I pulled into the driveway and began unloading the groceries. Having Blithe out from underneath my feet gave me the ability to get some things done that I needed to get done today, like grocery shopping and a much-needed trip to the doctor.
I knew my hair loss was because of all the stress we had been under these past couple of months. Kent having a stroke almost broke this family. I could still remember Zach’s eyes, how wide they were with fear as his entire body shook next to mine in bed.
I was just glad Kent had agreed to come stay in his condo in Brookings so we could watch over him.
I wasn’t sure how long Zach and Blithe would be gone, but I decided to make dinner anyway. I tried to center my mind after the long day I’d had, but I wasn’t sure how I was going to tell Zach. The doctor’s appointment about my hair had been eye-opening, to say the least, but I wasn’t sure how he was going to react.
I cooked up everything in a pan before I threw in the noodles. I loved all these one-pan noodle recipes I was finding online. I kept my eye on the clock as it quickly approach five in the afternoon. I was about to reach for my cell phone when I heard the front door unlock.
“Paige! Paige! Guess what?”
“I hear a Blithe!” I said, smiling.
“Grandpa’s doing a lot better,” she said.
“He is?” I asked as I looked up at Zach. “What’s going on?”
“He’s getting up out of chairs without his walker and hasn’t needed help eating at all today,” he said.
“Oh my gosh, that’s fantastic!” I threw my arms around his neck and giggled into his skin. “When did that start happening? I just saw him yesterday.”
“All new developments as of this morning,” Zach said. “It’s still early, and he might revert back tomorrow, but for now? It’s a good sign.”
“Good, good. Did you, um, have a good talk with him?”
Zach grinned at me as Blithe climbed into her seat at the table.
“Why don’t we talk about the good news over dinner?” he asked.
I squealed and clapped my hands as a rush of relief washed over my body. Good news meant he talked to his father about the house, and if it was good news, it meant we were about to go house-hunting.
Which meant my news might not be so bad after all.
“Want me to set the table?” Zach asked.
“If you could, and I’ll get the drinks,” I said.
“Grandpa and I watched a movie,” Blithe said.
“Ah, so that’s why it took so long,” I said as I winked at Zach.
“Aren’t you gonna ask what we watched?”
“What did you guys watch?”
“Snow White,” Blithe said, smiling.
“Again? I bet that man knows that movie by heart now.”
“He does,” Blithe said.
I giggled and shook my head as the three of us sat down to eat. I spooned some food onto Blithe’s plate, and she ate it quickly, slurping down the noodles and laughing when they hit her nose
“Slow down,” Zach said. “You’ll get a stomach ache if you don’t.”
“But it’s so good,” Blithe said
“I’ll take that as a compliment,” I said.
“So, about the conversation with my father,” he said.
“Oh! Yes. Tell me all about it.”
“It didn’t quite go as planned,” he said.
I felt my stomach drop to my toes as I stared at him from across the table. “But I thought you said it was good news?”
“It is, but you have to promise to wait until I’m done before you interrupt me.”
“Fine,” I said. “Continue.”
“My father doesn’t want to go back to work.”
I opened my mouth to speak, but I shut it quickly when Zach shot me a look.
“He’s tired. He’s convinced the stress of work is what caused his stroke.”
“What’s a stroke?” Blithe asked.
“It’s what Grandpa’s sick with, sweetheart,” I said.
“Is that why he smiles funny now?” she asked.
“It is,” I said.
“I told him about work,” Zach said. “About how they wouldn’t give me extra hours. He asked about your artwork, and I was truthful with him. I told him all about our financial situation.”
“You did?” I asked in shock.
“He said he couldn’t help me if I wasn’t honest with him, so I went out on a limb, I guess.”
“So, how did he react?”
“I could tell it hurt him that I didn’t come to him sooner. He started calling himself a bad father, and I finally got him to admit out loud that he was a good father now.”
“That sounds like a nice moment,” I said, smiling.
“It was. It was a moment I think the both of us needed. So, his plan is to stay in Brookings in the condo that overlooks the ocean. I think he’s gonna keep Miss Pinkett around.”
“I still think she’s more than just his nurse,” I said.
“Don’t worry,” Zach said, chuckling. “You’re not the only one. He says he doesn’t want to waste the time he has left. He wants to recuperate by the ocean and be as healthy as he can for his family.”
“That’s admirable, but if he’s not going back to work, who’s gonna run Kent Enterprises?” I asked.
I watched as a grin slowly crawled across Zach’s face.
“Shut up,” I said.
“He offered the position to me.”
“Shut. Up!”
“He told me he would admit he was a good father if I took over Kent Enterprises and his house.”
“Wait, what?” I asked.
“Yep. He offered me a chance to take over the company and to take over ownership of his home in Seattle. Plus, I can have the rest of my inheritance too, of course. Which he’s been trying to give me this whole time.”
