Chapter 3 Meeting The Enemy

(Ivy)

I chose a café on the opposite side of the city.

The bell above the door jingles.

A young blonde woman in oversized sunglasses scans the room before spotting me.

I know she’s twenty-five. Nash and I are thirty-seven.

Her face lights up. “Ivy?”

I stand. “Piper…”

“Oh my God!” She hurries over and throws her arms around me before I can react. “It’s so nice to meet you.”

I hug her back politely. “You too.”

“I’ve always wanted a sister,” she says with an excited laugh. “Mom and your dad are disgustingly adorable together. I still can’t believe they got married.”

“I’m still getting used to the idea myself.”

“I was worried you wouldn’t like me.” She smiles sheepishly.

“I’m happy Dad’s happy.”

I can tell she has no idea who my husband is. Good.

“Thank God.” She laughs. “I told Mom I hoped you’d say that. She was worried you’d be the evil stepsister.”

I smile. A waitress appears and takes our orders.

As soon as she leaves, Piper leans forward. “So...” Her eyes sparkle. “Tell me everything about yourself.”

“There isn’t much to tell.”

“Oh, come on.” She grins. “Mom said your dad never told her much about you.”

“I’m a very private person but I’m an obstetrician and gynecologist.”

Her mouth falls open. “No way!” She lowers her voice. “I’m pregnant.”

“Congratulations. I’m also a surgeon.”

“That is so cool.” She claps her hands together. “Maybe you can come on my channel sometime.”

“Sure. I’ve been following along lately with the rest of the world.”

Her eyes go impossibly wide. “Really? Oh my God!” She fans her face with her hand. “Imagine you being interested in my life!”

“Imagine, indeed.”

Piper practically bounces in her seat.

“This is perfect!” She beams at me. “Can I ask you something?”

“Of course.”

“I’ve been so nauseous all day this week. Is that normal?”

“It’s very common during the first trimester.”

She lets out a dramatic sigh of relief. “I thought so, but G****e is terrifying.”

I laugh. “It usually is.”

“Are you married?”

“I’m divorced.”

Nearly anyway.

“Oh, you’re so brave. I could never live without a man. But at least you have your career.”

“I do.”

“My prenatal appointment is tomorrow.” She rests a hand on her stomach. “I’m so excited.”

“I hope it all goes well. Is the father joining you?”

“Not this time.” She frowns. “But I know he will next time.”

“Well, if you’re following...” she leans closer. “You know he’s a billionaire.”

“Yes. I read that.”

“He’s married too,” she says casually.

“Oh, when did you find out?”

She shrugs. “I knew from the beginning.”

“That doesn’t bother you?”

“If I was born in the 1820’s maybe.”

“You’re having a child with someone else’s husband.”

“So?” She lifts one shoulder. “If she can’t give him what he needs then too bad.”

I keep my expression neutral. But the sparks are flying inside me.

“She’s obviously barren. He really wants kids,” Piper says. “Besides, a man doesn’t stray unless something’s missing at home. Her loss.”

The words land like tiny knives.

“Maybe she’s let herself go. I stay snatched.”

Our meals arrive, giving us both a reason to stop talking for a few minutes.

Piper picks at her salad before looking up. “So... we should probably talk about the reception.”

“We probably should.”

“I’ve never planned anything before.”

“I’ve organized quite a few fundraising galas and charity events through the hospital.”

Her eyes brighten. “Lifesaver.”

“I’ve already been looking at venues.”

“You have?”

I nod.

“I found a brand-new Michelin-starred restaurant. Your mom and you could have a cocktail downstairs first. Then one of the staff would lead you upstairs where everyone will already be waiting.”

Piper’s mouth falls open. “Wow... that’s perfect!”

“That’s if she enjoys surprises. Not everyone does.”

“She was born for surprises. She’ll cry.” Piper laughs. “Mom cries at everything.”

