Chapter 21
Whitt
Gemma showed up at our house around four, and she and Lila had spent hours upstairs getting dressed up for the gala. I was just about to button my shirt when my daughter stormed into my bedroom.
“Daddy, can you get this zipper up?” Lila was panicked as she ran in, her hair perfectly arranged in an up-do that wrapped her head like a crown and flawless makeup.
Gemma was behind her carrying their shoes. “I couldn’t get it. I don’t understand, you had the dress fitted, and it was just perfect a week ago.”
“I’m a cow!” Lila frowned. I spun her around and tugged up the delicate zipper which finally went up.
Lila exhaled. “That’ll do. At least I can breathe.” I could tell that she was really bothered. She had never been heavy a day in her life, though she had always carried a bit more weight than Gemma, but her natural curves were beautiful, and if she had gained anything, she hit it well.
“You look beautiful, darling.” I kissed Lila’s cheek and turned to Gemma. “You both do.” She looked away about the time Dax rang the front doorbell. Gemma went down to greet him as the housekeeper let him in and I went after them wanting to see his reaction and if he was worthy.
“Daddy?” Lila came running after me, and I stopped and turned to see what she wanted. She hesitated.
“What is it, sweetheart?” I wondered if she and Daniel were having problems, but she shook her head and smiled.
“Nothing, Daddy. I just hope we can spend some time talking later.” I gave her a kiss on the cheek and took her arm, and we went down to join our best friends.
“You look absolutely beautiful, Gemma,” said Dax, as he crossed the room and took her hand. “Wow, I’ll win the hottest date award for sure.”
I had to agree. Gemma was absolutely glowing. Her hair had been swept up into a chignon, and her face was so flush that the natural stain of her cheeks shone brighter and the pale dusting of freckles was visible. Her eyes were wide and alert, and she had a nervous smile for Dax. I wanted to rush in and push him aside and take her hand, and in my mind, I could hear her saying she wished she were my date.
“I’ll just be a moment.” I stepped back into my room and finished buttoning my shirt and fixed my tie, then I grabbed my coat and pulled it on, straightening the cuffs. I was stalling. I didn’t want to go back down and see her with him. I didn’t want to go to the gala and pretend that I was okay with it all. She was mine, and I couldn’t help but want her.
“Daddy?” Lila’s voice called from the stairs.
“I’ll be right down.” I took a deep breath and decided it was time to man up, and I stuck out my chest and turned and went downstairs. Lila was waiting, and she took my hand and locked her arm around mine.
“Hey, Dax, look; I’ve got the most-handsome date,” she said proudly.
“I don’t think Gemma did too bad for herself.” The two chuckled as we approached the limo, and Dax stepped aside to the let the ladies climb in first. I was next, and I deliberately positioned myself across from Gemma so I could take in the view.
We made small talk all the way there, and I could tell that something wasn’t right with Gemma. Lila was extra quiet as well, but I had a feeling it was for a different reason.
I hoped she’d be settling in at home soon and perhaps finding a career, but that was wishful thinking. I had to accept that she was growing up and not my little girl anymore. Seeing her with Gemma showed me how much they’d both changed over the years. The two used to cover their mouths and whisper and give each other sideward glances and roll their eyes when I’d talk, but now they were poised with grace and maturity.
When it was time to get out of the car, Gemma stumbled, and Dax was there with a helping hand and a strong arm to hold her up. “I’m so sorry. I caught my dress.”
“Don’t apologize for that. I couldn’t walk in those heels.” Dax belted a laugh and Gemma smiled, a bit of blush staining her already rosy cheeks.
Inside the event, the room was decorated in white and gold and there was a canopy of white branches over the dance floor.
Lila’s jaw dropped. “It’s so gorgeous.” She placed her hand on Dax’s arm and leaned in. “I want the name of the decorator. This is what I want for my wedding.”
“Wedding?” My tone was a bit sharper than I had intended and Lila turned her head and gave me a tired look.
“One day, Daddy, I will be married, and it might not be long off.” She put her chin down, and I took it between my fingers and lifted her to meet my eyes.
“I’m aware. Let’s not argue about it tonight.” I gave her my best charming smile and offered my hand. “I’d like to dance with my baby girl.” As soon as the words left my lips, I glanced to Gemma who blushed and looked away. I had a feeling the blush on her cheeks wasn’t the only thing that had heated.
My cock twitched remembering how I’d called her that. Lila took my hand and pulled me onto the dance floor before it could get any weirder.
I looked up and caught Dax and Gemma, swaying with one another and his hand resting on her ass really put me in a bad mood.
Dax had sworn to me that they hadn’t messed around, but I didn’t trust him very much. He knew I didn’t approve of him and her. But then, as Gemma looked at me, I knew she still only had eyes for me.
