Free To the Max by Elle Aycart Page A

everything?”
    She sighed. “Very busy in the office. I got a new client. Humongously deep pockets. Ever heard of Franke Enterprises?”
    “The telecommunication empire?”
    “That one. Complicated accounting. I’m auditing several of their companies. Aside from that, same old, same old. Work, book club, gym classes.”
    “How are your CC meetings going?”
    “My what?”
    “Clits and Chicks meetings. The romance e-book club?” he asked while Annie chuckled. “Has Christy sent anyone else to the hospital?”
    “Not that I know of. Then again, I’m in the more resilient group.”
    “So unfair. I’m still offended I’m not allowed to join it.”
    “No, you are not. We’re just a bunch of ladies reading smut,” she joked. “The last book was about a Highlander. You would have been bored to death.”
    “Such a gender injustice,” he continued, ignoring her.
    “Besides, we end up talking about everything except books.”
    “You talk sex, right?”
    “Yes,” she admitted grudgingly.
    “A total injustice.” She giggled. He didn’t know why, but he got a huge kick out of making her laugh. “What else is new?”
    “I’m thinking about occupying your dining table with a puzzle. I love doing puzzles. It relaxes me.”
    “Occupy away.” As long as she finished it before he made it back and didn’t require his help, he was good.
    “Okay. I might do that.” Then, after a long pause, she said, “I’ve been thinking about contacting the father.”
    She didn’t have to explain what she was talking about. “And?”
    He could almost see her shrugging. “I don’t know. Once it’s out there, he has rights, you know what I mean?”
    “It’s scary,” he stated.
    She sighed. “Yes, it is.”
    “You don’t want him in your life?” he asked cautiously.
    “I don’t think so, but we’re not talking about my life only here.”
    True. “I don’t know what to tell you, Ace. I grew up without a mother, so I think fathers are important to kids. Then again, there are fathers and there are fathers. I believe it’s your call who you involve in your kid’s life. That said, I would be totally pissed if I had a kid somewhere and I wasn’t told.”
    “I’m sure, but you are you,” she murmured. Then she did one-eighty and changed the subject. “How are things going on your end, Conan?”
    She didn’t seem to want to talk more about the subject, and he wouldn’t be the one forcing her. “Viking, Ace. I’m a Viking.”
    “That’s right. Breaking many hearts down there?”
    “Nope, too busy pillaging.”
    She chuckled softly. “That’s what I’m afraid of. When are you headed for Canada?”
    They chatted for a long while—about the film, about her work, about everything and anything—until the storm raging outside relented and she was so drowsy he knew she was half-gone.
    “Ace?”
    “Mmmm?”
    “I’m hanging up now.”
    Her voice was sweet and low. “Okay. Good night, Boob Enhancer.”
    He smiled. “Good night, Pregnant Lady.”
    * * * *
    “So, did you speak with Luigi already?” Christy asked as Annie pushed the shopping cart in Home Depot.
    “No. Not yet. I put a request in.”
    Holly turned to her. “A what? Who is he, the king of the universe?”
    “I can’t spring the whole thing on him by e-mail, can I? I had a meeting with a lady at StudsRus.com and tried my best to explain the situation.”
    “And you told her…”
    “That I stiffed one of their gigolos and wanted the opportunity to personally apologize.”
    Christy and Holly gaped. “Really?”
    Annie rolled her eyes so hard she could see yesterday. “Of course not. I did what normal people do when they contact an escort service: I asked for the catalog, found him, and put in a request to meet.” She’d left him a short note, explaining she was the girl from the gala and telling him she had something important to discuss with him. Now it was all out of her hands. If he never contacted her, there was nothing she could