“Thank you. I’ll remember that.”
“Okay, enough about warning Alicia about Lee,” Dawn chimed in. “We all know how controlling he can be, but we all love him anyway. Now, get some food on those empty plates before my husband goes for seconds. You know how much he loves Cherise’s cooking.”
Laughing, Alicia watched as Brad grabbed a bowl of mashed potatoes, placed some of his plate and passed it on to her. For the next couple of minutes they filled their plates with beef, green beans, macaroni and cheese, and bread.
“How are the interviews coming along?” Traci asked. “I’m excited about my turn coming up tomorrow. I have so much to tell about Zack.”
“Don’t you dare tell all of our secrets,” Zack joked, smiling at his wife.
She loved how all of the couples teased and flirted around with each other. She longed one day to be able to do that with Brad. She saw herself there, but just not quite yet.
“Alicia was going to interview me first, but I insulted her and she left,” Lee stated making everyone at the table look at him. “I apologize for being so harsh. I should’ve kept my opinions to myself. I hope you can schedule another time to interview me and Cherise.”
Shock was the only word that Alicia could use to describe how she felt about Lee’s apology. She wasn’t expecting it. It was almost too good to be true.
“Apology accepted,” she said because she didn’t know what else to do. “How about I call you after I’m finished with Traci’s interview tomorrow? If you’re free I can come by your office?”
“I’ll be in meetings until at least one o’clock, but I’ll be free afterwards,” Lee told her.
She could tell that he was trying his best to be cordial and if she guessed right it seemed that Cherise had a long talk with her husband. Lee had taken a 180 degree turn about her and that could be the only reason why.
“Okay, I’ll be at your office at two o’clock,” Alicia said.
Alicia glanced down as Brad grabbed her hand on the table then looked back up at him. He winked at her and she couldn’t help but to smile back. Maybe this dinner wouldn’t turn out as bad as she thought it would. She was still a little nervous of Lee and wasn’t quite sure what to think about his apology, but if he was willing to give an olive branch than she would take it for Brad.
“I guess now is a good as time as any to tell everyone our secret,” Brad said loud enough for everyone to hear.
Secret…what secret was Brad talking about? She didn’t have a clue.
“What are you talking about?” Zack asked, staring at them.
“Are you pregnant?” Lee tossed out. “Is that why you brought Alicia to dinner, so you could break the news in front of everyone?”
“No, I’m not pregnant,” Alicia answered quickly. Shit! Lee would be the one who asked that question.
“Alicia and I are now officially a couple,” Brad said, smiling at her. “It took her long enough to let me in. I’m hoping things will only get better from here.”
Looking at Brad, Alicia knew that she would always remember this moment because this was when she first started falling in love with Brad Drace. He was willing to announce to his entire family that they were a couple when she wasn’t even sure about it herself. How could a woman not fall in love with a man like that?
“What do you think about Brad bringing Alicia to dinner tonight?” Zack asked Traci as he walked around their bedroom and got ready for bed. “I was very surprised to see her, but I didn’t say anything because I could see how pleased Brad was to have her there.”
“I thought it was about time. I love Brad to death and I want to see him with a wife and children. I hope Alicia realizes what a wonderful guy she has in your brother.”
Taking off his shirt, Zack tossed it into the hamper near the bedroom door for the cleaners pick up tomorrow. “You think Alicia is the woman for my baby brother?” Zack asked.
“Sweetheart, it doesn’t matter what either one of us thinks, but yes I do think Alicia is the one for Brad. Brad is a protector and Alicia looks like she needs taking care of for some odd reason.”
“I don’t care what Alicia needs. I’m concerned about my brother.”
“Zack, you have to realize that Brad isn’t a little boy anymore. He’s an adult and doesn’t need you holding his hand. I honestly believe that Alicia has feelings for him. Did you see how she looked at him after his announcement? Without a doubt, that was the look of a woman falling hard for a man.”
Zack finished getting undressed and pulled a pair of pajamas out of the top drawer of the dresser. He yanked them on and then joined Traci on the bed.
“Lee wouldn’t agree with you,” Zack said as he tugged Traci against his bare chest.
“Honey, I love Lee but he needs to stay out of it. Would you have dumped me if he had told you too? We were having a lot of problems before we finally made up and got married.”
“Hell…no! I wouldn’t have given you up for anything in the world.” Zack told her.
“Brad feels the same way. He’s in love with Alicia and I truly believe they have a future together.”
Flipping them over, Zack pressed her back against the bed. “You know what? I’m tired of talking about Brad and Alicia. I’d rather be doing something else a whole lot more fun,” Zack whispered by his wife’s mouth.
“Like what?”
“Working on baby number two. Carter is almost three years old, so it will be a perfect time for us to start getting busy on a daughter How about it Mrs. Drace?”
Traci grinned at her husband as she wrapped her arms around his neck. “I think that I might be persuaded to make a new addition to our family,” she answered right before her sexy husband kissed her.
Chapter Eighteen
“I really should be mad at you,” Alicia scolded, walking into her house with Brad behind her. She was still a little taken back by how well everything turned out at dinner tonight.
“You should but you aren’t, “Brad said, closing the front door and then locking it behind them. “I think tonight turned out pretty damn good with Lee. He actually apologized for his behavior towards you and even acted like he might try to give you a chance. Plus, Tiffany called and told you that you didn’t have to come in after all of the late night news. How can your night be any better?”
“I know and I’m thrilled about it,” Alicia admitted. “I also agree that Lee’s gesture did take me back a little. I’m not sure how long it will last, so I’ll take it while I can get it.”
Brad looked at her intently, then strode across the room until he was standing right in front of her. “Do you know how gorgeous you look tonight in this pink dress? I had the hardest time participating at dinner because all I was thinking about was what you were wearing underneath.”
Alicia shivered at Brad’s confession. How could he do that? Talk about something not that important one minute and then in the next second be turning her on with his words. Well, she could play this game too.
“How about I show you?”
His dark blue eyes flashed a gentle but firm warning before Brad’s hand reached out wrapping around her upper arms. “Alicia, don’t play with me. I’m trying to be a gentleman and not rush into dragging you off to bed, but if you keep offering me gifts like you just did, I won’t be responsible for my actions.”
Alicia paused wondering if she was ready to make love with Brad and the answer was yes! She had been thinking about it ever since he left her alone in the living room. She was tired of unfulfilled fantasies. She was slowly going crazy to have the real thing…Brad.