Bailey
“You ready for this?” he asks.
I swallow hard but give him a thumbs up. “Good to go, boss.”
“Don't call me that,” he says and laughs.
It's D-Day, and I can't recall a time when I've been more nervous. Not even before my very first gallery show. My body is trembling, and it's not because it's freezing cold outside, either. There was a light dusting of snow overnight, and although the sun is out and quickly slipping toward the horizon as the day gives way to night – it was never warm enough today to melt it all, so the world around us looks like it's been nestled into a smooth, white blanket. It's one of the things I love about living here – the natural beauty of the seasons.
“If everyone’s scattered all over the country, how did they all get on the same flight out here?” I ask as the thought suddenly occurs to me.
Colin gives me a smirk. “One of the perks of being a family of corporate pigs is that we have a fleet of company jets,” he says. “We each have one, and they coordinated their flight itineraries to touch down at Logan at the same time, more or less.”
“Wow, you're never going to let me live the corporate pig comment down, are you?”
“Let me think about that for a minute – yeah, probably not.”
“Jerk,” I say and laugh.
“Just another facet of my charm.”
“So, you've got private jet money,” I mutter, cringing inside. “That's nice.”
“It's practical.”
The last few days have been wonderful. More than wonderful, really. Luckily, the firm has limited holiday hours in December, and I’ve been working remote a few hours each morning. The workload is light this time of year, so I've been able to fully enjoy my time with Colin. I’ve really started to fall for him. He's more different than I ever could have imagined, and he captures my mind and heart in ways I never thought possible.
I feel us growing closer, and even though neither one of us really acknowledges our feelings, we both know they're out there, hanging awkwardly in the air between us. It's almost as if we're afraid that if we give voice to them, they'll somehow disappear in a puff of smoke or something.
We're standing on the porch of his house, watching two dark SUVs rumbling noisily in our direction. Feeling uneasy, I look down at the giant, glittering diamond ring Colin gave me earlier today to reassure myself. Now that his family is almost here, however, I feel intensely guilty about deceiving them like this. Oh well. What can I do now? I check my dress one more time, making sure I look presentable. I've never been in the presence of so many wealthy people, and I'm afraid I'm going to stick out like a sore thumb.
But, I have to say, the dark blue dress really flatters me. It accentuates my small waist while highlighting the generous curves of my hips and breasts. Not to toot my own horn too loudly, but I look pretty smoking hot in this outfit. I look up and catch Colin staring at me with the purest look of love in his eyes – even though we have yet to even acknowledge that emotion exists in our little slice of the world.
“You look amazing, Bailey,” he says. “Absolutely gorgeous.”
“Thank you,” I reply, feeling myself blush.
The SUVs pull to a stop, and I feel the tension in my body ratchet up about fifteen notches. There's a hard flutter in my belly that's quickly surpassed by the one in my heart. I don't know why I'm so scared to meet them. I've always been good with people. The only probable reason I can think of is the fact that this is Colin's family, and I want to make a good impression on them. I want to impress them. I want them to like me.
Yeah, this whole thing may have started as a business proposal. And who knows, maybe he still thinks of it that way. But, a lot has happened since we agreed to this mutually beneficial partnership, and I feel like the nature of our relationship has evolved since then. I feel like it's grown and changed in only good ways. It feels more genuine. Heartfelt.
It actually feels like we're a real couple, rather than two people pretending to be together to execute some shady business deal. At least, that's how it feels from my end; I can't really speak to Colin's state of mind right now.
Given how the last few days have gone, though, I tend to think that this has become something deeper than a business arrangement for him too. I want to believe it when I see the way he looks at me. In the way he treats me. Truth be told, I've never been treated better by a man in my whole life. He dotes on me. Caters to my every whim and desire. Colin spoils me.
It's an amazing feeling, but also a scary one – for the both of us.
The doors to the SUVs open and three men, four women, and two small children all come piling out – and I can’t help but find myself wondering which one is Laurel. Colin rushes down the steps to greet them, and the brothers all cluster together, exchanging hugs, high fives, and bawdy humor – guys being guys, and all that. It's actually pretty damn adorable.
It's not often – or at all, really – that I see Colin this animated or excited. I can already see the love and connection between the Andersons, and instantly understand just how deep and strong their bond is. As I see the knot of people down there interacting, I feel a small pang of jealousy. Though, most of the time I'm okay with being an only child, every once in a while, like right now, I find myself wondering what it would have been like to have siblings.
A moment later, Colin rushes back up the steps, takes my hand, and gently leads me down to where everybody is standing. My throat is parched, and my stomach is flipping so violently, I'm afraid I'm going to throw up all over everybody's thousand-dollar shoes. I take several deep breaths in through my nose, and slowly let them out through my mouth, trying to steel my nerves.
“Guys, I want you to meet Bailey Janson, my fiancée,” Colin says. “Bailey, these are my brothers, Aidan, Liam, and Brayden, and their wives Paige, Holly, and Katie. And Laurel is over there too. I'll leave you all to make the individual introductions.”
He picks up a small boy and squeezes him tight. Colin plants a kiss on the boy's cheek, making him giggle. It's the cutest sight ever.
