.”

“Aw. How old?”

“Just turned seven.”

“Well, if he’s anything like he’s father, I’m sure he’s absolutely adorable.”

Jesse smirked at the compliment, picking up on the thick air of flirtation in her tone as clear as day. “Well, I don’t know about that, but he’s definitely a cute kid. I think he takes more after his mother though.”

“So you’re divorced then?”

“Nope. Never married.” Jesse continued to look around the house, feeling all too aware as to where Karen’s line of questioning was headed.

“Well, if you ever have any questions about the nightlife in the area…”

“Actually, that reminds me,” Jesse interrupted, catching Karen somewhat off guard. “Would you mind doing me a little favor?”

“Sure,” Karen said just a little too enthusiastically. “What is it?”

“Would you mind calling this number for me?” Jesse scrolled through his cell phone, pulling up Elise’s number. “I have something I need to get out of. You’d really be saving my ass.”

Karen agreed and Jesse went on to give her exact instructions on what to say.

Elise answered on the first ring. She had just finished getting ready to meet Davis, and she was getting increasingly more nervous over the fact that Jesse had yet to arrive.

This was so like him.

“Hi,” a sexy female voice spoke up. “This is Karen, Jesse’s…assistant. I’m calling because I have a bit of bad news to deliver.”

“What?” Elise stood up a bit straighter and swallowed hard. She couldn’t believe he was doing this to her. “What’s wrong?”

“Oh, it’s nothing serious. Jesse just wanted me to let you know that he got into a bit of a fender-bender and won’t be able to make it tonight.”

“Well is he alright? Can I talk to him?”

“You can’t, actually. I’m sorry, but he’s on the phone with his insurance company.”

“It’s just…our son. He was supposed to–never mind. He’s okay, right? I mean…he wasn’t hurt was he?”

“No, he’s fine, just a bit stressed out at the moment. I can have him call you when he’s free if you’d like.”

“Yeah, that would be great.” Elise rubbed her temples. “Thanks for letting me know.”

When the call ended, Karen turned around to face Jesse and handed him back his cell phone. “So how did I do?” she cooed, taking a brief step towards him and running her hand down his chest.

“Excellent.” Jesse offered her an insincere smile and took a step towards the door. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were Meryl Streep. I guess if I ever have to get out of another engagement, I know the woman to come to.”

“So who was that?” Karen questioned, visibly flattered. “Ghost from your past?”

“Something like that.” Jesse winked at her and sauntered for his car. “Thanks again,” he called over his shoulder.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Elise rushed to meet Davis, wanting to let him know in person that she wouldn’t be able to make their date that evening. He was easy to spot when she rushed into Mangiamo’s. When he saw her pulling Isaiah along behind her, she noticed a look of disappointment flash across his face.

“Sitter fall through?” Davis questioned when they approached the booth he’d reserved for them near the back of the restaurant.

“Something like that,” Elise said, out of breath and visibly frazzled.

“Well, that’s cool. I already ordered a couple appetizers for us, and drinks too. Maybe you can have him sit over there, that way we can get to know each other a little more...
personally
.”

Elise scoffed, following Davis’ gaze to a booth somewhere down the aisle. Dear god. He
had
to be kidding. “Actually, I can’t stay,” she said, suddenly welcoming the excuse to get away from him. “I just got a bit of bad news and I have to go check in on a friend.”

“It’s not serious, is it?” Davis looked concerned for a moment, but the concern was quickly replaced by irritation as he watched Isaiah grab up a handful of salt and pepper packets from a bowl in the middle of the table.

“I’m not really sure at the moment,” Elise explained. “But um…maybe we can do this some other time?”

“Mommy look!” Isaiah said, pointing at a little boy who’d just won a large stuffed animal from a claw machine. “Can I try?”

“No, Isaiah, not now,” Elise hissed, pulling him back alongside her.

“Uh, sure,” Davis spoke up, appearing a little uneasy as he looked back and fourth between Elise and her son. “But a table for two next time, right?”

Elise realized what he was angling at right away. “Oh, uh, right,” she said. If her mind wasn’t so preoccupied with Jesse, she might have told him to forget about it right then and there. Andrea was right. Seeing how he behaved outside of work was pretty enlightening, and needless to say, she was definitely no longer interested.

After leaving the restaurant, Elise drove over to Jesse’s condo and found his car parked in his usual spot completely unharmed. After muttering a series of expletives under her breath, she quickly got Isaiah out of the car and paced over to his complex. She was moving so quickly that she almost missed Jesse, who was just getting back from his evening run. They bumped heads at the doorway, and he immediately looked guilty.

“Elise,” Jesse managed, looking back and fourth between her and Isaiah. “What are you doing here?”

“Well I just came to see how you were doing, but apparently you
and
your car have made a miraculous recovery.”

“For your information, the rental place had the same model available,” Jesse lied, but even he seemed aware of the fact that it wasn’t a good one. It was time for him to face the music. She’d caught him red-handed.