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Covering my surprise, I said, “Oh, I didn’t want it to be a big deal.”
“Aren’t you worried about a conflict of interest?” he asked. “Being his surrogate, and then having his baby…”
“It’s fine,” I replied. “We didn’t mean for it to happen. It just… sort of did. We’re trying not to take it too seriously. But it won’t get in the way of the surrogacy, I can promise you that.”
“As long as you’re sure, I trust you.” He stepped back and took me in. “Pumpkin. You’re beautiful. That jewelry…”
“It’s fake,” I quickly said.
“I was going to say it fits your dress wonderfully.” He pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed at his eyes. “I don’t know how a man like me wound up with two amazing daughters, but I know I’m lucky.”
I gave him another hug. “I’ve missed you, dad.”
“I’ve missed you too. But it makes me happy to know that you’ve been with a man like that.” He nodded toward Pierce, who was still on the phone.
“Does that mean you like him?”
“Like him? I love him! Maybe we’ll be having your wedding this time next year. Hopefully he’ll pay for it.” He leaned closer and lowered his voice. “This one is already cleaning me out, and your sister has been a bit of a bridezilla with some of the vendors.”
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” I said, laughing nervously.
“Come on,” he said, sniffling. “Let’s go get some champagne.”
35
Melinda
It was so refreshing being around my family again, even if Carly was too distracted to talk much. It was also a strange combination of worlds—seeing my parents talking and laughing with Pierce was surreal.
The fact that they liked my billionaire boyfriend—if that was even an accurate way to describe him—was more relieving than I ever expected it to be. I cared deeply about them liking Pierce, because I liked him. Their acceptance was a reflection of my own way of falling for Pierce. It made it all feel genuine, rather than a superficial attraction to a man with lots of money.
I thought about that as the ceremony began. The other bridesmaids walked down the aisle first, then it was my turn. I drew every eye, but it was Pierce’s gaze and smile in the fourth row that I cared the most about. I couldn’t help but smile myself, blushing more from his intense stare than from everyone else that was gathered.
When Carly walked down the aisle, escorted by my father, I instantly began tearing up. I sniffled and tried not to distract too much, though Carly kept glancing over at me until she reached the altar. My little sister was getting married!
The ceremony itself was beautiful, and I was a mess of emotions. Maybe I’m pregnant after all, I hoped. Weddings usually didn’t have this effect on me.
Carly seemed like she was in a strange mood while we took photographs. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it, but she was off. I started worrying that she was already having second thoughts about getting married. Mom had told me Carly and Landon had been bickering about the wedding planning.
“Pierce!” my father shouted during the family photo. “Get in here.”
“Oh, that’s not necessary…” I said.
“I don’t want to intrude,” Pierce added. “You’re all so beautiful, I wouldn’t fit in.”
“Nonsense! You’re Mel’s date, so you need to be in the photos.”
“We have a specific photo schedule,” my sister hissed.
“It’s one photo. It won’t hurt anything,” Dad insisted.
Pierce awkwardly joined us, standing on the outside next to me. I was actually kind of glad that Dad was including him; I wanted a photo of us, regardless of what happened when the contract was over.
“Is everything all right?” I asked her after the photos.
“I’m fine,” she replied curtly.
I decided not to let it bother me. If she wanted to be in a weird funk about the wedding, then I couldn’t control that.
