Epilogue lNathaniel Three years laterSomething’s wrong.I can tell because Gwyneth has been avoiding me.She never avoids me.Not even when she says I’m being a jerk and drive her mad sometimes. Instead of turning her back to me or sulking, she jumps onto my lap and makes me teach her how to behave.But now, she’s been avoiding me.For two days.She’s also been staring at her negative words list before bed, which she rarely does. These past three years, she’s been working more on herself and has a better grasp on her emotions. She even has a positive words list that makes her smile and laugh and puts her in a bright mood.However, the list she’s been looking at is the negative one. And she’s done it two nights in a row.“My angel finally realized that being with you is a mistake,” King said when I asked him if she’d told him anything. “Now, she can divorce you and come back to me.”“Fuck you, King.”“Hey, is that any way to speak to your father-in-law, motherfucker?”Needless to sa
Epilogue 2 - GwynethOne year later“Don’t cry…I’m here…” I croak, patting my hand on a chubby chest and holding another chubby bottom so she can suck on my breast.Only…I’m not holding anything. I’m not sitting down either and I’m only touching the mattress.I startle, my eyes flying open.Our bedroom comes into sight with the pulled-down curtains that make it dark even though the clock on the wall reads ten in the morning. I fumble for the baby monitor, my heart beating so loudly, I hear it in my ears.Holy shit.Shit.Where are my babies? I clearly remember falling asleep breastfeeding Lily and rocking Logan back to sleep around two in the morning.Did I lose them somehow? Nate spends one night working late in the office,one night, and I lose our twins?They’re three months old—I think I got pregnant that day before Nate’s birthday a year ago. As soon as we found out the news, I was ecstatic, but that can’t be said about everyone else. Dad wondered if I was going to be fine with la
BLURB I’m only nineteen, but it doesn’t stop me from fantasizing about my dad’s best friend I’ve done my best to keep away from Anton Hawthorn this past year. That’s the only way to get over his refusal to kiss me under the mistletoe. That all changes when he agrees to my parents’ request for me to stay with him for one week. I was warned to stay out of his way, but maybe I can turn on the charm for one last chance. Because now I know how to drive him wild—I saw the jealousy in his eyes when a boy took me to my prom. So, if I plan it well, he’ll be putty in my hands. I can’t fail, right? And I don’t care about the age gap or that he’s my dad’s best friend. I only care that I have one week with Anton, and I’m going to do everything I can to make him mine. Because all I want is to be Mrs. Anton Hawthorn…and to carry his child. Chapter 1 Scarlett I stare down at the cherub in my arms. She’s a beautiful little girl with too much hair for a seven-day-old baby. My fingert
“Of course.” Jade pulls me into another hug. Her perfume, mixed with that new-mom scent, fills my nose. “And stop worrying about staying with Anton. You’ve known him forever.”“That’s what worries me.” I step back, wrapping my arms around myself.Max closes the back door with a solid thud. “Ready to go, hon?”“Remember what I said about the job?” Jade slides into the passenger seat. “Show him what you’re made of.”Soon, my parents and sisters are near Jade’s car.“See you soon,” Mum says, rapping her knuckles over the side window of Jade’s car.I sigh as everyone waves as their car pulls away from my parent’s home. Wondering if I will get the same treatment when I leave later today.I doubt that very much.A hand touches my lower back.I know it is him.It’s the same gentle touch that sends electricity down my spine every time his body touches mine. It doesn’t matter that I’m wearing a tee shirt. I always seem to get a thrill from his touch.I know I shouldn’t.Not only is he Dad’s fo
AntonMy knuckles whiten against the steering wheel as I drive back to my townhouse. Scarlett’s perfume fills the car—a gentle mix of vanilla and something floral I can’t place.She shifts in her seat, crossing her legs. A sideways glance catches her profile. Those full pink lips curved up in a slight smile. The streetlights paint shadows across her face, highlighting her cheekbones before my gaze lowers to her Eiffel Tower print tee-shirt, and then I see the whisper of fabric over her bare legs.I snap my eyes back to the road.Focus on driving. Focus on anything else.I grip tighter. She tests every ounce of self-control.“Your place is in a lovely area.” Her voice breaks the tension as we pull into my driveway.“You’ve been before,” I tell her. Clenching my jaw. “And I like the area because it’s a short commute to the office.” My words come out rougher than intended.She turns toward me, and I feel her gaze on my face. I also feel as her eyes roam down my body, and it’s like the to
But I can’t. Not like this.I swallow hard. “You are welcome in my home. You deserve to have someone look after you, and that is what I’m going to do.”Her breath catches, a small sound that nearly breaks my resolve. I force myself to release her arms, step back, putting space between us before I do something we’ll both regret.But the way she looks at me—like I’ve given her the world with those simple words—makes me wonder if either of us would regret it at all.I turn back to the stove, stirring the pasta. “How’s your studying going?”“Good, I’m on track. Though I want what Jade has too.”“Oh?” The wooden spoon circles the pot.“I want a baby.”The spoon slips from my grip, clattering against the pot. Heat floods my body at her words, at the image they conjure. “What about law school?”“That’s Dad’s dream, but I can have both.” Her wine glass clicks against the counter. “And I’m scared I’ll find it hard to conceive.”“You’re only nineteen. You’ve got plenty of time to worry about th