“Bailey, this is my nephew Jace,” he says, and then blows a kiss to a small girl hiding behind her mom's legs. “And that is my niece Charlie – Charlotte, to be precise.”
I raise my hand and give everybody an uncertain wave I'm sure looks awkward as hell – while inside, I'm kicking myself for being such a self-conscious goofball.
“Hi, everybody,” I say. “It's nice to finally meet you all. I've heard a lot about you.”
“And we've heard next to nothing about you, so let's go hook you up to the polygraph, and play twenty questions,” says a man with a lean, trim build a lot like Colin's.
“That's Brayden,” Colin says. “And he's kidding. I think.”
Brayden laughs and steps forward, pulling me into a tight embrace. I return it, but feel more than a bit awkward, given that I just met the man. He steps back after a moment, and smiles at me.
“Congratulations, you two! It's very nice to meet you, Bailey,” he says.
“It's nice to meet you too.”
“Come on, kids,” Colin says. “It's cold out here. Let's continue the getting-to-know-you part inside.”
We all turn and follow Colin up the steps. A woman in a long black peacoat, maybe a couple of years older than me, falls into step beside me, and I do a double take. On the surface, the two of us could be sisters. We've got the same midnight-black hair and eyes. Our body types and height are even similar.
“Uncanny, isn't it?” she asks and laughs. “We could be sisters.”
“I was just thinking the same thing,” I respond, laughing nervously.
This has to be Laurel. I know guys have types and given that this woman and I are virtual clones of one another, I'm guessing I know what Colin's type is. At least, I know now, anyway. So far, she seems nice enough, though. Given what Colin's told me about Laurel, I expected hostility, or at the very least, a cold shoulder. But she actually seems nice. Warm. Friendly.
“I'm Paige,” she says. “Liam's wife. It's really nice to meet you, Bailey.”
Okay, not Laurel. One down, three to go. Apparently, Liam and Colin have very, very similar taste in women. I don’t know how I should feel about that.
“It's nice to meet you too,” I say.
“I know I just met you like a millisecond ago,” Paige says, “but, I can already tell that you've been really good for Colin.”
I let out another bark of nervous laughter. “Think so?”
“Know so,” she says. “Colin is usually very somber and reserved. In the thirty seconds we've been here, I've seen him more animated than in the rest of the time I've known him. Combined. It's like you've brought him out of his shell or something.”
I give her a warm, sincere smile. “We work well together,” I say. “We complement each other in a lot of different ways.”
“I'm glad,” she says. “I've always wanted to see Colin happy. He's a good man and deserves to have an equally good woman by his side. One who challenges him to step out of his comfort zone. I can already see you're having a positive effect on him.”
“I'm glad,” I say. “He's a very good man.”
We step into the house and Colin's house manager, Rhonda, shuts the door behind us. She ushers us into the den, where everybody is standing around talking. There's a roaring fire in the oversized fireplace, and the decorations make it look like Santa's workshop exploded in here. Larger than life ornaments and gift boxes, are scattered around, while an ornately decorated Christmas tree – bigger than anything I've seen outside of a mall or Rockefeller Center – dominates the room from the corner.
The two small children, closely watched by their parents, play with the large Christmas train on one side of the room. I've never experienced anything like this, and it feels totally surreal to me. Talk about feeling like a fish out of water.
Paige links her arm through mine and gives me a reassuring smile. Now without her peacoat, I can clearly see her tiny baby bump. With how nervous I was, I almost forgot Paige was pregnant. “Trust me, I know what you're feeling,” she says. “It's more than a little overwhelming, right?”
“Yeah, just a bit.”
She laughs. “Just trust me when I say that you're not alone,” she says. “The Anderson brothers apparently have a thing for picking up strays like us and keeping them.”
She makes me laugh and I feel a bit better about the whole situation. “I just so feel out of place.”
“It gets easier,” she says. “I mean, the boys are all as down to earth as they can be.”
“I don't know about that, I'm having to break Colin of some bad habits.”
She grins. “About time somebody did,” she says. “Honestly though, the whole family is very level-headed. Just give it a chance because I have a feeling that you're going to fit right in with us.”
“And don't mind Laurel,” whispers a voice to my right. “She's not one of us.”
I turn and look at a redhead who's a few inches taller and maybe a year or two older than me. She's got milky-white skin, a figure to die for, and is model gorgeous. All of the Anderson wives are, actually. And then one thing stands out to me – all of the wives are right around my age, give or take a few years.
“The boys all like to marry young, don't they?” I ask.
Paige and the newcomer – not Laurel, obviously – giggle and nod.
“Yeah, it seems to be a trend with them,” Paige says with a laugh.
“I'm Holly,” says the redhead. “Brayden's wife, though I like to think of myself as far more than just that.”
“Don't we all,” Paige says.
We stand in a small cluster, and I look over at the woman watching both kids. I assume that has to be Katie – Aidan's wife, if I'm keeping score right. Which means, the tall, leggy blonde leaning against the fireplace with a drink in her hand, glaring daggers at me, must be Laurel.
“Not the friendly sort, is she?” I ask quietly.
