Kylie

I shuffled inside Kathie's expansive hospital room. If it were a regular room, I would be walking in a crowd squeezed inside like sardines. First off, the Parkinsons is a large crowd. And that's just the Parkinsons. Then there's Kathie's parents, David and Elizabeth Lewis. Chassie George Forester – her younger sister who came with her husband, Nathaniel Forester. Their children were nowhere in sight so my best bet is they're at home with their nanny.

Unlike the last time I stepped into a hospital room where everyone was practically passing a newborn Miles around, the room was quiet. Kathie is fine. The triplets too – a baby girl and two baby boys. They're in ICU, of course. Pretty standard for preemies.

Audrey waves me over and I almost tiptoed my way in in fear of disrupting the silence. She was sitting next to Kathie's mother, Elizabeth whose eyes – offspring of relief and joy – was on Kathie sleeping on her husband's arm. Cade shifted on the bed, making sure the movement doesn't stir her from sleep.

Kathie looks tired. No surprise there. She just pushed three human beings out of her womb, and that is beyond exhausting. "Emma's in the lobby," I whispered.

Audrey nodded, securing an arm around a dozing Miles before coming out of the room with me. Her fiancé followed suit. Like he couldn't stand not being close to her and their baby. He offers to take Miles but Audrey shakes her head.

Emma smiles as she sees us approaching. She slides the strap of her enormous bag higher to her shoulder and took the baby to her arms. "We'll go ahead."

Audrey nods, kissing her son's head. "Clear my afternoon, Kylie."

"Yes, of course." I beamed.

Emma left, Jessica Keith coming in the entrance of the hospital. Her fiery red hair astray atop her head and... dripping wet. She was dressed in what looked like a black grieving dress. She was panting by the time she made it to the reception desk.

"What the hell is going on here?" Audrey made a gesture to Jessica's entirety.

She sighed. "Do you have a hair dryer?"

"Sure. I carry around hair dryer all day." My boss rolled her eyes.

Jessica turned to Vren. "I know this is nuts, but do you happen to have a hair dryer?"

"Uh, no. What happened exactly? It's not like it's raining outside." He tried to look sympathetic, although amused is what I'm going to describe it.

"I woke up to a flooding apartment. I thought I was in Titanic, but then I have no Leo. So there I was, bathing in dirty pipe water without Jack. It wasn't that lonely though. I left my equipment at the studio so, that's one good thing. As a photographer I would die saving my cameras."

Audrey's nose scrunched up. "So, you're wet from dirty pipe water? Where did you get that awful dress?"

"No. I received your text about Kathie and stopped by a gas station and took a shower. And this dress is courtesy of my neighbor. She said she wore it during her husband's funeral. Isn't she a good neighbor?" She bats her eyelashes.

"I can tell." Vren chuckles.

Jessica pulled the hem of her dress out to the side like she was doing a curtsy. Her green eyes lit up when they darted to me. "Kylie."

"Hi."

She pinches my cheek. "You're a sight for sore eyes."

"Thanks, I guess." I winced in pain. "Do you need me to grab you a coffee? You look like you need some caffeine."

Jessica ushered me into a hug. "Stop being a sweetheart and don't do that."

"Jess, you're crushing her." Audrey clutches my elbow and tug me to her side. "And you still haven't scrubbed yourself clean from that dirty pipe water."

She throw her hands in the air. "Can you blame me? Kylie is adorable."

I almost cringe, having to hear the same hackneyed compliment I get ever since I could remember. My petite size has contributed to it more than I could say. Not that I'm complaining, but I just make it work. "Kathie and the triplets are fine," I muttered, just to throw the compliment off the table.

Her eyes glinted. "Really? I want to see them."

"Kathie is in her room. Triplets are in ICU," Vren answered and ushered both women to the corridor.

Audrey had her hand on my wrist, urging me to come with but I don't think I can sit motionlessly inside Kathie's room while everyone waits for her to wake up. "There's a coffee shop up the street. You want me to grab you coffee?"

Her hand loosened. "Okay."

I nodded and headed to the exit. Halfway out the establishment, someone called my name. I didn't so much as glance back, thinking it might just be Christian. When he caught up to me, his hand went around my arm to stop me. "You didn't hear me calling your name?"

"Oh. It's you." I gaped.

Charming blue eyes surrounded by thick lashes gazed down at me. A smile formed on his mouth, turning my knees to jelly. "Yes. You remember me, right?"

I blink.

One dimple poke his cheek. "Matthew? Matthew Parkinson?" He quipped.

A giggle blubbered from my throat. "I know who you are. I just don't expect to see you here."

"I have to be here. I think I need to be because my niece and nephews were being born. What sort of uncle am I if won't be here, right?"

"A busy uncle."

He chuckles, his smile shining brighter than anything else.

"Um, I'm just grabbing Audrey her coffee." I pointed at the coffee shop across the street.

Matthew nods. "Can I come with? I could use some coffee right now."

We went to the shop, my insides squirming when he held the door of the café open for me. My cheeks burn and I duck my head to hide the color. Matthew follows a step behind. When we reached the counter, he motioned for me to go first. I smiled shyly. "Two large black coffees, please."

"You drink your coffee black?" He raises an eyebrow, slightly intrigued.

"Audrey does. I just order the same thing in case I spill her drink," I murmured, looking down at my finger nail. "And I wasn't supposed to tell anyone that."

He threw his head back and laughed.

There was something contagious about it that I hear myself laughing too. "Seriously, though, you shouldn't tell anyone that."

"Well, your secret's safe with me, Kylie." His gaze trailed on my scrunchie that I matched with my blue flower-printed skirt. "What would you order for yourself?"

I purse my lips with thought. "Let me think."

"Something sweet?"

"Definitely. Cinnamon roll Frappuccino." I grinned.

He nods, a pleased smile curving his perfect mouth.

I step aside so he could order, wondering how on earth is this guy not taken. Sure, he's busy with work and stuff but what sort of woman can ignore a man like him?

"Extra-large Cinnamon roll Frappuccino," Matthew told the man behind the counter.

My jaw dropped an inch. Matthew paid for both our drinks, including Audrey's. I, however, am even more surprise at his choice. I didn't know someone like him could like all that sugar. Later on, when the barista sets our drinks on the counter, it made sense.

He handed me the cinnamon roll Frappuccino and took both black coffees. "Enjoy your drink. You don't have to worry about spilling Audrey's." He winks adorably. He still wore that smile – that captivating smile.

"Thank you."

"How long have you been working for Audrey?"

I smiled. "About four years."

"You must love your job." He smiles back.

I shrug. "It has its perks. Remember their cabin? Audrey is offering me a one-week vacation to make use of it," I rambled excitedly.

"Oh. Really?"

I scrunched my nose. "I'm thinking next week."

He nods, a hand going to his nape. "Kylie, I hope you don't mind sharing the cabin with me. I am staying there for a couple of weeks."

Butterflies swamped my belly. "You are?"

"Yeah. Well, it's a good thing that it's a huge cabin, right?" He chuckles, a dimple poking his cheek.

How is he still single?

"Well, well, well." A voice cuts through right after the bell chimed. Sure enough, someone entered the café. That one person who have to ruin the moment with his trademark smirk.

Christian stands by the door, an amused look on his smug face. 

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