“You’re messing with me,” I said.
“Not one bit.”
“Where are the cameras?” I asked.
He took my hand. “Paige, I’m serious.”
I was in absolute shock. Zach running Kent Enterprises? Our family living in that massive mansion of his? There had to be a catch.
“There’s no catch,” Zach said. “I can see that question running through your eyes.”
“There has to be,” I said breathlessly. “That’s too much.”
“Do you trust me?”
I swallowed deeply before I nodded my head.
“Then trust me when I tell you that there are no strings attached. This is real, and this is happening.”
“When?” I asked. “When in the world is this all taking place?”
“I get to live in my playroom?” Blithe asked.
“If you want your bedroom to be the playroom, then that’s where your bedroom will be,” Zach said, grinning.
“Yay! I get a slide in my room!”
I giggled and shook my head as tears of relief rose to my eyes.
“My father was on the phone with people when I left. He said he was going to organize movers to get his stuff and bring it down to him. Then him and Miss Pinkett will sort through everything together.”
“Uh huh, I’m sure,” I said, grinning.
“He said once he got his stuff out, the place would be free for us to move in. By the end of the week, I’ll be the new head and majority stockholder of Kent Enterprises.”
“We’ve got a week to do this?” I asked.
“Just calm down. It’s okay. I still have to get everything set up with payroll and H.R. You know, fill out the W-2 forms and stuff like that.”
“I guess even the top of the food chain isn’t immune to paperwork,” I said.
“Blithe will be in a wonderful school system. She’ll make new friends and have her choice of afterschool activities. You’ll get all the sauna time you want, and we’ll convert one of the rooms in the house into your art studio. We’ll have the door installed with its own lock and key so Blithe stays out of it. It’ll be all yours.”
I felt tears cresting my eyes as I pulled his hand to my lips to kiss.
“I can’t believe this is happening,” I said breathlessly.
“Well, believe it. Everything we were worrying about is fixed. We’ll have a home big enough for however many children we want. I’ll have a paycheck worthy of the work I put into a company, and Blithe will have the best education the West Coast can give her.”
“Speaking of children,” I said. “I have something to tell you.”
I watched Zach’s brow tick with curiosity as he gripped my hand tightly. “What’s going on?”
“I went to the doctor today. You know, to see about why my hair was falling out.”
“I thought you said it was stress.”
“I figured it was. But I was reading online about some things and got paranoid. Hair loss can be indicative of many things. Hormonal imbaCadens and thyroid conditions. All of which affect a woman’s ability to get pregnant.”
“What did the doctor say, Paige? Are you okay?”
“I’m more than okay. Zach, I’m pregnant.”
Zach got up from the table and walked to me. He took my hands within his and pulled me up from my seat. Suddenly, his arms were around me, pulling me into him as his lips crashed down onto mine. Blithe was squealing and clapping her hands in her chair as I melted into his body, and tears rushed down my cheeks as he cradled me close.
“We’re going to have a baby,” he whispered.
“Yes, we are,” I said, smiling.
“Paige?” Blithe asked.
“Yes, sweetheart?”
I turned my gaze and found that Blithe was crying. “Sweetheart, what’s the matter?”
“I just, um, well, with the baby. Will…”
I wiped the tears off her cheeks with my thumb as Zach wrapped his arm around her.
“What is it, princess?” Zach asked. “Do you not want to be a big sister?”
“I do! I really do. I promise. I just… won’t the baby call you Mommy?”
I nodded my head as I swiped my thumb across her cheek. “It will, yes.”
“But I can’t call you Mommy.”
“Who said that?” I asked.
“Well, no one, I guess,” Blithe said.
“Do you want to call Paige Mommy?” Zach asked. “You’re going to be adopted soon, which means she will be your mother.”
I watched Blithe nod, and I wrapped my arms around her little frame. I pulled her warm body into mine as her arms wrapped around my neck. I picked her up as Zach moved behind me, his hand pressing into the small of my back as he kissed Blithe’s forehead.
“Could I call you Mommy, Paige?”
Her question filled my chest with warmth as a smile crossed my face. “Yes, you can, sweetheart. Of course, you can.”
“Mommy, will you love your baby more than me?”
My heart burst and broke at the same time as I looked into Blithe’s scared little eyes.
“I’m going to say this, and I want you to listen, okay?” I asked.
“Okay,” she said.
“My blood might not run through your veins, but that doesn’t mean you’re not my child. You might not have come from my tummy, but that doesn’t mean I don’t love you. This baby that is going to grow in my body, it might be my first baby. But it is not my first child. You are my first child. Even before the adoption is finalized, I feel that way in my heart. I will love you just as much as I love this baby, but you will always be my first.”