Paige and Holly apparently don't even need to ask who I'm referring to, as both shake their heads in unison.
“I've felt more warmth from an ice cube,” Paige says.
“I accidentally bumped into her and got frostbite,” Holly adds.
All three of us burst into laughter together, and I can't help but feel like I've known these two women my entire life. They make me feel so welcome and accepted, which is crazy, since they don't know me at all. All I know is that we might only be ten minutes into this crazy adventure, but I already like these two – a lot.
“And what are we laughing about here, ladies?”
Colin slips his arm around my waist and places a soft kiss on the top of my head. It's an unexpected gesture, but one that sends a warm tingle through me. I lean against him, basking in the comfort I feel from being beside the man. Sneaking a quick glance over at Laurel, I watch her mutter something angrily to herself as she powers down the last of her drink. Casting an ugly glance at me, she stalks away.
Yeah, this is going to be a lot of fun.
“We were just grilling Bailey about you two,” Holly teases.
“What's there to know?” he asks. “We've been dating for – about how long now?”
I rack my brain quickly, trying to remember the story I'm supposed to remember. But, Laurel has me more than a bit rattled at the moment. So, all I do is nod.
“Honestly, I don't recall,” I say brightly.
“I think it's been about eight months or so,” Colin lies, quickly covering my flub.
It's probably closer to something like eight days, but close enough. Honestly, it doesn't even matter to me anymore. I feel like Colin and I are on the right path. I want to believe that our feelings are real, and that we're actually building something together. But, I know he wants to avoid drama with his brothers – and after seeing Laurel's reaction to me, I can understand why he feels the need to invent this fiction – so I'm just going to play along.
But, he obviously doesn't know that the wives all hate Laurel. Or, at least, that's the vibe I'm picking up, anyway. And I have to say, judging by my first impression of the woman, I can understand why. She doesn't seem to be a terribly pleasant person.
“It's great to see you both,” Colin says, giving both women a hug.
“It's wonderful to see you too, Colin,” Paige says. “I was just telling Bailey here that it seems like she's inspiring some positive changes in you. You seem –”
“Different,” Holly chimes in as Paige nods. “You seem lighter and freer than I’ve ever seen you. You actually seem – happy.”
He laughs. “You make me sound like I was a dour old codger before Bailey came into my life,” he says, then turns to me. “I really wasn’t.”
“Yeah, you really kind of were,” Paige says.
“Grumpy as all get out,” Holly adds.
Colin's laughter rumbles from deep inside of him. It's a warm and genuine sound – and honestly, really nice to hear. He gives both of the girls the finger, which only makes them laugh harder.
“I don't have to take this kind of abuse,” he says.
“Sure you do,” Holly teases. “We're going to be here for a few days, after all.”
“About that… I'm thinking of going to stay in a hotel,” he says.
“Like we wouldn't track you down,” Paige says.
Colin turns to me. “Don't let these harpies get into your head and turn you against me,” he says. “They're evil, the lot of 'em. Keep a sharp eye out.”
Brayden grabs him and pulls him away, the four brothers standing together, taking selfies, and laughing raucously. I watch them all together and can't help but smile.
“He really does seem different,” Holly says.
Paige nods. “Our girl here has had a very positive effect on him, I think.”
I grin but shake my head. “No, that's all him.”
“Bullshit,” Holly says. “It might have been inside him all along, but it took the right person to bring it out of him. Obviously, that was you.”
I feel my cheeks flush as a rush of gratitude fills me. Being around these two is helping me feel like I fit into this crowd. They're not the high-society, snooty as hell types – which is what I was expecting. They're incredibly down to earth, hilarious, and come across as genuinely good people.
“I'm gonna sit with the kids for a while so you can meet Katie,” Holly says. “But, we've got some talking to do later, Bailey.”
I give her a smile as she turns away and heads over to the kids. The other woman stands and crosses the room. I hold my hand out to her, but she pushes it aside, and wraps me in a tight, warm embrace, and I can't help but laugh.
“Hi, I'm Katie,” she says. “I'm the treasurer of the We Hate Laurel Club, and you just became my new favorite member.”
Paige and I laugh. Katie is a dirty blonde, with brown eyes, a shapely figure, and a Southern accent dripping like honey from her lips. Aside from all of us being around the same age, another thing I've noticed about the type of women the Anderson boys seem to be attracted to is that all four of us come across as feisty, independent women who like to speak our minds.
All three of the wives seem to have strong opinions, aren't afraid to share them, and have fierce, unique personalities of their own. Like Holly said, they might be Anderson wives, but they’re so much more than that.
“Seriously, Bailey,” Katie leans in, pitching her voice low, “don't let her rattle you. She thinks she's all that, but trust me, she ain't.”
I watch as Rhonda enters the room and goes to Colin. He leans down as she whispers something in his ear. He smiles and nods, before turning to the room.
“Okay, folks,” he says. “I hope you’re hungry, because I've been informed that it's time for dinner.”
“Who should we stick next to Laurel?” Paige whispers.
“Can we put her plate out on the back porch?” Katie whispers back.
All three cackle with laughter as we head toward the formal dining room.