Naughty Before Christmas (Decadent Delight Series #3) (9 page)

A frowned marred
Berlin’s lips. “Projected cutbacks and layoffs for next year.”

“Ye
s, I heard about the layoffs. Possible two of our part-time nurses.” With a sigh, she took the seat across from her. “Hopefully you can come up with a great financial plan to save their jobs.”

Berlin
cringed at the thought of being responsible for keeping food on someone’s table. “I’m working on it. I think if we cut back on a few programs that haven’t been as successful as we originally thought I think we might be able to save at least one of their jobs.” Last year Arianna, a program manager, had started a new program for teenage mothers to aid in caring for their babies. Some nights there were barely five mothers in attendance. She had later suggested substituting the class with a pamphlet and a twenty-four hour hotline for questions and further assistance.

“If anyone can figure it out
, you can,” Arianna said with a nod of assurance. “I saw your shoulda-been baby daddy leaving your office,” she commented and then raised a questioning eyebrow.

Berlin
couldn’t resist a grin. “Ha-ha. I needed him to sign off on some expenses,” she started and then her expression turned serious. “Cynthia’s still grieving over the loss of their child.”

Arianna shook her head sympathetically. “I couldn’t imagine what she’s going through.”

Berlin pressed a protective hand to her baby bump. “Neither could I.”

There was a long pregnant pause before Arianna decided to change the subject.
“Carlton’s parents won’t be making it for Christmas. His grandmother’s hip went out again, so his parents are going to drive to Memphis and spend the holidays at the nursing home instead.”

“Oh
no, that’s too bad. I know how much you were looking forward to cooking,” Berlin teased. Arianna and her mother-in-law rarely got along. At past holidays all she did was criticize her daughter-in-law’s cooking skills. Berlin had to agree, Arianna wasn’t the most skillful in the kitchen. The beauty often joked that Carlton only married her for her skills in the bedroom.

“I’m so relieved, but don’t tell my husband that. Anyway
, we decided to crash your holiday dinner instead, that’s if you have room for two more.”

“The more the merrier.” They were already planning to have their parents
, Eileen and her family, and a few of Reggie’s crew hinted at stopping through while they were out making their rounds.

“Wonderful! What would you like me to bring? You know I saw this recipe—”

Berlin cut her off. “Nothing. Just bring my godson so I can kiss all over him.”

“You got yourself a deal,
” Arianna said with a sigh of relief.

And the two ladies laughed.

*  *  *

“You what?” Trey
squawked.

Reggie
held out the ticket. “You heard me.”

Trey took the
tickets from his hand and compared the two numbers then shook his head. “Damn! I can’t believe it!”

“Neither can I.”
He had been in a daze for most of the morning.

His gaze darted to his.
“So when are you gonna claim your prize?”

“As soon as I get my crew started on the renovations in the morning, I am personally driving to Jefferson City to the lottery commission.”

Shaking his head, Trey replied, “I don’t blame you. I’d drive down there myself. Damn, bruh.”

Reggie
took the tickets from him and returned them to his wallet. Even with the proof right smack in front of him he still had trouble believing he had actually won. When the cashier at the convenience store had mentioned the ticket had been bought in Jefferson City, Reggie had forgotten he had driven there last week to bid on a guest house renovation for a doctor who used to work at the clinic. Before driving back to St. Louis, he had stopped by a 7-Eleven for a sandwich and a lottery ticket.

“What did Berlin say?”
he asked as he reached for the power drill.

Reggie straightened his shoulders.
“I haven’t told her yet.”

Trey’s gaze snapped to his.
“You haven’t told her. Why not?”

“Because I want to surprise her.”

Chuckling, Trey walked back over to the stairs and replied, “And how long do you think you can keep it a secret?”

He slipped his hands in the pocket of his jacket and drew a deep breath.
“I was hoping at least until Christmas.”

“So you’re
planning to surprise her for Christmas?” Trey gave a low whistle then chuckled. “That’s one helluva surprise.”

“I’m
also gonna give her this house for Christmas.”

His brow rose.
“No shit?”

Reggie
nodded. “Berlin loves this house, so instead of flipping it, I wanna give her her dream home.”

“Damn
, bruh. That’s one helluva idea.”

“But it’s go
nna take all of us to make this house ready by Christmas.” He paused and paced the room, taking in the soiled carpeting that needed to be replaced with hardwood. Trey had been working on the iron railing for the staircase all morning and was closed to completion but there was still plenty of work to be done. “She was out here yesterday so I know everything she wants to see happen to this house and I plan to give it to her.”

“Yo, it’s your money.
As long as you’re lining my pockets before Christmas, it’s all good!” Trey rubbed his palms together.

“No doubt
. Just as long as y’all clowns make this dream possible.”

Grinning, Trey
strolled over and gave him a fist bump. “Dawg, you know we got your back.”

“I can’t believe how cute these baby clothes are!”

Berlin
grinned over at the pink frilly dress Arianna was holding up. “I know, right. I don’t think clothes were this cute when my niece Gabrielle was born.”

“
You’re making me wanna have a little girl,” Arianna said with a playful pout.

“
Yeah, right. I remember you saying you were never going through eighteen hours of labor again.”

