CeCe pressed into the office, nearly knocking poor Zoe on her butt. “Sorry,” CeCe said as she pushed Ginny to the side and slid into the only other seat. “I tried to explain that I don’t need an appointment, because I’m best friends with the owners. Plus, I needed to get off my feet.”
Zoe glared as CeCe made herself comfortable, kicking her feet out to rest on the edge of Natalie’s desk. Natalie saved the day by offering Zoe the next best thing to kicking CeCe out on the street. “Thanks, Zoe. Why don’t you take the rest of the afternoon off? Our last appointment canceled, and you could probably use the time to wrap presents or do something festive.” She flapped a manicured hand in the air, politely dismissing their newest hire.
“If you’re sure?” Zoe asked, already backing out of the door.
“We’re sure,” Ginny confirmed, waving over her shoulder.
As soon as the office door snicked shut, CeCe rolled her eyes. “You two really hired some serious employees. Were they former Pinkerton Guards? Do you know I had to sweet talk my way back here for nearly two minutes?”
Natalie arched an eyebrow. “You know how to sweet talk?”
Ginny coughed and covered her smile with the merlot bottle. “I’ll have you know I can be very sweet,” CeCe protested. “When I’m not eight months pregnant with twins and hangry.”
Natalie opened her top desk drawer and pulled out a bag of Halloween candy. She tossed it on the desk and gestured at the pile. “Please, help yourself, Momma. Every time I see you, you remind me why we stopped at two kids. Although, I do love squeezing the fluff out of little Maybelle.” She sighed wistfully, popping another candy in her mouth.
Ginny snuck a piece herself. “What the babies want, the babies get.” Through a mouthful of peanut butter she added, “and that mindset continues until they’re out of high school.”
CeCe didn’t need to be told again, snatching up three mini caramel bars with lightning-fast reflexes. Biting into the first bar, she tossed her head back and made NSFW sounds. “God, why is chocolate so freaking good?”
Natalie unwrapped her own candy before asking, “What brings you in today? Other than free candy and a bathroom.” Over the last three months, CeCe would use their office as a public restroom when nature called. At first it was entertaining, until a young intern stumbled in on CeCe having a moment that involved support hose that were stuck and the vocabulary of a longshoreman.
“I was in the neighborhood,” CeCe said with a laugh. “Well, I wanted to check on the menu for Christmas. Between your husband”—she pointed an accusing finger at Ginny—“and mine, I can’t get any answers on what’s needed.”
“Um, maybe they’re keeping you in the dark since you’re supposed to be on bed rest,” Ginny shot back, smirking through her peanut butter cup.
Natalie frowned. “Yeah. Shouldn’t you be at home on a pile of pillows being worshipped?”
“I’m not a homebody. Have you two met me?”
CeCe was always on the go, and usually in a kitchen. If she wasn’t in the diner, she’d be on their food truck or helping Max prepare for Max’s Gin Joint. Not to mention, she’d been prepping menus for the bakery at Beckett’s farm. She was used to being busy, and she hated feeling the lack of control that came with pregnancy.
“You’re about to be the biggest homebody,” Ginny said, holding up a finger and adding, “and that wasn’t a fat joke. I’m actually impressed you’re not bigger with the twins.”
“The fact that you can still tie your own shoes is both impressive and really annoying,” Natalie lamented, slurping from her wine. “When I was pregnant with Otis, I couldn’t see my own ankles until he was out of diapers.”
“I’ll have you know I haven’t seen my feet in ages. I manage the task by sonar. I’m like a bat.” She squinted her eyes and flapped her arms, causing Natalie to choke on a Hershey’s Kiss.
Ginny snorted, recovering quickly. “Going back to your Christmas question, Momma-to-be, it’s covered.”
Natalie nodded. “We were actually just discussing this when you interrupted our meeting.”
CeCe scoffed, holding up the now empty bottle of merlot. “Oh yeah. I really interrupted a meeting of the minds.”
“I only had a glass and a half,” Ginny bragged.
“That’s only because her husband isn’t picking her up,” Natalie retorted. “I’m getting a ride from Representative Snyder, so I can drink to my heart’s delight.” She punctuated her point by tossing back the last of her wine.
CeCe chuckled. “Why do I feel like you call Anthony that in the bedroom?”
“Do I want to know?” Anthony asked from the doorway. He was dressed in one of his navy tailored suits, his dark hair graying at the temples.
Natalie waved him over, leaning over the desk to smack a kiss on his cheek. “Hello, Representative Snyder. We were just talking about you.”
He turned to look at CeCe and Ginny before rolling his eyes. “Whatever she said, it’s probably a lie.”
“I asked if she—” CeCe’s explanation was halted by Ginny’s hand over her mouth.
“Ignore all of us. Happy hour started early, and we’re glad you’re here.”
