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“This is Charlotte.”
Jake's words pulled her away from her memories and back to the marble foyer.
“You've probably guessed already, but this is my sister and the bride-to-be, Callie.”
Charlie smiled. “Nice to meet you.” Extending her hand she waited for the other woman to take it but instead Callie stepped toward her and hugged her. Taken back Charlie stood frozen for half a second before returning the warm gesture.
“I'm glad you could come. Someone needs to make sure my brother behaves himself,” Callie said nodding in Jake's direction. In a flash the smile that had been on Callie's face faded. “Warren wants to see you.”
By the way Callie looked over at Jake, Charlie guessed he already knew what his father wanted
“I'll keep Charlotte company.”
Despite his sister's reassurance Jake still didn't move. Something was up. Jake always spoke warmly about his family, giving her the impression that they were a tight-knit group, so his current reluctance didn't make a lot of sense.
Mind your own business. If he wants to share he will, Charlie told herself.
“Go ahead. I'll be fine.” Charlie took a step away from him.
Jake watched as his sister led Charlie away. “Do you like baseball?” He heard his sister ask as the women walked up the grand staircase.
At least someone will have a good afternoon. Jake turned toward the hall that led to his father's study. Callie was one of the friendliest people he knew. If anyone could make Charlie feel comfortable here, it was her. Why couldn't his father have waited for this? He knew his father wanted to discuss the Blair situation. A situation he was already handling. He didn't need his family getting involved. Although he'd expected their interference, he'd hoped they'd wait till after the wedding. They knew he had a guest with him.
Standing in front of his father's study, he paused. Right now he should be the one showing Charlie around. Maybe they could have hid out on the sail boat he kept moored here for some private time before lunch. She'd told him she was eager to give sailing a try. But instead of doing that he was about to face the firing squad. Hell.
Raising his fist, he knocked on the heavy mahogany door and waited. From the other side his father told him to come in. Taking another deep breath, he turned the knob and entered.
The familiar sent of old books and leather enveloped him. He'd always loved this room. Other than his own private suite on the second floor overlooking the ocean, this was his favorite room at Cliff House. As usual his father sat behind his massive antique desk, a mug of coffee and several documents in front of him. On the other side of the desk in one of the leather chairs sat his half-brother Dylan.
“About time my best man got here,” Dylan greeted. Coming to his feet he smiled and gave Jake a thump on the back.
Jake couldn't remember ever seeing his brother as happy as he'd been during the past year and today was no exception. “Wouldn't miss it for the world. Just don't forget you wouldn't even be getting married if it wasn't for me. You owe me one.” Jake couldn't resist giving his brother a hard time.
“I'll be sure to return the favor if the need ever arises,” Dylan replied with all seriousness.
Jake saw his father take off his reading glasses, a signal that he was ready to get down to business. Cursing under his breath he took the other seat in front of the desk. “None of it's true,” he said before anyone else could say a word.
“Are you sure? You were with Blair for several months. Accidents happen.”
No kidding? Really? Wasn't Callie proof of that? Jake wanted to say but held back. Being a wise ass toward his father wasn't going to help with anything. “She'd have to be at least four months pregnant for it to be mine. I ran into her a few weeks ago and there's no way Blair is that pregnant.” Jake shifted in his seat. Even though he was an adult he still found it uncomfortable to discuss his sex life with his father. With his brother it was one thing, but it didn't feel right with his father.
“Are you sure about that? Could you be confused about the dates?” his father asked.
Jake heard Dylan cover up a half laugh with a fake cough and threw him a dirty look. “I ended things with her over 2 months ago and before that I was in England for over a month. You know she didn't come with me.” Even if it'd been a normal trip he wouldn't have taken Blair, but this trip had been anything but typical. “Before I left we hadn't been spending a lot of time together. Besides we always used something.” Though he hadn't ended things with her until coming back, he'd known their relationship wasn't working before he left for England.
How could he have been so wrong about Blair? He'd known she wasn't the woman for him, but he never would have guessed she'd pull this stunt.
“I see. Have you spoken to her? Any idea why she's coming at you like this?”
Jake watched as his father drummed his finger tips on the desk telling him he was deep in thought trying to examine the problem from all aspects.
“Damned if I know.” He raked a hand through his hair. “We talked recently and she didn't mention a thing to me then. She just asked me to meet her in New York for the weekend. I already called my lawyer.” Jake wanted his father to know he was already on top of things.
“What did he say?” Dylan asked.
“He's pushing for an ultrasound and DNA testing.”
“I want to get Marty and our lawyers involved with this. They should be able to get this mess cleared up before it does too much damage to the family.”
