Looking around the room, hand in his pocket, a drink in the other. He's surprised by the number of people who are attending Kelsey's baby shower. Not shocked that she knows that many people since she never shuts up. The table to the right of the room littered with gifts. He walks back over to where he left Kelsey but stops in his tracks once he sees her talking with Malik. Malik touching her arm and her belly several times, an uneasy feeling settling in Chris's stomach.
"Chris you remember Malik," Kelsey says, getting his attention back. Malik loses his smile and gets a bit serious as he sticks his hand out to shake.
"Yeah uh good to see you again," firmly shaking his hand.
"Yeah, same."
"Babe, Malik put this whole thing together for us, and he bought Mason his stroller and changing table, isn't that nice?" Kelsey smiles.
"Uh yeah, that's nice. Thank you," Chris says not liking this whole situation. "Um, babe can I talk to you for a minute?"
"Sure," Kelsey sighs. "What Chris?" Kelsey asks walking away with him.
"You don't find that odd?"
"What?" Kelsey asks confused. "Malik? No babe I don't why? He is just nice."
"I have no idea it just doesn't settle well with me."
"What do you want me to do, give everything back to him?"
"I was just saying that it was weird Kelsey that's it."
"Enjoying yourself son?" Chris's dad walks up. Kelsey walks away.
"Yeah, I guess. I don't trust him," Chris nods over to Malik. "Can you get me another?" he asks his dad.
"Better slow down on the drinking man," Malik jokes. "Enjoying the party?"
"Yeah, you?"
"Yeah, it's going pretty well. You're a lucky guy having Kelsey. She's great."
"Uh huh thank you."
Malik walks away as Chris rolls his eyes and walks over to a quiet spot to sit down—thinking about calling Kendall.
"I need to get out of this place," Chris texts Kendall.
His phone rings, Kendall.
"Hey," Chris answers the call.
"Hey baby daddy not as fun as you thought it would be," she teases.
"I just don't like the atmosphere," Chris says walking outside. "The new marketing manager is a creep. He just gives me a bad vibe."
"Hun, you're usually good with stuff like that. If you don't like him, then something is probably up."
"Yeah."
"Well my date stood me up, and I have dinner for two waiting to be eaten if you want to bail out," Kendall suggests.
"Alex bailed?"
"Yeah, he's been gone for the week for work, and his trip has been extended. I was going to surprise him with dinner."
"Ah, gotcha," looking back at the door. "Well let me see what's going on here, and I'll text you."
"Hopefully you'll be able to escape, make up something."
"I'll text you," Chris smiles hanging up. He walks into the building once more and finds Kelsey sitting at a table with her parents and Malik.
"Where were you?! You missed opening some of the gifts!"
"Sorry, a client called. I had to take it."
"You couldn't leave your phone at the office? Nevermind, it's fine, you missed out on a lot of nice gifts."
"I don't doubt that. Listen um there's an emergency at the office, and I need to leave," Chris says softly.
"Chris, how am I supposed to get everything home? It's almost night time anyways. What could be wrong?" Kelsey asks, annoyed.
"Kels it's fine, I'll help bring things back to your place. I'm sure Chris wouldn't leave unless he had to," Malik interrupts, nodding at Chris.
"Umm yeah uh thanks," Chris nods. He kisses her forehead and walks over to his mom, "keep an eye on that asshole please," nodding towards Malik.
"Nothing is going on at the office is there?" his mom smiles. "I'll watch what I can."
"Thank you," he smiles and leans down and kisses her cheek.
YOU ARE READING
Where We Belong
RomanceChris Hamilton and Kendall Miller have been best friends since they were little, diapers to be exact. Growing up in the Sunshine State, they were inseparable, always hanging out at each other's houses, going to the beach and hanging out with other m...
