Stocky & Sumptuous

Chapter 1-2

Monday morning I got to work before Xander and Drew, like normal. I loved working with both of them and wished I had a guy who looked at me the way they looked at their wives. I didn’t know Mandy as well as Carrie, but they were both hilarious and so insanely kind. They were also constantly threatening to set me up.

I turned on the coffee and checked my email. A quick review of the schedule showed a new client was coming in to meet with Drew. Other than that, the day looked like it was going to be pretty ordinary.

I sent out updates to all the clients we had active projects with as Drew and Xander filtered in. Before lunch, Xander was gone to work on one of his projects and Drew was getting ready for his meeting. I stopped in his office to see if he wanted lunch.

“I’m going to run out to Sandy’s Wiches. Want anything?”

Drew looked up at me and smiled. His brown eyes were kind, but tired. “That would be great. Thanks. A turkey club or something like that.”

“Sure. You look tired. Is Joel sick?”

Drew shook his head and grinned. “Teething. Poor Carrie is barely getting any sleep so I’m getting up with him a few times a night.”

I gave Drew a sympathetic look. I knew times were tough when babies didn’t sleep, but I’d give anything to know it first hand. “It’s nice that you help her out.”

Drew nodded, his entire face softening. “It’s what you do. My dad was never around, I’ve never even met him, but my mom was great. The best relationships are partnerships. Carrie doesn’t do well without a lot of sleep, even though she adores Joel.”

“Hard not to. He’s a pretty great kid.”

Drew smiled. “He is. Carrie already wants another one.”

The pang of jealousy shocked me, but it wasn’t fair. Carrie and Drew were amazing parents and I wanted them to have as many kids as they wanted. I just wanted a kid or two also. A few more friends for Drew and Carrie’s kids to play with.

“She told me she always wanted a big family.”

“We both do. It’s just that when Joel isn’t sleeping for some reason I have trouble imagining being able to survive two kids going through the same thing.”

I shrugged. “By the time she has a second one, Joel will be much older. My sister is two years older than me and it’s nice to be so close in age.”

“That’s what Carrie thinks, too. It’s hard for me to see her in any kind of pain or so exhausted.”

“She’s strong.”

“That she is.”

I checked the time and saw it was getting close to when his new client would be arriving. “Let me run out. I’ll be back before your client leaves so you can eat before you have to run out for the afternoon.”

“Thanks. I really appreciate it.” He reached for his wallet but I waved him off.

“I got it.”

He nodded. “Next time.”

I grabbed my purse from my desk and headed out. I jumped in my cherry red Subaru WRX and pulled out as a blue Mercedes SUV pulled in. It was boxy, unfamiliar, but definitely sexy.

I had a thing for hot cars.

In thirty minutes, I was back with sandwiches. I heard voices so I went to my desk for lunch knowing Drew was likely going to eat on his way to his work site for the afternoon.

I went through the emails I’d neglected that morning as I ate my sandwich. When I heard Drew and his new client approaching, I wrapped up the other half of my beef on weck and tucked it to the side. I swished water through my mouth, hoping I didn’t have anything in my teeth as Drew said, “I’d like to introduce you to Vicki Prescott, our business manager.”

I looked up with a grin and had to clench my jaw to keep it from hitting the desk. It had to be the hormones. I’d been so focused on finding a guy and getting pregnant that I was losing it. Yes, the man walking next to Drew was gorgeous with his light brown hair, a little on the long side, dark blue eyes that scanned my figure when I stood, and a three piece suit showcasing broad shoulders and a wide chest tapering to a lean waist.

He was definitely the sexiest man I’d ever seen. But he was not my type, in the slightest. I’d been through more than a few workaholics, which was why I gave up men in the first place. The desire to have a kid outweighed the desire to protect myself, but I wasn’t completely insane.

Workaholics were off the table.

I extended my hand, struggling for composure. “Nice to meet you.”

“You, too. I’m Hunter Campbell. Drew here is going to be remodeling my new space for me.”

I smiled. “You definitely came to the best.”

His blue eyes darkened and scanned my body again. “I definitely did.”

The flirtatious tone sent a shiver down my spine. One that settled between my thighs and threatened the strength of my knees.

“I’m sure Drew will make your space perfect.”

“Will you be working with him?”

I shook my head. “No, I don’t get involved with many of the projects. I will send out updates and keep you informed of any changes or concerns, but you’ll be dealing primarily with Drew.”

“Well, that’s a shame,” Hunter said with a wink.

Jeez, he was relentless.

“Um, well, anyway, it was nice to meet you, Mr. Campbell.”

I extended my hand again and he wrapped it up in both of his, those damn eyes lit with a mixture of amusement and desire. Neither of which I needed, especially with my boss watching us.

“The pleasure truly was mine, Vicki. And please, call me Hunter.”

I nodded and watched as Hunter shook Drew’s hand then left. I sunk into my seat and sighed. Then realized Drew was still standing there.

“So that’s the kind of guy you like?”

I shook my head. “No. Definitely not.”

Drew raised an eyebrow in silent challenge.

“Seriously,” I assured him with a laugh. “I’m not into men like him. He’s attractive, but he’s not my type. You don’t have to worry.”

Drew snagged his sandwich off my desk and grinned. “Uh huh. I’d believe that if you weren’t making doe eyes at him.”

“I was not making doe eyes at him.”

“Yeah, okay, Vicki.”

He whistled as he walked out the door, leaving me alone to argue that I did not, under any circumstances, like Hunter Campbell.