Mr. Perfect (Sinister in Savannah #2) - Aimee Nicole Walker Page 0,2
completed all the exams and screenings.”
“I did some research when you brought it up a few months ago. I’ve heard enough about the process over the years to know it’s expensive. I love you, Ree. You want a baby, and I want to see it happen.”
Felix didn’t make the offer lightly. His biggest fear was to make a mistake that would send him back to an impoverished existence. He had looked into the eyes of rapists and killers during interviews and hadn’t hesitated to ask tough questions. Felix had been threatened with violence when he got too close to someone who hadn’t wanted their misdeeds exposed. None of those things disrupted his sleep or caused him to break out into a cold sweat. Recalling the hollow sensation of an empty stomach was enough to trigger nightmares and insomnia for days, if not weeks. Felix knew what it was to covet something so much that it took over your life. He was able to help, and he would, if Ree let him.
“It sounds so shallow,” Ree said softly. “There are so many babies out there who need a good home. Stephen and I have so much love to offer them. We made a pact. We’ll give the fertility thing a try for a year, but we are going to adopt regardless of the outcome. If I don’t get pregnant, we’ll begin the process right away. If I do get pregnant, then we’ll adopt in a few years.”
“You and Stephen will make amazing parents. Let me help you.”
“No way. I appreciate your kindness. It means more to me than you’ll ever know.”
“Anything for my best girl. The offer still stands if you change your mind.”
They chatted for another fifteen minutes until Felix spotted the rookie journalist pulling up in front of the newspaper. The kid rubbed him the wrong way. No one was as perfect as this kid pretended to be—always dressed impeccably and never in a bad mood. Felix called bullshit. Minerva, the paper’s editor and his immediate boss, ate it up, though, so Felix was careful what he said about Jimmy Alsop.
“Felix, honey, you’re growling,” Ree said. “Are you thinking about Jude again?”
“That damn do-gooder rookie writer just pulled in. I see him checking his hair in the mirror, and I just want to stomp over there and mess it up.”
“So mature.”
Felix laughed. “I didn’t say I was proud of the urge. Isn’t it enough that I recognize it and don’t act on it?”
“It’s a good start.”
Felix watched the twentysomething man get out of his car with a bakery box and walk quickly to the front of the building. “I better get in there before Jimmy starts measuring my office for the replacement furniture he plans to install once I’m gone.”
“You think he’s gunning for your job, huh?”
“I know so.”
“It won’t do any good,” Ree said. “Minerva loves you.”
“Until someone shinier comes along,” Felix replied. “Today is not that day, and that’s all I can be sure of really.”
“True. I love you, Fee. I can’t wait to see you this weekend.” They’d made plans for Felix to drive to Atlanta to celebrate the big three-five.
“Love you, and I’m looking forward to seeing you too. Give Stephen my love.”
“Will do.”
Felix disconnected the call, turned off his car, and headed inside. What surprises will darling Jimmy have in store for me today?
It didn’t take him long to find out. He’d strung a colorful banner across the break room that read: Happy Birthday Felix!
Jimmy had his back to the door and didn’t know Felix had arrived. The rookie removed brightly decorated cupcakes from the pastry box and arranged them on a three-tiered display thingy. He completed his task and stood back to admire or assess his work. Felix wasn’t sure what he wanted to do more: eat one or shove it in Jimmy’s face. The rookie reporter adjusted the pale green cupcake at the top by moving it a few centimeters to the right. “Now, it’s perfect.”
“Except you missed the comma between birthday and my name.”
“Oh!” Jimmy gasped. He spun around, placing his hand over his heart. “You scared me.”
“Sorry about that.” Felix wasn’t. “What’s going on here?”
Jimmy laughed nervously, gesturing to the banner. “I figured it was pretty self-explanatory.”
“Okay. I can see what’s going on. Maybe the better question is: why are we having a celebration for my birthday? I’ve worked here for thirteen years, and I’ve never had a birthday party.”
“Maybe that’s due to your prickly attitude,” Jimmy countered.