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“Camille?” I practically pull a muscle in my neck from jerking back. I start laughing from the mere suggestion. “Camille Arden?”
Story is not amused.
My jaw drops. “You’re serious?”
“Of course, I’m serious.” Waving her hand in front of her, she adds, “Clearly, you didn’t by that reaction, but she told me she would and that you would never marry someone like me.”
Shaking my head in disbelief, I drop my jaw even further. “She said I wouldn’t marry someone clever, beautiful, kind with the biggest heart, thoughtful, and intelligent, someone who is willing to put in the work whether it comes to a job, school, or a relationship? I’m confused what kind of person she’d think I’d marry if I wouldn’t want those attributes?”
She tries to restrain her grin, but one side rises and then the other. Pink spreads across her cheeks right before she says, “You always were a charmer.”
“If I could charm you, Story Salenger, I would, but I have a feeling you’re resistant to anything to do with a Haywood.”
“Except one.” The quietest of gasps is heard as she sucks in a breath that she’s now holding. With her pretty hazel eyes wide with worry, she says, “I, um—” She gets to her feet and grabs her purse, but it slips from her hands from hurrying.
Story’s always made my heart beat erratically, but this time, it’s a race against time. I stand, but not wanting to make a scene, I whisper, “Tell me, Story. Please.”
Her gaze is darting around as her eyes fill with tears. “Not here,” she says, passing me and rushing toward the exit.
The server comes over and sets my card down again. “Sorry, I got pulled into the kitchen.”
I scribble my name and copy the cost of the meals for the tip. Dashing through the inside of the restaurant, I don’t see her. I run outside and frantically look both ways. But there’s no fucking sign of her. “Fuck.”
People waiting in line for the restaurant move farther away from me. When a mother covers her child’s ears with her hands and puts herself between us, I huff. “Sorry.”
Scrubbing my hands over my face, I take a deep breath and then exhale just as slowly.
“Cooper?”
I turn around.
Story’s standing there, not ten feet from me. I close the gap, keeping two between us.
The tears that were in her eyes earlier aren’t there now. The fear I heard in her voice is nowhere to be found. Instead, I’m greeted with a soft smile and a peek into her soul. I missed seeing her look at me like this, like we have a lifetime ahead of us.
She says, “I think you should meet your son.”
Story
“Slow down,” Lila yells to Jake. When he stops ahead, she redirects her attention to me. “You’re going to need to back up, Story. How the hell does Cooper Haywood know he is Reed’s sperm donor?”
I nod toward Reed on the other side of me, and whisper, “Don’t call him that.”
“Wow, you’re already defending him? That must have been a damn good brunch last week.”
I stop, my hand tightening on Reed’s. “What’s wrong? Why are you so angry?”
With her eyes on her own son, she whispers, “He wasn’t here to pick up the pieces.” When Jake starts walking back toward us, she looks at me. “I was. It wasn’t pretty. In fact, it was damn messy.”
Reed says, “She says damn a lot, Mommy.”
“I know. Don’t you say it, though. Okay, buddy?”
He nods, so I turn back to Lila, giving her scolding wide eyes before we start walking again. She sighs, but then continues, “Look, Story, his last name gives him access to money and lawyers that you won’t be able to compete with. If Cooper wants this kid, or worse, his parents want a second chance, you’ll lose him.”
“Do you not think all of this has been running like a loop inside my head? I slept on his floor last night just to be near him and spent half the night staring at this perfect human who’s kind and smart—”
“Just like the woman who raised him.”
Hooking arms with her, I pull her close. “I appreciate that.” Jake takes Reed’s hand. “No more than five feet ahead, guys,” I remind them of our rule. “I trust him, Lila. I may be wrong, and if I am, I’ll pay the ultimate price. But he told me things that give me faith that he’s being honest.”
“Like what?”
We round the corner, and the boys take off running. They know once there are no streets between us and the park, they’re good to go.
Navigating between what’s in the NDA and what else he told me is more difficult when put on the spot. That’s what sold me. He put his heart and fortune on the line for me, entrusting me with that information. He might be the greatest liar who ever lived, but I don’t think so. I think he’s being truthful.
