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“I see. Enough said.”
“So anyway, I was telling Lex you work at Lantern Publishing. His brother-in-law”—Lex’s eyes turn to Kate with an evil stare—“published his manuscripts with the Californian branch.”
“What’s his name?” I ask curiously.
“Julian Baker,” Kate replies.
“What? Are you kidding me? I love his work, not to mention he is . . . oh wait, pregnant hormonal lady on the loose. He is gorgeous.” I fan myself with a napkin, a wide smile on my face.
Lex’s eyes narrow and Kate is quick to jump in. “Sorry Pres, he is married now to Lex’s sister.”
I laugh loosely. “I’m always missing the boat. So yes, he has done a great deal for Lantern Publishing and opened up avenues for other authors. He’s never visited our New York office, but hopefully he will one day.”
“So correct me if I’m wrong, Mr. Sadler owns and operates this branch?” Lex questions in a more business-like manner, quick to get off the topic of Julian Baker.
“Yes, I’ve been working for him for about eight years now,” I tell him.
“I met him last year at a conference. Kate and I discussed branching out into publishing. With business thriving in our production company, we are looking to expand once again. He was quite knowledgeable, as was his son.”
“Son? Mr. Sadler doesn’t have a son . . .” I answer, puzzled.
Lex furrows his brows. “He introduced him to us. What was his name again, Kate?”
“Had . . . oh my god, Presley! Why didn’t I put two and two together?” she almost yells.
I am confused by Kate’s outburst. “What are you talking about?”
She drops her cutlery immediately, leaning back into her chair and folding her arms with a surprised look on her face. “Haden, he’s Mr. Sadler’s son . . . your baby daddy.”
This time Lex looks confused. “Wait, the dad is Haden Cooper?”
I quickly shoot the ridiculous notion down. “I think you guys are mistaken. Haden isn’t his son.”
“Stepson,” Lex corrects me. “He married Haden’s mom when Haden was young—that’s what he told me.”
Now it’s my turn to sit here in disbelief. I’m staring blankly at my plate, trying to piece the puzzle together. I didn’t understand why Mr. Sadler never said anything, even after he congratulated me at the party. Surely he would have known from all the office gossip that Haden knocked me up. It explains why he got away with murder, but what doesn’t make sense is why he would hide this from me. It wasn’t a big deal.
“Presley, you look pale. Are you okay? Do you want me to take you home?” Kate’s worried face pulls me out of my confused daze.
I smile at them and lie easily. “I’m fine.”
The conversation carries on, and I immerse myself in business talk which distracts me for a while. Lex Edwards is a very powerful and smart man. I have never met someone so driven, yet so family-oriented at the same time. I understand why Kate speaks so highly of him, and together they are such a dynamic duo with the ideas they are bouncing off each other during dinner.
As the night winds down, Lex says his goodbyes before an early flight back home. Before he leaves, he offers his support, should I ever need it.
“This is my wife’s number and email. If ever you want to ask questions or hav
e a chat, please feel free to contact her. She comes to the city often and I’m sure Kate will take you girls out.” He hands me a business card. “Now, here is my contact information, if ever you need anything or if the two of them get up to no good.”
I laugh. “Thank you, Lex, for being so kind. It was really nice to meet you.”
On our way home that night, I can tell Kate knows something isn’t right.
“You had no idea his stepfather was your boss, did you?”
“None whatsoever,” I answer bluntly. “Why would he keep this from me?”
“I have no clue. Is it a big deal, though?”