I felt Zach’s hand press deeply into my back as Blithe buried her face into my neck.
“I love you, Mommy.”
“I love you, too, sweetheart.”
“And I love you both,” Zach said.
My husband was now a true billionaire. But he would always be my rugged, handsome mountain man.
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Chapter 1
I stepped off the plane at Miami International Airport and shuffled along with the other passengers toward the baggage carousel. It was the first time I had left Colorado. I had grown up in Fort Collins and had been all over Colorado, but I had never left the state.
And I was excited. I came all the way to Miami to visit Carly Donovan, my best friend. She had moved out to Miami a couple of months ago to be with Brad Williams, her long-lost lover. I was happy for her that she’d found love again but since she moved away and left me behind, I’d been miserable.
Carly and I had studied together. We started out as roommates during our first year, and we’d become such great friends that we bunked together ever since. When Carly had transferred her MBA studies to online classes instead of attending her post-graduate studies with me, I decided I had to convince her to come back.
And that was why I was here.
But it wasn’t only that. I wanted to see my friend again and to finally meet the man who’d managed to steal her away from me.
When I collected my bags from the carousel, I walked through to the receiving area, and Carly waved at me, her hands flying in the air. I hurried to her, and we threw our arms around each other. It had only been a few months, but I had missed her so much.
“God, it’s so good to see you!” Carly cried. “I can’t wait to show you around.”
We walked arm in arm to the parking lot, and I loaded my bags into the back. When we pulled out of the airport and headed toward North Beach, Carly started talking.
“You have to see the place we have now. Brad bought a beach house for the two of us. He said his condo was a bachelor pad. So, you have the spare bedroom with a bathroom all to yourself.”
“That’s great, Carly,” I said, and I meant it. I missed her, and I hated that she wasn’t with me at Colorado State anymore, but I was happy she’d found the love of her life, and she was creating a future for herself. Maybe it was selfish of me to ask her to come back with me.
Miami was beautiful. It was hot and humid with the skies clear and bright. I got a view of the city when we drove through town. The buildings were tall and shimmering, and as we headed out toward North Beach, the scenery changed from city vibes to beach vibes. I loved it. I hadn’t been to the coast because I’d never left Colorado, and it was an experience to be out here where even the air tasted salty.
“We have so much to catch up on,” Carly said. “You have to fill me in on your love life. I know you’ll never tell me anything about that on the phone, you’re so tightlipped.”
I shrugged. “You can complain all you want. But I don’t like talking about it on the phone. Besides, there’s not much to tell.”
Carly chuckled. “I’ll be the judge of that. You tell me everything, and I’ll decide how significant it is.”
I laughed. This was the Carly I knew and loved, the friend who always got into my business.
“I’d rather you tell me about you and your love life. I think that’s way more interesting,” I said.
Carly smiled, looking downright blissful. “Brad is such a sweetheart,” she said. “And his friends are amazing. I guess they’re my friends now, too. Especially their wives. They’re all used to fast-paced lives and a lot of money, and I thought I wouldn’t fit in, but they made me a part of their circle.”
“Your life sounds like a television show,” I said.
“It really does,” Carly agreed. “And I love it.”
We crossed the bridge to North Beach. The houses were decidedly bigger, and when we drove down a road that ran parallel to the beach, there were restaurants and hotels scattered all over the place as if someone had dropped a handful of them and the tourists rejoiced.
“This is so picturesque,” I said. “It looks like a postcard.”
“I’m sure it’s where the postcard photos are taken,” Carly said. “And Brad is home, so you’ll get to meet him.”
I had heard a lot about Brad. When I had met Carly, she had only just broken up with him and things had been horrible for her. She hadn’t wanted to look at another man, and her studies had been rocky as well. It had been a bad start for her. Slowly, she had gotten over the guy and moved on, and the two of us had set out as two single women, Carly with her healing heart and mine with my unrequited love story. When Carly and Brad got together again, I felt like she’d abandoned me, despite how happy I was for her.
But I had never met Brad. I’d seen him on TV a lot of times, but this was the first time I’d meet him face to face.
And I was nervous. Of course, he was nothing more than a guy, but he had been built up by the media so much, I felt like I might be meeting a god. It was strange to think I was headed into the inner circle of the rich and famous and that the person to get me there was my best friend. Two years ago, I would never have imagined this was where we would end up. Of course, when Carly and Brad had first broken up, he’d been a regular guy. It was during his break that he’d become famous.
“Can you believe this is where we’re at now?” I asked. “I’m not only talking about being here in Miami together, driving to your famous boyfriend’s beach house, but as people too.”
Carly shook her head. “It’s crazy.”
When I mentioned I was nervous to meet Brad, Carly shook her head.
