“It won’t. We’re back to being strictly platonic. I swear. There isn’t even a glimmer of flirtation between us.”
“That’s a little disappointing,” Miranda said.
“It is?” Tara asked.
“Yes. I mean, come on. Sterling is going to be fine, whether or not two of its employees become romantically involved. The world isn’t going to suddenly stop needing new office buildings or corporate campuses.” Miranda sat back in her seat. “But I am worried about my brother and what kind of life he’s living right now. He’s lonely. I know he is. And he’s a little lost, to be honest. I’d love it if he found a partner who could help steer him in the right direction. Someone who could make him happy.”
“Are you attempting to play matchmaker here, Miranda?” Tara asked.
“I guess I am. Astrid is great and I love my brother, so I fail to see how that could be a bad thing.”
Astrid felt stuck. She loved having Miranda’s endorsement and she believed that Miranda was right about Clay. He did need love in his life. But this was also a lot of pressure to put on Astrid. She couldn’t fix Clay. He had to do it himself. “I don’t know if he believes that I could, in fact, make him happy. And to be honest, I’m not sure of my ability to do that, either. We don’t know each other that well, and I don’t know how to change that. We agreed to keep things strictly professional at work, and from the company’s standpoint, that’s the best course. I can’t see him agreeing to see me socially, and I’m not about to ask, just so I can be rejected.”
“Then let’s make an opportunity. Surely we can think of something between the three of us?”
“A party to celebrate his award?” Tara offered. “We could invite the press. Turn it into some publicity for Sterling.”
“I really don’t think he would go for that,” Astrid said. “He hates parties.”
“I agree,” Miranda echoed Astrid’s assertion. “But I do have another idea.”
“Let’s hear it,” Tara said.
“I found out the baby’s gender this week. Well, I didn’t find out. The doctor wrote it down and it’s in a sealed envelope. Everyone’s doing those gender reveal parties now, and with Johnathon gone, I don’t want to find out on my own. I’d rather have people I care about with me.”
“That sounds like fun,” Astrid said. “I’d love to host.” With so little social life, it would give her something to do. Plus, she wanted to let Clay into her world, and show him who she was.
“I read in a magazine about a couple who gave their results to a baker who filled cupcakes with blue or pink frosting. The guests all took a bite at the same time to find out the gender,” Miranda said.
“If baked goods are involved, you will have no problem convincing Clay to be here,” Astrid said.
Miranda laughed. “That is so true.”
“I love the whole idea,” Tara added. “I’m sure Grant would love it, too.”
“I do think we should at least toast to Clay’s award,” Astrid said. “He doesn’t like to be in the spotlight, but he deserves it.”
“So much. Let’s make it an evening event, too. It’s more romantic.” Miranda punctuated her suggestion with a wink.
Astrid grinned, looking at Tara and Miranda, thankful for this unlikely sisterhood she’d found. “So are we doing this?”
“Yes. I think so. If you plan the whole thing, I’ll be sure to get my brother here.”
Ten
A small, intimate gathering should not be stressful. And yet, Astrid was a ball of nerves. It went beyond the fact that it had been a crazy busy week at work and she’d spent too little time arranging the small details of this party.
Honestly, this whole idea was a bit absurd, that she and Clay would somehow grow closer over the course of the next few hours. But it seemed as though it was worth trying, and she had wanted to celebrate the baby on the way in some public way for a while now. She simply didn’t know how to bring up the topic. She and Miranda were still forging their bond.
Astrid read through the instructions her private chef had left for the food to be served. Just a few hot appetizers, along with a cheese board and veggies. The cupcakes, with the mystery filling, were already on site, sitting on the kitchen counter. Really, everything was set, and she only needed to shower, get dressed and take a deep breath.
The bell for her apartment door rang, but it was a little less than two hours until guests were to arrive. There was only one other apartment up on the top floor of her building, so it was rare to get unannounced visitors, but she had left her guest list with the doorman already. Perhaps it was Tara or Miranda stopping by to say hello. She opened the door, and there before her was Clay, looking good enough to eat in black trousers and a crisp gray shirt, with a bouquet of pink tulips in his hand. Astrid practically swooned.
He surveyed her from head to toe, his forehead wrinkling with confusion, probably because she was in jeans and a light sweater at the moment. “Am I early?”
“Yes, actually. By nearly two hours.”
“Miranda told me it started at five.”
So that was what this was—a ploy by Miranda to get them together. Astrid approved. And also felt the need to cover for her. “We talked about five at one point, but I moved it to seven. I’m so sorry she didn’t tell you.”
“Should I come back?”
Astrid shook her head and grasped his arm. “Don’t be silly. You can keep me company.”
“Oh. Okay.” Clay walked inside and Astrid closed the door behind him. He was quick to thrust the flowers at her. “Here. These are for you. I thought about a bottle of wine, but the truth is that I’m really a bourbon guy, and that seemed like an odd hostess gift.”
Astrid smiled. They
