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The truth of his own words strengthened him. His new business merger would finally release him from the day-to-day running of the company, and he could truly start living. A whole new chapter of his life was just beginning—and he meant to ensure Michaela was in it. Michaela and their baby.
He looked up the number for the studio that was holding the auditions Lily had told him about. There was just one more thing to sort out.
Chapter Fourteen
The vase of red roses Dylan had brought her a few nights ago sat on Michaela’s dresser. How could that have only been days ago? So much had changed.
She pulled at a stray petal. The first day without hearing from him had been awful, but the second day had been worse. And as the truth that he wasn’t going to call sunk in on the third day, Michaela’s heart had turned to concrete again.
Being a workaholic wasn’t conducive to relationships, and from what his secretary said, Dylan Johns was addicted to being busy.
There was no room for Michaela in his life. No room for her or a baby.
Alone in her hotel room, the reality of what was about to happen hit home. The pregnancy tests still sat beside the bathroom sink, and she picked them up again and carried them into the bedroom with her. “I’m going to have a baby. Alone.”
The words carried a rush of terror, excitement, and anticipation through her, and she couldn’t decide which emotion to stick with. “I guess it doesn’t really matter,” she said to the room. “It’s going to happen however I feel about it.”
She dialed room service but couldn’t decide what to order. There were certain things pregnant women weren’t supposed to eat, she knew that, but she couldn’t for the life of her remember what they were. Potatoes were definitely safe, though, so she ordered a large plate of fries.
A few minutes later, there was a knock on her door. Smiling, she went for her wallet to get a tip for the waiter.
“Thank you…” she said as she opened the door—but trailed off at the sight of Dylan’s large frame filling her doorway.
“I got your message. Can I come in?” He beamed at her.
For a moment, Michaela couldn’t speak.
“You’ve got some cheek. Turning up here now, expecting a warm welcome.”
The smile dissolved. “I’m sorry I haven’t called. Things just got crazy.”
“I’m sure they did, but that’s the problem with you, isn’t it? ‘Things’ will always come up. ‘Things’ will always get in the way.”
“I should have rung, I’m sorry. But I only got your message today—“
“It’s too late. You’ve made it clear where your priorities lie. Work will always come first. It’s fine. I think you better leave.” She tried to shut the door.
“Michaela, wait.” With his shoulder to the door, he overpowered her, pushed his way into the room, and shut the door behind him. “Can we just back up a bit? I’ve got news.”
Turning her back, Michaela stalked over to a chair, not trusting herself to get too close. “I’ve got a new business partner,” he said. “I’ve gotten the board’s approval for a merger, so it’s only a matter of days until the details get sorted by the lawyers and it becomes public. It’s going to be fantastic—more than fantastic.”
She kept her face stony.
“I’ll have more time, and there’ll be more money, so you can quit work and have our baby.”
“I should quit work and look after the baby?” she echoed, dumbfounded.
“You don’t have to… I mean, it’ll be up to you. If—” He faltered and raked a hand through his hair.
Michaela checked his face. He seemed genuinely upset. She bit her lip. No. She’d been here before. “I’m happy for you that you’ve done something about your company, but that doesn’t change anything. You’re still a workaholic. Something else will come up, and you’ll swan off on your next crusade. You don’t do relationships, or weddings, or family, you said so yourself.”
“I really said that, didn’t I?”
“Don’t pretend with me. You don’t even want this baby. Admit it.”
“Michaela, of course I want our baby.”
“You say that now.”
“Stop this. You’re not listening. I’ve changed. You’ve changed me. All the work, all the success—it’s all nothing without you.”
Michaela rolled her eyes. “I always did say you could have had a career in acting.”
Dylan heaved an exasperated sigh. “I mean it. God, you’re so damn independent.”
“And that’s a bad thing?”
“No. No, of course not. But Michaela—” he walked over to where she sat and tried to take her hand as he knelt in front of her. “We’re good together. I said all those things before I realized how empty my life is without you.”
Not prepared to trust him yet, Michaela said nothing, and he stood and went to sit on the bed. The three pregnancy tests lay within arm’s reach. He picked them up. “We’re having a baby,” he said, the amazement clear in his voice.
“I’m having a baby.”
“Michaela, please.”
This time she was sure the hurt in his eyes was genuine, and the concrete around her heart softened, allowing a little blood back in. “How can I know you won’t just leave again? That some phone call won’t summon you off on important business you can’t afford to turn down?”
“Because you’ve made me realize how important it is to live my life properly. To follow my dreams. That’s my other piece of news. Lily told me about a dance audition for a film. I figured I had nothing to lose and—and I got the part!”
Of course, he might want their baby, but that didn’t mean he was going to be around to help raise it. Michaela remained mute.
“You were the one who said my mother would have wanted me to give dancing a shot.”
“That’s great,” she said.
“But it’s here,” he said, obviously expecting a bigger reaction. “I got a part as a dancer in a film. It’s a big Hollywood music hall thing. They’re shooting it here in Sydney. It gives me about six months to hand things over with the firm, and then I’ll be dancing again. And…” He took her hands. “I’ll have you here with me.”
“I’m still not sure…”
