THREE MONTHS LATER

Ash flexed her right hand against the steering wheel. The cast came off a couple of months ago, but since the temperature dropped, she felt an ache in her wrist when she pushed it too hard. She was grateful to have full use of her hand back again, though.

She pulled into the parking lot of the rec center, and parked next to Mischa’s SUV. He spent most of his free time here, working with various contractors, and overseeing the remodeling needed to turn the warehouse into what it needed to be.

Once his name was associated with the project, it brought donors out of the woodwork. Given what she remembered about her father’s associates, she suspected some of that was competition. No one wanted to be the guy who passed on the charity someone donated an entire building to.

She picked her way across the ice. It didn’t matter that the parking lot was heavily salted, she wasn’t taking any chances. She passed Victoria’s car. The sight didn’t bother her the way it would have a few months ago. They were on polite terms now, sometimes it even bordered on friendly, and she knew Mischa wasn’t interested.

Ash’s father had tried to stir up trouble with the firm, around the donation of this property. The paperwork was all in order, though. She didn’t think that would stop him from trying a few more angles, but she hoped he’d give up soon.

She stepped into the building, and a blast of warm air brushed around and past her. As her eyes adjusted to the bright indoor light, she spotted Kelly at the far end of the room, near the door to the offices.

“Mischa’s in a meeting.” Kelly kicked out a chair as Ash got closer. Kelly spent a lot of her afternoons here. The snow kept her from skating outside, but Mischa had promised as soon as they got the indoor concrete set up, she could be the first to test it.

Ash dropped into the seat. “With who?”

“Victoria and some guy in khakis. He seemed nice, so I don’t think it’s a bad meeting.”

“I appreciate the assessment. How long have they been in there?”

“I don’t know. An hour? Victoria’s pregnant.”

Ash stared at her sister in shock, not sure how to respond. Victoria looked like she might be putting on weight, but everyone was wearing bulkier clothes so it was hard to tell. “What?”

“You heard me.”

“How do you know that? Why do you know that?”

Kelly shrugged. “I overheard her on the phone when I got here. She made me promise not to tell.”

“You’re telling me.”

“I’m sure she didn’t mean you.” Kelly turned her attention back to her homework. “Can you help me with this problem?” She flipped the physics book around so Ash could see the page.

Ash walked her through the logic, the news about Victoria bouncing around in her head, with curiosity about the meeting. She doubted the two were related, but that didn’t stop her from wondering about both.

Her head shot up at the creak of hinges, and the office door swung open.

“I’m looking forward to it.” Mischa shook a man’s hand. The guy looked the way Kelly described. Victoria was with them too, and all three were smiling.

“What are you looking forward to?” Ash tried to keep her attention from drifting back to Victoria, and only partly succeeded.

“I got a job.” Mischa looked pleased.

Victoria met Ash’s gaze and raised her brows. “Your fiancé is our new Rec Center director. You and I need to talk.”

“Whoa, hey. Stealing my thunder much?” Mischa didn’t sound upset.

Victoria grabbed Ash’s wrist and tugged. “Celebrate when we get back.”

Ash broke away to approach Mischa. “Congratulations,” she said. “I want details.”

He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her in for a kiss. It was simple and light, but it still stole her breath and sent heat rushing over her. That would never get old.

“Two minutes. Please?” Victoria’s request was tinged with impatience and something Ash couldn’t identify.

Mischa brushed his lips over Ash’s cheek. “Go see what Ms. Impatient wants.”

Ash gave his hand one more squeeze, then followed Victoria to the far end of the lobby.

“Kelly told you,” Victoria said the moment they stopped.

Ash searched for a denial, but that didn’t feel right. “Is it a secret?” Obviously, if her sister wasn’t supposed to talk about it.

Victoria frowned. “Only for a little longer. I won’t be able to hide it, but I haven’t figured out how to tell the father yet.”

“I didn’t know you were dating anyone.”

“I’m not.”

Open mouth, insert foot. “Not that you have to be. Your life, your choice.”

“Stop. Please? Don’t make this more awkward than it is.”

Ash twisted her mouth. “Is it someone from work?” Why was she still asking questions? Victoria wasn’t going to confide in her.

“Not my work.”

Odd answer.

“I have to tell someone.” Victoria sighed. “I’m going to burst otherwise. But you have to swear to keep your mouth shut. You can’t even tell Mischa.”

“You know if he asks, I’m going to say something. Why does it matter who the dad is?” Even as she asked the question, pieces clicked in her head. Why it mattered if Mischa knew. The odd country club dinner three months ago...

“Forget it. I never said anything. I’ll tell T—the guy in a few days, and then the secret will be out.”

“Holy crap, it’s Tristan’s.” Ash snapped her mouth shut. She didn’t say that too loudly, did she?

Victoria cringed. “Just give me a couple more days to be the one to break the news.”

“We’re celebrating,” Mischa called. “You two joining us?”

“Two seconds,” Ash hollered as she glanced back at him. She turned to Victoria again. “I’ll do my best. Don’t make me keep it secret for too long?”

“I promise. Thank you.” Victoria smiled.

They rejoined everyone.

“What’s up?” Mischa asked.

Ash didn’t know what to say.

“She’s helping me with gift ideas.” Fortunately Victoria seemed to have it figured out. “Can’t say more or it’ll spoil the secret.”

“Fair enough.” Mischa pulled Ash close.

“Congratulations again.” She kissed him on the cheek. The news about the job wasn’t a complete surprise, there had been hints about it for a while, but he was going to do an amazing job.

Victoria’s news tickled the back of her mind, but it wasn’t hard to push it aside. Not thinking about it would make it easier to keep the secret.

Besides, she was happy to focus on Mischa. How pleased he looked, how perfect he was for a position like this, and how their lives intertwined and fit.

Cinderella never had it this good. It was all the way it should be.

THE END

~*~

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