Chapter Six

Grace POV

I tried to keep myself busy at my desk. I could see the boardroom door from where I was sitting. They were still in there, Hunter and Helena. Max was still waiting in Hunter’s office.

I threw my pen down. There was no point in trying to focus. My mind kept circling back to the conversation with Hunter, the way he had tried to control who I saw, his interference. It didn’t make sense. Or maybe I just didn’t want to admit the possible reasons why.

I had made dinner plans with Max. A man who made me feel something other than invisible. A man who didn’t see me as just an employee or a sister-in-law. He saw me as a woman. A desirable woman.

I wasn’t stupid enough to sleep with him if that was Hunter’s concern. Was he worried that Max’s sperm could somehow get mixed up with his? God, I was a virgin. It wasn’t like I would jump into bed with Max that quickly.

I didn’t want to use Max; it wouldn’t be fair to him. I would see how my feelings developed first. If my feelings still didn’t shift away from Hunter, then I wouldn’t take things further with Max.

I gave a silent laugh. What am I doing? We haven’t even been on one date yet, and I’m assuming he’s going to want to see me again.

I was so lost in my thoughts I almost missed Helena leaving the boardroom.

I held my breath, waiting for Hunter to leave. I jumped when I heard something hit the wall. Not two seconds later, Hunter came out, a look of thunder on his face. He didn’t even glance at me as he made his way to his office, where Max was waiting for him.

As he opened the door, he said over his shoulder, “Order me a new phone, Grace.”

I frowned. What had happened to his last one? “Yes, sir.” I would have normally said “Hunter” because he was my brother-in-law. But after today, I think I needed to keep a little distance between us both.

I watched as Hunter paused for a moment before opening his door. He had noticed the distance I had just placed between us, and by the set of his shoulders, I knew he didn’t like it. I didn’t need the forceful way he closed his office door to confirm it.

At precisely seven o’clock, my condo intercom buzzed. I wasn’t used to men picking me up. Most of my life had been spent in the background of Helena’s world, always watching her get the attention while I faded into the shadows.

I knew I wasn’t chopped liver. I looked in the mirror. There was just something about Helena that drew men to her. But Max had seen past that, and he was waiting downstairs for me.

I took one last look at myself in the mirror. A simple black dress that hugged me in all the right places. Nothing flashy, nothing over-the-top, just enough to remind myself that I wasn’t just a surrogate. I was still a woman, too.

By the time I stepped outside, Max was leaning against his sleek, black sports car. I wasn’t a car person so had no idea the make and model, but it’s looked expensive. 

His dark blue button-up shirt was open at the collar, the sleeves rolled up just enough to reveal strong forearms. The sight of him sent an unexpected thrill through me.

“Wow,” Max said, letting out a low whistle as he took me in. “I knew you were gorgeous, but damn, Grace, you’re trying to kill me here.”

A blush crept up my cheeks, and I hated how easily he made me feel flustered. “You clean up nicely yourself.”

He smirked. “Shall we?”

The drive to the restaurant was smooth, filled with easy conversation. Max had a way of making me laugh, and for the first time in a long time, I felt light. Free.

When we arrived, I realized he had made reservations at one of the city’s more exclusive restaurants. Dim lighting, soft music, and an intimate atmosphere. This was a date. A real date.

Over dinner, we talked about everything, our childhoods, our work, our lives. He told me stories about Hunter from their university days, and I found myself laughing more than I had in months.

But there was something else, too… something unspoken in the way Max watched me, like he saw something in me I hadn’t even realized was there.

“So,” Max said, swirling the last of his whiskey in his glass, “what’s the deal with you and Hunter?”

My stomach clenched. “There is no deal.”

He lifted a brow, unconvinced. “Come on, Grace. I know a man who’s territorial when I see one.”

I swallowed hard. “He’s just my brother-in-law.” I was not going to tell the guy I was on a date with that I fantasized about Hunter naked and sometimes had wet dreams about him. Not information I was willing to share with... well, anyone.

“Yeah, and yet, when we stepped off that elevator, he looked like he wanted to rip me apart just for standing near you.”

I sighed, glancing away. “It’s complicated.”

Max leaned in, his voice lower now. “Then let’s make it simple. Explain it to me. I’m a good listener.”

My heart pounded at the directness of the question. “I’m not sure…”

His fingers brushed over the back of my hand, sending a shiver up my spine. “Please, I want to know.”

I looked up at him, at the sincerity in his deep blue eyes. And for a moment, I allowed myself to imagine what it would be like if I could want him without any baggage. If I could be with him without the constant shadow of my sister and Hunter looming over me.

“Did you know Helena couldn’t fall pregnant?” I asked cautiously.

Max nodded. “Yeah, I talked to Hunter about it over the last six months.”

I exhaled slowly. “Then you should know—I’m their surrogate.”

Max’s expression froze. The easy smile on his lips faded as he absorbed my words. “You’re… carrying their baby?”

I nodded, my throat tightening. “I’m trying. They did the procedure this morning. It’s her egg, his sperm, but I’m the one that needs to carry it.”

For a moment, Max just stared at me, his gaze unreadable. Then he leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his hair. “Wow. I wasn’t expecting that.”

I forced a small smile. “It not something usually brought it up on first dates. ‘Hey by the way, I could be pregnant.’”

Max let out a breathless chuckle, shaking his head. “No, I can’t imagine you do.” He paused, watching me carefully. “Do you want me to back off?”

I blinked at him. “What?”

“If this… whatever this is between us… is too much for you right now, just say the word, and I’ll step back.” His voice was steady, without pressure, just an offer.

I studied him, my heart hammering. Max had been the first man in a long time to look at me like I was more than just an extension of Helena’s life. More than just a vessel for her baby. And I wasn’t ready to give that up.

“No,” I said firmly. “I don’t want you to back off.”

Max’s gaze softened, and he reached across the table, covering my hand with his. “Then I won’t.”

The warmth of his touch grounded me. For the first time in a long time, I felt like I had a choice. Like I was more than just the role I had been forced into.

And I wasn’t going to let that go.