CHAPTER FOURTEEN
I dialed Lauren’s number as I drove down the long winding roads towards the interstate. It went directly to voicemail. Shit, they were already on the plane. I pushed the gas pedal to the floor and followed the road signs to I-93 S.
After almost three hours on the road, my phone rang. “Where are you?” Lauren sounded frantic.
“Almost to my exit, where are you?”
“We just landed. We’re taking a car to the hospital. We can meet you in the lobby.” She sounded calmer than before.
“Sounds perfect,” I agreed and hung up.
I took the exit my GPS displayed as my route and followed the directions to the hospital. I looked around the parking lot for Lauren and Asher as I parked, but didn’t see anyone other than an elderly lady carrying a bouquet of flowers towards the front entrance. My heart raced as I wondered how Kennedy and the baby were doing. I parked, got out of my car, and rushed inside.
“Claire!” Lauren called out as I made my way through the revolving doors. She wore a long white sundress, strappy sandals and had her hair spun high into a messy twist on top of her head. She looked beautiful, classy… like a million bucks, or a billion bucks. I suddenly felt dressed very inappropriately in my cut-off jean shorts and low cut tank top.
Asher stood, extended his hand and pulled me in for a hug before Lauren could smother me herself. He was dressed in Crocs, khaki shorts, and a loose wrinkled shirt that was only halfway buttoned. His bright pink muscle shirt underneath was clashing with the other subtle colors in his attire, making me feel a little less self-conscious about what I wore.
“It’s so good to see you guys,” I gushed as Asher released me and Lauren snatched me up for her own hug. “How’s Kennedy and the baby?”
“Jackson is meeting us down here with an update,” Lauren said. “Asher just got off the phone with him to let him know we were here.”
The elevator doors opened, and Jackson appeared. He looked calm, and he smiled as he moved towards us. My heart raced, anticipating only good news. “She’s doing better, and the baby is strong like his momma,” Jackson said proudly.
“His?” Lauren asked with a squeal of excitement.
“Yes, it’s a little boy,” Jackson boasted.
“Oh my God, that’s amazing news. Can we see her?” I asked.
“Of course, I’ll take you up,” Jackson said.
On the way up to Kennedy’s room, Jackson filled us in on what was going on. “You know she’s stubborn. She wouldn’t take a day off, and she insisted on seeing this court case through, even though she knew she would be on her feet most of the day.”
We nodded, that wasn’t news to any of us. We knew how persistent and strong willed Kennedy could be, especially about her job.
“So, what did the doctors say?” Asher asked.
“They said she was dehydrated, and she bumped her head pretty good when she fell,” Jackson said. “Her morning sickness was leaving her physically exhausted.”
We followed Jackson out of the elevator and quietly down the long hall. He stopped at a large door with the numbers 348 bolted on with shiny silver screws. A sign had been posted — “Shhh, Mommy Sleeping” — along with a cute cutout of a pregnant woman holding her belly. It was so surreal that Kennedy and Jackson were having a baby. I was just now starting my life, and not doing a great job as far as I was concerned, and they were already bringing a new life into theirs.
Jackson pushed open the door and held it for us to enter. Kennedy looked absolutely amazing for a woman who had just collapsed. Her hair was flowing past her shoulders with large thick curls, and her hands rested on her belly beneath the thin white blanket that was draped over her. Her eyes widened as we neared her bed and her perfectly painted red lips parted into a beautiful smile. “You guys didn’t have to come here,” she said softly.
“Are you kidding me?” Asher said. “There was no keeping these two from you.”
Lauren moved towards her bed first, leaning over and giving her a tight squeeze. “I’m so glad you’re both okay.”
I took my turn, cutting in front of Asher and wrapped my arms around Kennedy. It was so good to see her. I hadn’t realized how much I’d missed my friends until right in that moment.
“Oh my, you had your cooking show. Is it done?” she asked softly. I could tell she was concerned I may have been booted already.
I smiled. “I’m still hanging in there.”
Asher finally pushed his way to Kennedy and took his turn at a hug. I knew he had a strong admiration for her, especially after all she done to clear his name, and Lauren’s.
Jackson took a seat in a wide leather chair. “Now, if you three can talk some sense into her, this won’t happen again.”
“I was fine this morning, just tired is all,” Kennedy explained with an eye roll. “I really thought I could get through the day, and I almost did.”
“So, what’s the big case that made you risk your health?” Lauren asked sternly. Even though Kennedy was about to be a real mother, Lauren was more motherly than any of us.
“Oh, nothing exciting really, just a city zoning issue,” Kennedy downplayed her role. After Asher and Lauren’s case, Kennedy had made quite a name for herself, and we knew any case she was involved in was high profile, not just a simple city zoning case. “Tell me about you guys, what have I missed?” she asked cheerfully.
