“Hey, everyone, guess what?” Eric called out, determined to beat Rose to the punch for once. “Lexi’s pregnant. Taylor’s going to be a father.”
Cheers went up, and the Team members who were still on site moved toward them, dusty and dirty and grinning ear to ear.
Taylor narrowed his eyes, glaring at Eric. “Gee, thanks.”
Megs gave Taylor a hug. “Apparently there’s something you’re good at besides climbing. Congratulations.”
Sasha high-fived him. “How far along is she? When’s the baby due?”
“She’s about eight weeks right now, so she’s due at the end of March.”
Ahearn shook Taylor’s hand. “We all expected this news when you were teenagers. I’m proud of you for making it this far, son.”
That made everyone laugh.
“Drinks at Knockers?” Eric asked. “Yours is on me, buddy.”
Taylor shook his head. “I need to get home. Lexi has been queasy more or less all day today. I don’t want to leave her alone with that.”
Megs nodded. “You’re a good man.”
As Eric drove Rescue One down the mountain and back to the Cave, he realized that his life had just changed. Taylor was going to be a dad. He had obligations to a pregnant wife now. He wouldn’t have as much time for climbing or hanging out with friends. Well, that was as it should be.
But damn…
What would Eric be doing in March when their baby came? Would he still be alone? Would he and Victoria still be living this long-distance life?
God, he hoped not.
He’d just pulled into the bay at the Cave when his cell phone buzzed. He slid it out of the pocket on his belt.
A text message from Vicki.
CAN’T SKYPE TONIGHT. BOSS HAD OTHER PLANS. SO SORRY. I MISS YOU AND LOVE YOU. SKYPE TOMORROW?
Well,fuck.
He’d been looking forward to this all week. What the hell did her boss want with her now? Why couldn’t Vic just say no?
Damn it.
He’d told Victoria he would wait for her, that he’d be here when she was ready, and he would keep that promise. But loving someone who lived far away was proving to be tougher than he’d ever imagined.
* * *
Vic stoodwith her back to the party looking out at the glittering city below, a glass of pinot noir in her hand, conversation mingling with the strains of jazz behind her. A few months ago, she would have found this view breathtaking, but tonight Chicago seemed cold and lonely.
She was supposed to be on Skype with Eric right now, not milling around making small talk with coworkers. It was her and Eric’s first shared night off in weeks. But Abigail had called and invited Vic to dinner at her penthouse to celebrate the success of the Merced campaign. It was an invitation Vic had no choice but to accept.
Eric had been disappointed. He hadn’t said it, but she’d been able to tell just the same. She couldn’t blame him. She would neverchooseto have dinner with her boss over spending time with Eric, but she wasn’t sure he believed that.
Ten minutes after she’d gotten that news, Lexi had called to tell Vic that she was pregnant. Vic was overjoyed for her and Austin, but their happy news had made her painfully aware of how very far away she was—and how alone.
Vic took a sip of wine, turned to glance around Abigail’s apartment. She’d always wondered what the penthouse of the Aqua looked like inside, and now she knew. Abigail had, of course, had her home professionally decorated. Each piece of furniture was intended to make a statement, as was the art on the walls. Taken together, it looked more like the lobby of an ultra-modern office building than someone’s living room. Vic would take the simple comfort of Eric’s cabin to this any day.
“There she is!” Abigail walked over to Vic, wearing a dark blue cocktail dress with long sleeves and three strands of pearls, two young women following her.
Vic pasted a smile on her face. “I was just enjoying the view. This is amazing! Thanks for the invitation. It’s a wonderful party.”