Behaving Badly in Vegas (Vegas Love #3)

41. Chapter 40

Chapter 40

Charli

I had just put Carina down for a nap when the doorbell rang.

Who in the hell could that be? My best guess was Mrs. Hadley next door. She and I chatted quite a bit and she absolutely adored Carina.

Looking through the peephole, I was surprised to see Gia and Penny. I threw the door open. “Aren’t you two supposed to be at work?”

“We’re playing hooky,” Gia said, pushing her way inside.

Penny followed, carrying greasy take-out bags. “We brought lunch. Have you ever had Tico’s Tacos?”

“The food truck? I’ve seen it, but I’ve never stopped.”

Penny opened the bag and held it out for me to sniff. “Brett took me there on one of our first dates. It’s to die for.”

Somehow, I had a tough time reconciling a billionaire with a food truck. “I thought he’d spring for something a bit more fancy.”

Penny shrugged. “Good food is good food. Doesn’t matter where it comes from. ”

Gia looked around the apartment, taking in the high chair, toys, and playpen. “So this is where Hunter lives. It’s very bachelor-ish, well, except for all the baby stuff. Gah! I still can’t believe he’s a dad. Where is the little munchkin anyway?”

“She’s taking a nap. You’ve never been here before?”

“Nope. Never had a reason… until you.”

“Me?”

Penny put the bags on the kitchen table and emptied them, doling out the tacos. “Yes, you. Inquiring minds want to know.”

“About?”

Gia shook her finger at me. “Don’t play dumb with us, missy. We all saw Hunter come to your defense and call you his girlfriend. I mean… you two looked cozy at the concert, but obviously, things have progressed.”

“Spill the tea, girlfriend. ” Penny sat at the table and motioned for us to do the same. “Is it terrible that I know these tacos are going to give me heartburn, but I’m going to eat them anyway? I never had that problem before I got pregnant.”

I reached into the cabinet next to the sink and pulled out a bottle of antacids. “Eat the tacos.”

She took a bite and hummed. “This is how I know we’re going to be great friends.”

I didn’t know these women well, but they seemed hell-bent on showering me with friendship. “I’ll tell you on one condition. When and if this thing with Hunter ends, I get to keep the two of you.”

Gia made a face. “Like we’d ever dump you for Hunter. Granted, he does seem like a different man since Carina showed up, but we knew him before. Wasn’t a fan. Not only did he say the most inappropriate things, but he videoed Trent and me during a private moment. Everyone in the office saw me orgasm. It was completely humiliating.”

“True story.” Penny nodded her head as she chewed. “At least you weren’t naked or had your boobs hanging out.”

Gia practically face-planted into her tacos. “I guess, but it still sucked,” she groaned .

The picture they painted wasn’t a pretty one. I didn’t know what to say, so I took a bite of my taco. “Oh, wow! These really are good.” The flavors burst on my tongue, creating a fiesta in my mouth. I pushed away from the table. “Diet Coke for anyone?”

“Me,” Gia reached out with grabby hands. “You know the way to my soul, Charli.”

I laughed at her theatrics.

“Water for me. I’m trying to lay off the caffeine for the sake of this little one.” Penny rubbed her belly, which had popped out significantly since her announcement. “The things you do for your kids.”

“Enough stalling,” Gia said, popping the top of her can. “Are you and Hunter a thing or what?”

I wobbled my head back and forth. “Yes and no. Yes, for now, but he hasn’t committed to anything beyond my time as Carina’s nanny. When I go back to Oasis, things will be different.”

“He’ll have to get another nanny,” Penny said, putting the pieces together.

“I assume so. I mean… I could still be with Carina some of the time, but with scheduled practices and shows…” I shrugged my shoulders.

“Rose would watch Carina,” Gia said. “I know she was hurt Hunter didn’t ask her from the beginning.”

“Seems there’s some history there. I’m not sure it’s an option.”

“It’s totally unfair that men don’t have to give up their jobs to have kids, but women are expected to stay home. And the price of childcare is ridiculous. I want to keep working once the baby is born. We can afford childcare, but then I’d miss everything. There has to be a better solution.”

Gia tapped a finger against her lips. “You’re totally right. I don’t really want to give up the job I worked so hard for when we get pregnant. What if there was in-house day care at Mystique? You’d be assured your child was well taken care of, but you could see them on breaks and at lunch.”

Penny sighed. “That would be a dream. I know other employees would appreciate it too.” She snapped her fingers at Gia. “You should get on that. You’re married to the boss’s son. If anyone can make it happen, it’s you.”

“Hunter did say Mystique is all about family,” I agreed .

“It’s definitely something to bring up to Trent. If we came up with a solid plan, I don’t think Edward would object.”

It was a decent idea, but it wouldn’t help me. I would be back at Oasis in less than a month. There was no way they’d get a day care up and running in that short amount of time. Besides, day care wasn’t really the issue between Hunter and me.

“I don’t know if he wants to keep me,” I blurted.

“What? Why?” Gia asked.

“I don’t know. I jokingly brought up marriage once and he freaked out.”

“He’s scared,” Penny concluded. “Brett had the same issue. What is it about men and commitment? They don’t even know how good they have it until we’re gone.”

“Hunter seemed to do fine before I came into the picture.”

“He was a miserable human being,” Gia said. “Since you’ve come into his life, he’s much more tolerable. Sometimes, dare I say, nice. Even I can see the changes and I have every reason to hate him.”

“Behind every successful man is a kick-ass woman. History is full of them: Jackie O, Coretta Scott King, Eleanor Roosevelt, Yoko Ono, and let’s not forget the most important one… Penelope Quinn Kingston. I swear Brett would be lost without me.” She waved her hand in the air like it was an undisputed fact.

Gia laughed. “Girl, you’ve come so far in the time I’ve known you. You used to be so insecure, and now you’re one half of a power couple. A badass in your own right.”

“Thank you, thank you very much.” Penny’s face glowed from the compliment. “Charli’s a badass too. Any woman who can tame Hunter deserves an award.”

“I don’t think I’ve tamed him. He can still be grumpy and boorish with everyone else. I just know how to put him in his place when he acts like a jerk. ”

“As a good woman should. Unfortunately for you, it’s a full-time job,” Gia said with a smile.

“That man would be a fool to let you go,” Penny added.

Or maybe I was the fool for thinking he wouldn’t let me go.