“Oh you know, just enjoying the peace and quiet,” Asher deadpanned. He took a chair next to Jackson and leaned in to get the basketball game scores. Jackson had his phone set up on a stand on the table in front of him with the game playing. It was obvious he had been stuck in that room for longer than he liked. He was a good husband, sitting by his wife’s side, and I knew he would be a great father.
“Yeah, almost too peaceful and quiet at times,” Lauren said with a cute snicker.
Asher lifted his eyes from the game and winked at her. “Yeah, so that’s why she was so eager to jump on a plane and come see the action here in Boston you caused,” he directed his comment towards Kennedy with a smile.
“Well, I’m glad I could help bring some excitement to your life,” Kennedy said playfully.
“Is that what this is all about. You had this planned, didn’t you?” Jackson teased. “A day in the hospital for you to relax, some excitement for Asher and Lauren. So how was this benefitting Claire?”
“Well, it did get Claire out of the drama stirring during her cooking competition,” Lauren quickly interjected.
“Drama?” Kennedy asked concerned.
I blew out a breath, wondering how much I was allowed to share. “Yes, there’s a bit of drama happening on the show,” I admitted. “And I’m in the center of it all.”
“Oh no. Nothing too bad I hope,” Kennedy said.
I let out a long sigh and sat on the edge of her bed. She was my attorney too, after all. Client attorney privileges probably trumped non-disclosures, surely.
“This looks like our cue to leave,” Jackson said as he tapped Asher on the shoulder. “How about I go get you some dinner? You must be starving.”
“Yes, famished!” Kennedy exclaimed. Her eyes widened at the mention of food, and she began to rub her belly. She was getting big, not just her belly, but her face had filled out too, as well as her breasts that were now at least three cup sizes larger than I remembered.
“Breadsticks?” Kennedy asked hopefully.
“Of course,” Jackson replied with a grin.
“Pasta, anything with red sauce, and meatballs,” Kennedy added.
“Of course.” He raised an eyebrow. “Salad?”
Kennedy wrinkled up her nose. “No, I don’t think so.”
Jackson smirked. “Of course not.”
Asher stood from his chair and moved towards Lauren. I watched as his hands gripped her shoulders and squeezed as he leaned in to kiss her cheek. Lauren tilted her head back and pushed her face into his lips for the kiss. They were so cute together. Seeing them made me miss Aiden.
“Do you ladies want anything?” Jackson asked.
“A milkshake, strawberry,” Lauren said and licked her lips.
“What about you, Claire, a milkshake too, or anything else?”
I smiled at him. “A milkshake sounds good.”
Jackson went to Kennedy and leaned in for a quick kiss. His hand rested on her belly for a moment as his eyes lingered on hers. “I know, you want a milkshake too. Chocolate though, right?”
Kennedy nodded and smiled as he left the room with Asher following close behind.
“So, spill it. What’s this drama you’re surrounded in?” Kennedy asked as soon as the door shut.
I tried to start as close to the beginning as possible without making the story too long. I started with Shep, which immediately created another conversation about what he was like in person, if he was as cute as he was on TV, and what it was like being with him every day.
When I got to the part about him showing favoritism towards me and explained that he was actually flirting, both Kennedy and Lauren let out a squeal.
“Oh my God, that’s awesome!” Lauren exclaimed.
“I’ve heard a lot of good things about that man,” Kennedy said.
“You have?” I asked, surprised.
Kennedy’s eyes narrowed. “Is what I heard wrong?”
I shook my head, not willing to throw Shep’s good name under the bus, but also needing my friends’ advice. “It’s just some things Aiden told me,” I admitted.
“Who’s Aiden?” Lauren asked. I hadn’t gotten to that part yet and wasn’t even sure how to begin.
“Aiden Maxim, he’s one of the contestants.”
“Really? I know that name.” Lauren tapped her lips in concentration. “Isn’t he a professional chef?”
I nodded.
“So, what is he saying about Shep? Does he know him personally?”
“I don’t think he knows him personally, just stuff he hears from others in the industry, I guess.” I lifted a shoulder and fiddled with the edge of Kennedy’s sheet. “It’s nothing major, just that he was a womanizer and a bit of a drinker.”
“Oh, so he’s jealous,” Kennedy said and leaned back into her pillows. “That’s Jealousy 101 if you ask me. They make up stories to push the other guy out so he can make his move.”
I had thought about that; I couldn’t deny it. But I couldn’t imagine that Aiden would out and out lie to me about Shep, especially over something that tainted his reputation. Kennedy was amazing at reading people though, so I had to consider her opinion.
“Have you seen Shep drink?” Lauren asked, and I shook my head. “Has he made a move on you?”
I shook my head again. “He’s mostly a gentleman, but he’s definitely flirty and a little too free with his hands. The other contestants have noticed.”