She shook her head.
“I don’t remember that.”

“
I can show you the video,” Berlin teased.

The two shared a laugh as they moved over to another rack of little
outfits. A bell over the door chimed as customers stepped in and out
Precious Moments.
The walls were decorated in garland and candy cane, poinsettias were all around the showroom floor, while the strain sounds of “Silent Night” drifted around the specialty baby store.

“
Oh, you have to buy this sweater!” Arianna screeched.

Berlin gazed over at an adorable yellow
cashmere sweater thoughtfully then frowned. “I don’t know if it’s a girl, and Reggie would kill me if I put his son in that.”

There was no mistaking her disappointment.
“I guess you’re right.”

“
Stay focused, Arianna. I’m depending on you. Otherwise, I’m going to fall off the wagon and buy a bunch of ridiculous stuff. And Lord knows we can’t afford to do that until that house is sold.”

“
Okay,” Arianna said, dragging her shoulders back and taking a deep breath. “Alright, I’m back in control.”

“
Good. We’re here to pick out furniture for the nursery,” she reminded.

“Okay, then we need to move over there.”
Arianna steered her away from the clothes and over to the display window where furniture had been set up like a baby’s room. Outside the window, the street was decked out for Christmas. Garland hung from lampposts. Storefront windows had been wrapped with twinkling lights, and wreaths hung from doors.

“
Ooh, I like this one!”

She
looked over at Arianna and frowned. “Too much blue. I want something that would work for either a boy or a girl.”

“
Then how about this one?”

It was tropical style
d, featuring playful monkeys frolicking in colorful palm trees. With shades of chocolate, blue, yellow, green and rust, the color palette was both vibrant and soothing.

“
I even like the rich dark furnishings.” Berlin was running her fingers across the railing, admiring the fine craftsmanship when something outside the display window caught her attention. She looked up and watched while her heart pounded at her throat.

“
What are you looking at?” Arianna asked before she followed the direction of Berlin’s eyes. “Who’s that woman?”

She swallowed tightly.
“No, the question you should be asking is what the hell is she doing with my husband.” Berlin watched Reggie climb out of his Escalade onto the snowy street and then walk around to the other side to help a woman out on the passenger side.

She was not only tall but
had long jean-clad legs and stiletto boots. She was wearing a red pea coat and a black turtleneck that emphasized a long elegant neck. Watching her, Berlin felt fat and unattractive. She was beautiful with long black hair pushed underneath a black fedora.

Arianna
mumbled, “She’s pretty.”

Rolling her eyes,
Berlin breathed, “Thanks.” She watched as her husband cupped the woman’s elbow, helping her along the sideway. “I hope she slips and bumps her head,” she whispered under her breath.

“
So do I,” Arianna added as she gave her hand a sympathetic squeeze. Berlin was angry for feeling jealous before she realized she had every right to feel that way. Reggie was
her
damn husband.

She couldn’t move as she watched
Reggie open the door of
El Patron,
an authentic Mexican restaurant. Berlin noticed the way the woman was smiling and flirting up at him, and Reggie was grinning and sucking it up.

Quickly, she step
ped away from Arianna, fumbled inside her purse and retrieved her phone.

“
What are you doing?” Arianna asked suspiciously.

“
What do you think I’m doing? I’m calling him,” she spat.

“
Calling? You need to go over there and find out what’s going on!”

No, she wasn’t for scenes and who’s to say he wasn’t with a client. If she stormed into the restaurant it could be bad for
business.

“
I need to see if he’s meeting with a client.” She hit the speed dial and paced around the floor of the store while she waited for Reggie to answer. The call went to voicemail. “Damn,” she muttered under her breath while Arianna gave her a sympathetic look.

“
Don’t be so quick to jump to conclusions,” she said soothingly.

Rolling her eyes, Berlin
dialed his number again and by the time it had rung three times, she spotted Reggie stepping outside the restaurant to answer.

“
Boo?” he began. “You okay?”

I will be after you tell me what you’re doing with that chick.

“Yes, I’m fine. I’m just spending my lunch hour shopping with Arianna.”

“
What are you buying now?” he said, not knowing she was glaring across the street at the grin on his face.

“
I’m shopping for a crib.”

“
I thought we were going to do that together this weekend?”

“
You’ll be busy working on the house.” She suddenly decided to test him. “Why don’t you drive over to the store and look at the one I found?”

“
I can’t,” he replied without hesitation.

“
Why not?”

There was a slight pause.
“Because I’m working on a bid for a new project.”

Her brow rose.
“What kinda project?”

“
A… uh… kitchen renovation.”

“
Are you there now?” she asked, her breath practically fogging up the glass.

“
Yep, and my client’s waiting for me. Look, I’ll call you back later.”

She breathed,
“Okay.”

“
I love you,” he said then ended the call before she had a chance to respond.

Frowning
, Berlin glared at the restaurant until he disappeared inside.

“
What did he say?”

Swallowing against the lump in her throat
, Berlin replied, “Lies. Nothing but lies.”

“
Now don’t jump to conclusions,” Arianna put in softly, but firmly.

“
What else could he be doing?” she whispered and dropped her phone back into her purse.

“
And what is it you
think
he is doing?”