“Don’t be nervous. Brad is awesome, and he didn’t let the fame go to his head. He’s a great guy, and he’ll accept you with open arms because you’re my girl. You’re important to me, so by default, you’re important to him.”
I liked the way that sounded.
We pulled into the driveway of a huge house, and I leaned toward the window, whistling.
“I can’t believe you live here,” I said.
Carly chuckled. “Better believe it. It’s a dream come true.”
The front door opened, and a big guy came out. He carried himself the way an athlete did, with a fluid gate and a smile that was camera-ready.
“You must be Hailey,” Brad said. I held out my hand, but he pulled me into a hug, talking about being part of the family. Carly watched us, smiling proudly.
“Hey, babe,” Brad said, kissing Carly after he greeted me. “How was traffic?”
“Fine,” Carly said. “Will you grab the bags? I want to show Hailey to her room.”
Brad nodded and followed us into the house with my bags. When he put them down in the room that was to be mine for the duration of my stay, he kissed Carly again.
“I’m off to the training center,” he said. “I want to watch the second-stringers train.”
“Be back for supper,” Carly said, and I greeted Brad before he left. When he was gone, I turned to the room. It was a large room decorated in creams and beiges with light wood finishes. Hidden lights illuminated the room and a door led to a bathroom that was twice the size of any dorm room we had ever had, complete with a jet bathtub.
“I can’t believe this is where I’m staying,” I said. “It’s better than the Ritz!”
Carly laughed. “I should hope so. Brad paid a lot for the place.”
I walked to the bed and checked my phone in my bag, texting my mom that I had arrived safely. I only saw her on weekends, but she worried.
“How about you get settled, and we’ll have drinks on the back porch when you’re done?” Carly asked. “I have to make a few calls.”
I nodded, and Carly disappeared into the house that I had yet to explore. I turned to my bags and unpacked my clothes into the closet space that had been emptied for me. I loved being here, loved the luxury and the comfort and seeing Carly again.
When I was done, I walked through the house, exploring as I went along. The house was large with a U-shaped layout, and all the rooms were decorated with modern paintings and minimalistic furniture. I wandered around until I found Carly in an office. She hung up the phone as I walked in.
“You found me,” she said.
“I went on a tour through the house in the process, but yeah. It’s an amazing place. Did you do the decoration yourself?”
Carly laughed. “God, no. I don’t have this much skill, although I do seem to have good taste.” She winked. “Brad paid an interior designer. I have to say the woman listened when I said what I liked, and she delivered.”
“She did. This place is so you. But I can see how it would suit Brad too. It’s classy.”
“Thank you,” Carly said. “Let’s sit outside.”
The beach house had a back porch that ran out onto the beach itself, and when Carly and I sipped cocktails she produced from a bar, we sat with the waves crashing right in front of us.
“So, love life,” Carly said. “Have you popped that cherry yet?”
“God, be blasé about my virginity, will you?” I said, rolling my eyes.
“Sorry,” Carly said. “But you’ve been telling me how tired you are of a label that doesn’t define you.”
She was right. I had been telling her that. I was still a virgin, even though I’d done a lot of other things with men, from fingering to oral and back. But I hadn’t ever given up my virginity because the men had never been worth it. Call me old-fashioned, but I wanted to lose it to someone who cared about more than just the size of my breasts.
“You know how I feel about it,” I said to Carly. “I’m tired of being seen as the ‘good girl,’ but I’m not going to walk that road for the sake of losing my virginity.”
“Well, who knows?” Carly said. “Maybe Miami will take your virtue.”
I rolled my eyes, and Carly laughed.
“So, what call did you have to make? You’re only studying, right? You’re not working too?”
“Oh, no,” Carly said. “I was calling the girls, the football wives, about a dinner we’re hosting on Saturday. I forgot to tell you about it. Brad invited all his football friends and their wives, and we’re going to make a thing of it.”
“Here?” I asked.
Carly nodded. “It’s great fun. I get a caterer so I don’t have to cook, and the night is all about building and maintaining our friendships. We try to do it once a month at someone’s home, and we rotate it. We’re about five couples who do it regularly. It’s important to keep in touch and talk about other things than football. The men can get so sucked in.”
“It sounds like a great idea,” I said. “But do you think I’ll fit in with one of your dinners? I’m not exactly a part of any of the groups.”
“Of course, you will,” Carly said, waving her hand. “You’re part of my group. And the girls are all so great. You’ll see how they make an effort to draw you in. It’s thanks to them that I settled in here so quickly. They really go out of their way. And when the men are gone to play out of state, we support each other because we know what we’re all going through.”
It sounded great, I had to admit. It sounded like something Carly might not want to leave behind. But I wouldn’t focus on that yet. First, the dinner party was coming up, and as nerve-racking as it was to spend time with a bunch of strangers, Carly’s excitement was contagious.