“If I’m coordinating everything, it would probably be easier if I handle the invitations and guest list as well. You send me names of anyone on your Mom’s side.” That way she won’t see Nash’s name on the guest list.

But I have to be careful I don’t give Nash any details he might connect.

“That makes so much sense.” She smiles. “Please do it. But, I’d like to contribute something.”

“Well, we have the venue and food sorted. How about you take care of the decorating. I’ve never been much good at that stuff.”

“Sure, I’d love that. I can post on my channels…”

“No,” I say almost too quickly.

Her head snaps up. “Why?”

I shake my head. “It’s a surprise, remember. You have to keep it secret. Like your billionaire.”

“You’re right. I won’t post anything about it. This is going to be fun.”

“My thoughts exactly.”

Piper’s phone vibrates on the table.

She glances at the screen and breaks into a huge smile. “Guess who this is?”

“Who?”

“My future mother-in-law.” She turns the phone towards me for just a second. “I better answer. I told her about the baby yesterday.” She gets up and steps outside.

Shit, Eleanor knows already. Unexpected. Okay, I need to stay calm.

Piper speaks for a few minutes and comes back to the table. “She’s invited me to dinner tonight.”

My stomach tightens. Tonight?

Nash and I are supposed to be having dinner with Eleanor.

“She absolutely adores me,” Piper says proudly. “She’s been amazing.”

“I’m glad.”

“She says her son deserves better.”

I don’t respond. But clearly Nash’s mother is trying to out him. He’ll be furious.

“She can’t wait to help me get rid of his useless wife.”

The words don’t sting as much as they should.

Mostly because I already know exactly what kind of woman Eleanor Hawke is.

Piper taps her screen.

“I’ll call him for a pick up. I need to go get ready. She asked me to keep it quiet and we’ll surprise him.”

Oh, you’ll surprise him alright. But that ruins my plans for the reception.

She deliberately places the phone between us while it rings.

The wallpaper fills the display.

Piper wrapped around Nash. His face isn’t blurred.

It’s the same photograph she’d posted online.

Only this version was never meant for public eyes.

“Nash!” Piper beams as he answers. “I miss you.”

A pause. “Piper, get me off speakerphone!” Nash barks out.

She smiles and taps her screen and puts the phone to her ear.  “Come and pick me up, please.”

Another pause. Her smile fades. “Oh... alright.”

She twirls a strand of blonde hair around her finger. “Well, could you at least send your favorite car?”

Another pause.

“Okay.”

She ends the call with a disappointed sigh. “He’s so busy sometimes.”

I nod sympathetically. “I can imagine billionaires are very busy.”

She slips her phone back into her handbag. “Let me know as soon as the date is locked in.”

“I will. I’ll send out invites asap as well.”

“Perfect.”

“I really need to get back to work. It’s been lovely meeting you, Piper.” I stand and she gets up too.

We hugged.

“It’s been so cool. I hope we can get to know each other real well.”

“I’m sure we will be. See you later, Piper.”

***

By the time I get out of the hospital shower, my phone tells me Nash is waiting outside.

I climb into the passenger seat of the black SUV.

“How was your day?” he asks.

“Productive.”

He smiles as he pulls away from the curb. “Did you get the things done for your dad?”

“I did, thanks. He says hi,” I lie. “You aren’t in your favorite car today?”

He keeps his eyes on the road. “The Range Rover’s in the shop.”

“Oh?”

“Routine service. I’ll have it back soon enough.”

“Are we going straight to your mother's?”

“Unless you want to get changed?”

“No, I showered at work and brought this dress with me.”

“You look beautiful.”

“Thank you.”

I spend the drive wondering exactly how he’s going to explain himself in a few minutes. I try not to smile.

I hum to the tune on the radio instead. We turn into Eleanor’s long driveway.

I immediately spotted the dark Range Rover parked beside the front entrance with a driver inside.

I bite the inside of my cheek to stop myself smiling.