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“Fine, we’ll check it out later—I really have to go now.”
“Love ya.”
After we hang up, I pause to really look at the penthouse in a way I never have in all the time I’ve been living here. It’s large, with sleek, modern furnishings. The living room is surrounded by wall-to-ceiling windows. It has everything you’d expect in a luxury penthouse.
Beyond that, I notice the odd things. The house is bare. Sterile. There’s a stark lack of personal effects, which is so unlike Ryan’s personality. He presents himself as warm and outgoing on the outside. I would have thought his living area would reflect his outward warmth—full of life and color, leaving the coldness to his office and bedroom.
The exact reverse might be happening here.
Ryan’s office is a beautiful place, a treasure trove bursting with books of every genre, surrounded by beige leather furniture and dark, polished wood. The shelves are crammed with awards and knick knacks from way back in college days.
Ryan is a pack rat, a collector at heart. He holds onto memories and achievements. If this is the vibe of his office, I can’t help but wonder about his bedroom. What would I find behind those doors?
He’s not even living up to his playboy persona. Instead, he shows such sexual restraint unlike anything I’ve ever known a man to possess.
Why have I never realized that I’ve been living with a shell, and the real Ryan keeps himself locked away?
Suddenly I have the urge to run into his bedroom.
Glancing at the large digital clock on the sleek console across the room, reality pulls me back. I have a meeting with a high-profile client at Whirlpool in forty minutes. Fred, my chauffeur, has a knack for weaving through Seattle’s traffic, but even he can’t work miracles if I wait too long.
Today’s not the day to explore. I’ll have to find another opportunity to nose around. Specifically, inside that bedroom, which seems to be marked ‘off-limits’ in bold, invisible ink.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Ryan
“I’ll be in New York today,” I tell Xavier as I navigate through Seattle’s morning traffic.
“Really! Are you sure?” His voice comes through the car speaker, tinged with surprise. “It’s... today.”
I shake my head, even though he can’t see me. “And?”
“Nothing. I just thought that today, of all days, you’d be in Seattle.”
“Stella has a meeting with Harriet’s caseworker. I’m coming with her.” Stella’s lawyer— one of Gina’s contacts in New York arranged a last-minute meeting with the adoption agency. Stella immediately reached out to the DuPonts to arrange a visit with Harriet.
Xavier goes suspiciously quiet.
“If your mouth is open, man, I suggest you close it and help me gather everyone tonight.”
“Does that mean you’ll be Harriet’s adoptive father then?”
I shrug. “That’s Stella’s decision, but considering the circumstances, yeah it’s possible.”
“Ryan. Have you thought about the fact that you’ll be divorcing her? In six short months you’ll be making her a single mother of two.”
I haven’t told Xavier that Stella isn’t pregnant. “Are you then suggesting I turn her down if she needs me to be Harriet’s adoptive father, genius?”
Xavier sighs, “I just don’t want her hurt, man. She was single, and then all of a sudden, you’re all over her.”
“She’s my wife, you idiot. Of course, I’m all over her.” Why does everyone think I’m out to hurt Stella? “Just gather everyone and let me worry about my marriage.” I pause for a beat, then add, “And children,” just to get under his skin a bit more.
“Fine, dumbass.” Xavier snaps. “I’ll get everyone and their dog.”
“Stella will definitely want to see Brooke. Things have been off between them since our wedding.”
“I know. They need to hash out things.” Xavier agrees.
