Champagne Brunch: The Stiletto Sisters Series by Ainsley Claire (easy readers .txt) 📗

to face,” she says as she leans back against the sink in my kitchen with her ankles crossed. “I got the signed ball and poster over to the kid you met down in San Diego.”

“Thanks.” I take another bite of cake. Mmmmmm…

She looks at me over her cup of coffee. “His dad called to thank you profusely.”

I nod. “Oliver was a good kid. But anyway, you’re right. It has been a while since I’ve seen you. How’s the summer going with your kids?”

“One minute I want to make a sign that reads Free to a good home and put them in the front yard, and the next they’re loving and kind and I want them to live with us forever.”

“Sounds like fun.” I’m still trying to place the other thing in the pumpkin cake. That’s more pleasant to focus on than all the other more stressful options. “You’re taking them to the game today, right?”

Kelly and Monica have two boys who love baseball, and I made sure they had good seats for the game.

She nods. “They’d string me up if I didn’t. I’ve got a few things I need to do here where I can concentrate without two kids fighting nonstop, and then I’ll head home to get them. Thank you for the tickets. We really appreciate it.”

“It’s the least I can do for all the help you provide. Oh, and it’s been an exciting morning—Alana is flying in tomorrow from Sydney. I’m not sure where she’ll stay once they get acclimated to being back in the States, but they’ll be here for a little bit at least.”

“Boy, do you have your hands full,” Kelly says. “We can introduce them to my boys so they’ll have someone to hang out with.”

“I think Alana will love that.”

“What’s the home office going to say about Marco being back?” she asks.

I shake my head. “Marco needs to be removed from my client list. We should send a letter to his permanent address to terminate the relationship and remove him from my roster. He hasn’t paid me in years, and I dropped sixty grand to get Alana and the kids home.”

Kelly’s eyes are big as saucers. “Wow.”

I give Kelly a brief rundown of what I know about Alana’s situation. “She lands tomorrow morning at eight and will need to get through customs with the boys,” I conclude.

“You’re a kind and good big brother.” Kelly pats me on the shoulder as she walks up to our home office.

SoBe is looking at me.

“Did Jeremy take you out this morning?”

He walks over to his bed.

“You’re not itching to go out, so that’s a yes.” Jeremy shouldn’t have gone out this morning, but Bryan will work with him on that.

I run upstairs, take a quick shower, and put on a nice pair of khakis and a fancy button-down shirt. This is a big game, and I want to look good.

I want to get there in time to see the warm-up. I bet Mia would love to join me.

Me: I’m heading over to the stadium in about an hour. Do you want to join me and walk around the field?

 

Mia: I’d love to. Can Peter and I pick you up? I’m not without him these days.

 

Me: Yes, and I feel like we need to talk about what’s going on with you.

She doesn’t respond right away.

Mia: Tonight, after the game and all the excitement.

 

Me: I think I have to stay in Nate Lancaster’s guest house tonight, but definitely. That sounds good.

I want to add that I can’t wait to see her, but I don’t want to scare her away.

Me: Can you pick me up at 10:45?

 

Mia: We’ll be there and we’ll call as we get close.

I spend the rest of the morning in my office, fielding calls from the press about Jeremy’s chances of beating his own record today. But then my phone rings again and it’s Jeremy’s dad.

“Hi, James. How are you doing?”

He clears his throat. “We’re doing good.” I hear a boarding call in the background. “Look, the town surprised us with two tickets, and some friends are going to watch the kids and the farm. They put us on the early flight through Denver. We just landed here in San Francisco, but I’m not sure where to go.”

“Outstanding! Do you have luggage?”

“Yep.”

“And has it arrived yet?”

“Nope.”

A man of few words. I like that about James.

“Okay, as soon as you get your bags, I’m going to have you meet me here at my place. Does that work?”

“Sure.”

“All right, as soon as you have your bags, do you see the signs above the doors that go outside?”

“Yep.”

“Do you see where it says Taxi?”

“Uh…yep. I see it.”

“Great. Follow the signs and get in line at the taxi stand. When they ask you where you’re going, just tell them Coit Tower neighborhood. Once you’re moving, call me, and I’ll give them my address.”

“Are you sure that’s safe?”

“Yes. I’ve done it a few dozen times and never had a problem. Once you arrive, I’ll pay for the taxi so you don’t have to worry about that.”

“It’s a good thing my son pays you well,” James says.

“Yes, it is. Call me if you get turned around or need any help.”

We hang up and I look over at Kelly.

“Looks like we have some more excitement coming our way,” she says.

I rub my hands over my face. “I need to make a few calls.”

I quickly call Jim and let him know Jeremy’s parents have arrived as a surprise for today’s game.

“Well then, it seems you’ll be off the hook on staying with Jeremy tonight,” he says.

“Do you think Nate will mind if they stay in his