Scarlett“Hello,” I grumble the next morning, as I answer my mobile phone. My alarm hasn’t gone off yet, and I curse my friend as I see her name on the screen.“Hey Scarlett, how are you getting on with your secret crush?”I glance at the time and drop my head on the pillow. “It’s six thirty, Hetty. What are you doing?”“I want the tea.”“There is none.”She laughs. “Of course there is. Now start by telling me how he looked at you? Did his hand linger anywhere on your body for longer than necessary? Did he look at you weirdly?”“Ugh! He showed me my room, made me dinner, and it was more awkward than I expected. So, I’m going to pretend I’m not living in his house for a week. He looks at me like he’s still embarrassed that I tried to kiss him at the wedding.”“He would never kiss you in front of all those guests. Just turn on the charm while you’re living with him, and he’ll be eating out of your hand in no time at all.”“Do you think?” I ask, hopeful.“Yeah, of course. Just don’t be m
“Not really.” I sink deeper into the pillows. They smell like Anton’s laundry detergent.“Tall, dark hair, killer smile? He asked about you.”“I don’t—”“If you say no, I’m going to drag you out myself.” Her voice turns serious. “One night. That’s all I’m asking. It might send Anton crazy.”“I doubt it.” I sigh, knowing she won’t drop this night out, but also because I know Anton doesn’t want me. “Fine.”“Really?”“Yes.” Maybe Anton will be relieved to have the house to himself. To not worry about running into me in the hallway or catching glimpses of me in silk pajamas. “What time?”“Straight after college. Bring some clothes with you to the gym. We’ll start at The Lock & Key.”“Okay.” My stomach twists at the thought of leaving, but I push the feeling aside. “But I’m not staying late.”“You’re sleeping at mine. No arguing.”I roll my eyes.Her laugh echoes through the phone, and it’s as though she can see me. “Bring that black dress. The one with the—”“Okay. I need to go.” I cut he
WhitneyThe insistent doorbell ring startles me out of sleep.Yawning, I swing a leg over the other, dragging my way out of the bed.I probably got maybe two hours of sleep. It took me forever to close my eyes last night, after the heartbreak Maddox put me through. I was restless, fidgety, and devastated. All the words he told me about falling for me meant nothing.If he was really invested, he wouldn’t use the first obstacle to dip out.It was my dad, but what else could it have been? Would he have used just a different excuse later on?A part of me wants to believe he has strong feelings for me, butdoesn’t wantto have them. He acted like he succumbed to it, but maybe he’s still fighting it. This isn’t a fight I can do for him.I’m aware of my love. But his? He has to own it.Sighing, I run into the bathroom, wash my eyes quickly. They’re still a bit puffy from all the late-night crying, but the doorbell keeps reminding me there’s someone out there who’s probably not a mail carrier d
She fishes her phone from her pocket. “Do you want to schedule a post about hmmm, the pictures you were tagged on?”“No. I couldn’t care less at this point. I wasn’t doing anything illegal. I was on a date with my boyfriend.”She puts her phone back in her pocket, then looks at me with a flicker of surprise in her blue eyes. “Boyfriend? Thisisa soap opera. I usually don’t enjoy them, but it’s different when you know the main characters.”I roll my eyes. I bet I’d enjoy it too if I wasn’t one of the main characters. “Talk to you tomorrow, Astrid,” I say, and turn around. I beeline to his table, shoulders straight and heart pumping its way up my throat.“Whitney,” he says when I slide into the booth and sit across from him.“What happened with Dan?” I ask, the professional in me not wanting personal things to take priority. Even if my nerves are pulsing through invisible knots right now. I keep my hand under the table, tapping my fingers on my lap, fidgeting.A flash of anger sparks in
WhitneyI walk into the club,and the first thing I see is Astrid on the corner. Why didn’t she text me back?I dash over to her, my gaze scanning for signs of Dan and Maddox, but because there are a few more patrons than usual, and I can’t find either. Thank goodness for Astrid’s hair color and bold fashion choices making her easy to find in a crowd.“What’s up?” I ask her.She peels her gaze from her phone then tilts her head at me. “Did you see your dad as you walked in? He just left.”My dad? I thought he was with his team on the opposite side of the property. Busy. “No.”“Maybe he took the other exit… the emergency one that leads right out of the hotel.”My shoulders sag. Shit. Does my dad already know? I thought I’d buy some time, at least a couple of hours until he found out. I need to get to Maddox first, before Dad talks to him. Or maybe I’m too late already. Apprehension sweeps over me. I stand in front of her, finding it hard to sit, my body restless. “What’s going on?”“Wel
