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I should have done better than that. God, I sounded so flimsy. I own multiple companies, a grown man approaching forty, and yet I am stumbling over words because of one woman.
She brought me to my knees, and six years on that hasn’t changed.
Chapter 9 Elle
I can’t believe it. Luke is here. He’s the one who bought the Cleveland Bulldogs. And I just had to run into him at the studio.
This feels like a bad dream. A really bad one. I can’t see him, not now. Too much time has passed, and he’s going to want answers.
Answers that involve my daughter. I’m sure Diane will have said something about Amy to Luke. She likes to talk about Amy, just like she would talk about her own children. My coworker loves kids.
Will Luke connect the dots? I don’t know if he will, but I don’t want to take the chance. Hopefully, Diane will not say anything.
But, then again, given how rich Luke is, I’m sure he’ll be able to find me, anyway.
I’m still shaking as I pull into my driveway behind Ben’s car. Then I sit there for a few minutes, trying to gather my thoughts. Six years on, and Luke still has an effect on me. It’s remarkable that he can make me feel like we’re meeting for the first time again. That spark is still there.
But I don’t know how I’m supposed to react anymore. Everything is just a mess.
What if he sees Amy? What if he demands to know who the father is? I can’t tell him. I should, but I just can’t.
A knock at the window makes me jump. I shriek, and hit my shoulder against the door. The door opens, and Ben is leaning in. He looks concerned.
“Are you okay? I heard you come home, and you didn’t come inside.”
“I…It’s nothing.” I gulp. “Amy’s still at kindergarten, isn’t she?”
“Of course. She’s not due out until two-thirty. Elle, are you okay? You’re white as a sheet.”
“It’s just…I’ve had a shock, that’s all.” I start to get out. “It’s nothing, really.”
“Are you sure about that?” Ben clasps my shoulders as I stand up, only to let go when I wince. “Sorry.”
“It’s fine. I’m just clumsy.” It’s a little uncomfortable with Ben standing so close, and I shuffle to one side. “It’s just been a bit of an…interesting day, that’s all.”
Ben frowns.
“Did one of the players put their hands on you? Is that why you’re so shaken?”
“What? No! Of course not.”
“Then what happened? I’ve never seen you behave like this before.” Ben’s eyes search my face. “Elle, talk to me.”
I don’t know if I can find the words. Ben knows about me having a one-night stand, but he doesn’t know who the father is. What could I tell him? The only things I knew about Luke were his first name and that he’s got a lot of money.
I know how he’s a billionaire who can buy out anyone he wants, and that he can probably make things difficult for me if he wants.
I hear the sound of a car coming along the street, and I look to see it pull up on the curb. For a moment, I think it’s Carly coming home. But she said she was going to be working late. Then I see Luke getting out from the passenger seat, and my heart sinks as my knees go weak. Oh, God, how had he found me so quickly? Had Diane really told him where I live?
Ben turns as Luke approaches, putting himself between him and me. I touch Ben’s shoulder.
“It’s okay.”
“What? Do you know him?”
“I do. He’s harmless.”
I don’t know about that, but I can tell that Luke is not going to leave just yet. Not if the look on his face is anything to go back. Ben doesn’t look as convinced as I am. He stays in front of me as Luke reaches us, looking past Ben to me.