“Well, look at you in those hot little shorts,” Lauren said with a chuckle, then grew serious. “It doesn’t sound like he is either of the things Aiden says he is.”
Kennedy agreed. “Has Aiden made a move on you?”
I instantly blushed at her question. He’d done more than that.
“Oh my God, you like Aiden!” Lauren exclaimed.
My face burned as I struggled to control the giggles pouring into my throat. “Yes,” I admitted.
“So, how far has this relationship gone?” Kennedy asked. Her tone was so serious, so lawyer-like that I instantly felt like I was on trial.
“Pretty far,” I replied and looked down at my twisting fingers.
“So, you two are knocking boots?” Lauren asked.
Kennedy threw a pillow at her. “Lauren, that is so crass!”
I smiled at my friends, so grateful to be here even as I sat in the hot seat of their inquisition.
“So, are you?” Lauren asked, more serious now. Her voice was gentle and calm as she reached for my hands.
I nodded and looked for any censure in their faces. Any hint that I’d disappointed them or they were worried I’d made a mistake.
Lauren gripped my fingers tighter and squeezed. “I’m so happy that you’re putting yourself out there.”
When I looked at Kennedy, her eyes shifted from mine, and her lips were pressed together. It was obvious she wasn’t as happy about my love affair as Lauren.
“You’ve only been there five or six weeks,” she began quietly. “How long has this gone on?”
Again, I felt like I was on trial. Her eyes were clear and full of authority. I wanted to lie, but I couldn’t. “The first week,” I admitted.
She sagged in the bed. “Oh, Claire, that is so soon.”
I knew she was right. I believed it had been too soon as well, but he was so damn sexy.
“So, is that what the drama is about? You and Aiden?” Kennedy asked.
“It’s a mixture between that and Shep’s attentions,” I confessed.
I braced myself for her response because I knew Kennedy wouldn’t sugarcoat her opinion on the matter. She was always straight forward and honest, and if she had an opinion about something, she voiced it.
“Well, I hate to say it, but by having a fling with another contestant, especially so suddenly, you kind of set yourself up for this type of drama.”
“That’s why I just want to leave,” I said sadly.
“Why would you leave?” Kennedy asked sharply. “Are you having an affair with Shep too, or leading him on in any way?”
I shook my head. “No, not at all.”
She narrowed her eyes. “And, this Aiden guy, you like him, right?”
I nodded, unable to speak past the knot in my throat.
She hugged a pillow to her chest, and her voice grew more gentle. “Then you may have made yourself an easy target, but that doesn’t mean you have to just sit and take it.”
“What should I do?” I whispered. I’d been so protected all my life with my boyfriend and best friends by my side. I’d never had to deal with anything like dating or making new friends. Reading people? I felt so incredibly stupid and naïve.
Kennedy’s eyes softened with compassion. “I think you should be careful with Aiden. I think he manipulated you away from Shep, and that worries me about his true character. And you should absolutely keep Shep at arm’s length because it will appear as favoritism if he gets too close. But leaving the competition? No way. You’re too good to walk away. You can win this thing.”
I looked toward Lauren, waiting to hear what she had to say. “I agree with Kennedy. You shouldn’t walk away.” She took a deep breath and leaned back into the leather chair she’d claimed once Jackson left. “But, as far as Aiden… if you like him, it doesn’t matter how soon it was. Chemistry is chemistry, and sometimes it’s too strong to deny.”
A tear escaped, and I quickly brushed it away. I needed to think this through logically.
I told them about the sabotages and the tampering of my stuff. They were both concerned that a lunatic was on the loose until I assured them that I believed it to be the Barbie look-alike behind it all. “She’s harmless, just annoying. I was really hoping she would be sent home in the last competition though.”
“How many are left?” Lauren asked.
“Five.”
“Even more reason for why you can’t quit now, that’s amazing. You’re so close.”
“I’ve been careful to steer clear of Shep lately, and I think things have started to calm down,” I said. “At least last night there was nothing tampered with in my camper, and I got through the competition without salt in my sugar or any other sabotage.”
“I believe you should continue on, show them what you’re made of, and to hell with the men,” Kennedy said sternly. “Push Aiden to the curb before he causes you any more stress.” It was obvious she didn’t trust him at all.
My stomach hurt at the thought. “It would cause more drama to dump him now, don’t ya think?”
Kennedy shook her head. “Who knows what he’s capable of,” she said softly.
Lauren spoke up. “I’m not sure I agree. Dumping him would be more drama, but more importantly, you like him.” She leaned forward and grasped my hand again. “You’re a smart girl, just keep your eyes open and don’t let him pull the wool over them.”
So, it was unanimous on the competition. They both wanted me to continue on, but the Aiden topic was certainly divided. Kennedy pushed for me to completely end it with him while Lauren told me to have fun. I was so confused.
What if Kennedy was right? Then again, what if Lauren was?