He’s a coward.Anger rises in me again, and I reach my drink and take it to my lips.I’m enjoying it when I see Charles walk up to me. He’s told me he’d be working with his team until late on a small gathering they’re throwing the next day for people of the trade. I wave at him, and he comes to my table with a determined expression, and long strides like he knows what he’s looking for. Who he’s looking for.My gut clenches. Something isn’t right.Was Dan an ass to him too, on the way back? Did Dan say anything bad about Whitney?Or did a bastard like me do something bad to Whitney?Like fuck her, again and again? I feel color draining from my face, and when Charles gets on the table with a disappointed look on his face, I already know it.“You jerk! I trusted you all those years. My daughter, really?” Charles says, flushed.My throat is dry and tight.Somehow he found out, and denying it will only make him angrier.Guilt crawls its way into my chest, and it’s hard to breathe. How can I
Maddox“And this is where guests and locals come for drinks and music,” I say, gesturing as we emerge into the club. I see quite a few more patrons than the past few weeks, which shows me that Whitney’s efforts have worked. We’ve had more visitors and increased sales. Always a plus.I’d be a lot happier if it weren’t for the company.My body is still stiff, as I had to go through an entire dinner with Dan Walters who happens to be almost as annoying as he is misogynistic. I guess it’s been a while since I last sat through a meal with the guy. We’re not friends, and I’ve met him in social events and basically small talked.I want to give him the benefit of the doubt and say maybe the reason why he’s been talking about women nonstop and not under the best light is because of his divorce. Maybe he’s broken, and feels more powerful if he’s bragging about all the pussy he’s getting.But the cynical part of me knows better.This guy is a certified douchebag, and I hope Astrid can get a good
WhitneyI strideinto the hotel lobby.Right now, Dan Walters the politician should be having dinner with Maddox. Maybe dinner is already over and they’re touring the hotel. Astrid is there in the club, ready to snap a couple of pictures as planned, and then send it to a gossip columnist friend of ours.If this was another client, I wouldn’t be here. My presence isn’t required since Astrid is here, as per her text.But I am shamelessly using every excuse in the book to be around Maddox, to see him more often, to spend more time with him.Ever since our ax throwing date, I can’t stop thinking about how far we’ve come. From him avoiding me for years to hinting about having children together one day. Who would have thought?A ball of joy rolls inside me, like a bowling ball running down the lane. Striking out.I add a little bit more pep to my step, and my goal is to pass by the restaurant and see them without introducing myself. But before I make it there, I almost bump into them, with b
Maddox“Your turn,”she says, handing me the ax.I hold the weight of the tool, and clasp it. This is the first time visiting an ax throwing joint, and if at first the idea seemed silly at best, now I’m actually enjoying myself. Then again, why wouldn’t I? For the past few days, we’ve been together non-stop, or as much as our schedules allow.Still, it doesn’t feel like it’s enough.I shoot the damn thing at the target, hitting it right at buzz’s eye. She squeals, cheering me on, then takes a sip of her beer.She’s invited me here because she needed to come for an appearance and check out the place, take some pictures, then post about it later. So even though this should technically be work, it’s still relaxing. At least, to me.Besides, I get to see how she fills those skintight jeans and plaid shirt she’s wearing. I’ve seen how a couple of men looked at her, and wanted to punch each one.Though I know she’s mine.Mine forever.A warm glow flows through me, spreading into my veins. Wh
“Maybe,” Maddox says, then clears his throat. “I hate to cut this short, but I have some phone calls I need to make soon.”“Oh, sure, no problem,” Dad says, then stands. We’ll leave you to it.”I hold the arms of the chair and am about to surge to my feet, when his gaze connects with mine and pins me to the spot.“I still have a question for you, Whitney,” Maddox says. “About the posting you’ll do later.”“Sure,” I say, and plop down on the chair again.Dad leaves and closes the door behind him.Quietly, Maddox stands and walks up to the door, and locks it. “You’re upset,” he says, picking a chair next to mine and sitting.I cross my legs, then uncross them and cross them again. “What? No,” I say in a hissy voice that betrays my words. I’m upset, and also embarrassed for being upset about him not acknowledging he’s seeing someone to my father. And maybe a tad jealous. What if Dad really tries to find him a date? My heart lurches. The idea of him with another woman gives me instant aci
“There you are,” my dad says, walking up to us, bursting that bubble.I withdraw as if I’ve been burned.“Hey, Dad,” I say in an extra chipper voice. “What’s up?”“Can we all meet at the conference room for a quick meeting? I have some news to share.”I have some too, I say inwardly.I slept with your best friend and can’t wait to do it again.A twinge of guilt twists at my heart, like the sharp end of a new blade. My dad doesn’t deserve to be hurt in all this, but would his hurt last? Besides the immediate surprise, would he really put up a long lasting fight against our relationship? I doubt it.Dad isn’t the typical father.He tends to be more open minded than most. Growing up, I always kept a channel of communication open with him. I confided in him about tiffs with friends, dates gone wrong, and when things started to happen for me as a digital influencer, he was my biggest cheerleader. He encouraged me and my dreams.The thoughts keep me busy as the three of us walk through the h