The music stopped, and she stepped away to go to the powder room, and my eyes followed her all the way while Lila dragged me off to the opposite side of the room and found our table. Dax stood talking to one of the other guests. And I flagged down a waiter who brought a selection of drinks. I grabbed one and turned it up, and Lila waved the man away.
“You don’t have to pass on the wine. I’m not going to ground you for drinking.”
“I just don’t feel like drinking,” she snapped.
“Hard to believe my little girl, who came in stinking drunk on her sixteenth birthday, doesn’t want to throw a couple back with her old man.” I was teasing, but she gave a half-hearted smile and glanced down to her shoes.
I looked up to see Gemma approaching. “Lila, may I borrow your father? He owes me a dance.”
Lila sighed with relief. “Of course. Have fun you two. I’m going to step away and call Daniel.” She hurried off before I could say anything disapproving and Gemma pulled me out to the dancefloor and put her arms around my waist.
“Did you tell Dax where you were going?” I glanced off to my friend who looked up and gave me a sly smile. Then he held up two fingers and pointed them to his eyes and then to mine. Yeah, I was watching you too, buddy. I looked down, and Gemma was tearing up.
“I have something to tell you, Whitt.” She tucked her chin and rested her forehead on my chest.
“Gemma, it’s okay.” I was suddenly on alert, and my blood began to boil. Something had happened. Dax had done something inappropriate. “Did something happen? Is it Dax?”
“No,” she looked up and wiped a tear before it could make an appearance and trail down her cheek. “It’s so much worse. You’re going to hate me.”
I stiffened and turned my head. I looked to the far side of the room and stopped dancing. “I don’t want to know, Gemma. If you’re fucking him, you can keep it to yourself.” I glared down into her eyes as she shook her head. “It’s not my business.” I was ready to tear the place apart, to punch Dax in his pretty-boy face.
“What? No, Whitt. I haven’t—there’s nothing between him and me. I’m going to—I’m pregnant!” She glared at the floor as I stepped back.
“That’s not funny, Gemma. It’s not something you say to keep me.” I thought about the way she’d been sick, on her knees and heaving into the toilet. Morning sickness.
“I wouldn’t do that to you or to Lila. I love you both too much.” She stepped forward, closing the distance and fighting tears. “I took tests.”
“Maybe they are wrong?” I knew better. False positives were rare. It was false negatives that you had to be leery of.
“I did three. Yesterday.” She was scared to death. I felt like such an asshole.
I wanted to pull her close, but Lila was headed our way. “I need a minute.” I tore myself away and hauled ass to the balcony across the room, where another waiter smiled as I took two shots off his load.
I threw them back as Dax came after me. “Whoa, man. I didn’t know you were such a party animal. Are you trying to keep up with Lila?” He’d known about my daughter’s infamous drinking episodes, but I wasn’t in the mood.
“You’ll excuse me if I don’t want a walk down memory lane.” I closed my eyes seeing Gemma and Lila by the pool, their lives flashing before my eyes. What had I done?
“That Gemma is smoking tonight, man. I wanted to get you alone, you know, to ask if it’s okay if I take things to the next level. I know you’re like practically a dad to her and—
“Stay away from her, Dax. You and I both know you don’t want more than a piece of ass.”
“If she’s down, then what does it matter? She might only want the same.” I was going to have to tell him before he said something that made me hurt him.
“It matters because I lied to you, Dax. I slept with her; several times; at work. We didn’t want Lila to know.”
“Or me, apparently. Guess it’s a good thing I didn’t fall for her or anything, right. But you didn’t even think of that, did you?” He raked his hand through his hair and wiped the sweat from his brow.
“Are you in love with her?” I looked into my best friend’s eyes, and he shrugged.
“No. Not even close. I just think she’s hot and fun and I wanted to nail her.”
“I was afraid you already did.” I let out a long breath and said a silent thank you.
“No. She’s been turning me down. You’d think she was an expert.”
“Well, she has had a lot of experience with rejections.” I thought of all those years she’d saved herself for me.
“Do you love her?” Dax narrowed his eyes. “And what about Lila?”
“I do, and I have no idea. But that’s not the biggest problem, my friend.” I clapped a hand on his shoulder and stared at the floor. “She just told me that she’s pregnant.”
“No fucking way. Gemma’s pregnant?” He looked across the room, and Gemma’s face turned red, and she wiped her eyes. “That explains her glowing look and those sweet tits. I knew they looked perkier than usual.”
“Shut your fucking mouth, man. That’s the mother of my child.” I closed my eyes and thought about what I’d just said. Gemma was going to have my baby and Lila’s brother or sister. And I’d just left her there alone not minutes after telling me.
I had to go to her.
I hurried across the room to her, but she walked past me to get to Dax who was behind me. “Please, take me home.”