“Both, I guess?” I laughed. “I honestly thought he was going to throw a bigger fit about the engagement.”
“Maybe it hasn’t really sunk in yet. I’m sure he’ll call you later.”
“Probably,” I muttered. Dad had asked when we’d next see him, and I’d managed to talk around it until he had to rush off to a meeting. After today, I needed some time to decompress before seeing him again. My mouth hurt from having to constantly bite my tongue.
“Honestly, I think he likes me at least a little now,” Locke said. “That handshake when we left was more hearty and less of a thinly veiled threat.”
I snorted, giving him a flat look. “Don’t get too excited. Remember, I said Dad could be stubborn.”
“Nah, I think it’s that amazing job I did talking up the whiskey sauce.” He winked at me. “But seriously, thank you for convincing him to hear me out.”
I exhaled heavily. I hadn’t meant to, but I couldn’t help it.
“What is it?” Locke asked, turning enough that I could see the concern in his pinched eyes. He caught my hand and we stopped walking. “Hey, what’s going on?”
“I guess…I’m happy he’s willing to at least consider the hotel and take Braeburn’s wishes into account, but it still pisses me off that he’d rather jump through all these hoops than just sell me the property.” I flicked my ponytail off my shoulder, biting back on some of my frustration. “He still thinks I’m some wide-eyed child, and it drives me nuts. I’m twenty-three. I have a degree; Iown a business. I’ve buried my mother and taken charge of her estate which, trust me, wasnota walk in the park. I’m so sick of feeling like I have to prove myself to him.”
Locke squeezed my arm, the pads of his fingers warm where they pressed against my skin. “You know, if there was a reality where your father was going to give you the property, I would back off.”
“Would you?” I teased, trying to force down more of my anger. “Lachlan Fraser, cutthroat real estate developer?”
“I would,” he insisted. We started walking again. He led the way. “I mean, I might try topersuadeyou to my plan.”
“Persuade me how?”
He shot me a cheeky grin.
“Don’t start that, Poshpants.” I held my hand up. “That’s how we ended up pregnant in the first place. Where are we going?”
He gestured across the street toward St. James Quarter. “While we’re here, I thought we could do some shopping for the baby.”
“Shopping?” I pressed my hand to my belly, which was mostly just filled with soup. “It’s going to be a hot minute before the baby needs anything.”
“Time will go faster than you think,” he insisted. “We should make the most of this trip. Braeburn isn’t exactly known for its baby boutiques.”
“Sure, but the baby doesn’t need a Kate Spade onesie,” I said, pointing at the store. “This is all too bougie.”
“Er, right,” Locke said, a little embarrassed. “I suppose we could try George Street.”
George Street. The one filled with jewelry stores. “Are you buying the baby its first diamond?” I teased.
Locke hooked his arm through mine, steering me down the sidewalk. “I think that’s more of a first birthday gift,” he quipped. “But touché. Let’s try Multrees Walk.”
“Oh yes, all that Louis Vuitton and Burberry is going to look great in the nursery.” I pulled us to a stop again. “We don’t need fancy, Locke. We needuseful.”
He stared at me for a beat, perplexed. Finally, he nodded, setting his shoulders, and said, “Then I will get us useful. Mostly.”
“You can spoil the baby a little,” I told him. “But no Gucci-print wallpaper or whatever.”
“Obviously it would be Hermes.” He linked his arm through mine, leading me back the way we came.
We ended up on Rose Street. The shops were quirky and fun and colorful, which was more promising than the luxury brands with security posted outside. I wanted to peruse the storefronts, but Locke was on a mission.
“Are you looking for something in particular?” I asked.
He hummed, flipping his head back and forth. “I’m pretty sure there’s a children’s boutique around here. Last I heard, it had a great reputation for being quality and practical. It’s been a while since I’ve been by, so maybe they’ve moved, but…Oh, there it is!”
He took my hand, and we darted to the other side of the street.The Wee Pram Companywas written across the storefront. Through the window, I could see baby onesies, maternity clothes, and the cutest selection of stuffed animals. Okay, I hadto admit that a flutter of excitement buzzed through me at the sight.
