Page 100 of The Billionaire's Wife

“Well. We never talked about kids. Not back in high school, at least.”

I slowed further and turned into one of the parking lots for the mansion. There were already several cars parked—eager tourists determined to get a head start on the day. Or locals with the same plan we had. George Washington was a draw any time of year, for practically any reason.

I eased the car into an empty spot and parked. “I’ve always wanted them.”

“Okay.”

Okay? That was not as encouraging an answer as I’d hoped. “It doesn’t have to be tomorrow though. Do you want kids?”

Faith winced. “Would you believe I haven’t really thought about it? With Megan expecting. And Kayla. Last night, there was a lot of baby talk interspersed in there. Sunny took it all in stride, though she made a few jokes about her age. But honestly, she could probably still have one or two if she wanted. Whitney just kind of hung back, which from what Megan’s told me made sense. But Megan didn’t say, and I didn’t know how to ask, why they don’t adopt.”

I pushed open my car door and climbed out. Faith got out of her side and joined me as we started toward the entrance. She reached out and took my hand.

I glanced down at our interlaced fingers and smiled. “I don’t know. I haven’t wanted to push. Scott doesn’t offer much information. I figure something like that is private.”

“Of course. Sorry. You know I like to have details.”

I brushed a kiss to the top of her head. “It’s not a bad thing.”

We walked across the lot and around to the arched entryway that led to the low-slung brick building where we could purchase tickets. I paid our fees, including snagging two spots on a house tour in about an hour, and we went through into the museum, greeted as all visitors were by a bronze statue of George and Martha. Their hands and noses had been touched and rubbed by so many patrons that they sparkled brightly against the patina of the rest of the sculpture.

Faith dragged me over to stand beside them, then tugged her cell phone free and angled it out in front of us. “Smile.”

I laughed and looked into the camera. She’d framed us perfectly with the Washingtons. She took the picture and adjusted the angle for another. At the last second, I shifted and lowered my mouth to hers.

She nudged me in the ribs.

“What? I figure if we’re taking selfies now, they ought to be good ones.”

She tapped the camera app and pulled up the photo of us kissing.

I nodded. “See? It’s perfect.”

“I’m not going to argue.” Faith turned off her phone and put it back in her pocket. “Come on. Let’s go soak up some history.”

26

FAITH

“Someone’s happy.” Megan leaned against the checkout counter and beamed at me. “It’s nice to see you can smile for more than three seconds at a time. You had a good weekend, I assume?”

My grin widened and I nodded. “I did. We did. We went to Mount Vernon on Saturday.”

“Oh yeah, George and Martha always leave me giddy.” Sarcasm dripped off Megan’s words and she propped an elbow on the counter and leaned closer. “You don’t have to tell me, but I can’t promise not to be hurt if you don’t.”

I laughed. “Subtle.”

“Never claimed to be.” Megan’s gaze drifted over to the café in the back corner of the bookstore. There were a handful of people sitting with drinks reading or chatting. “Why didn’t I do that sooner?”

“Fear of change?” I fought the urge to hunch my shoulders under the glare she shot my way. “What? I make a lot of decisions based on a fear of change. Or I did. I’m going to stop. Looks like you are, too.”

“You know what? You’re right. I am. We are. This was good. And even if it doesn’t work out long term, I’m glad that I took the chance.”

I sifted through the words, then nodded. “Exactly. Although I’m banking on long term.”

“I get the feeling you’re talking about Tristan and not coffee.”

“Guilty.” I sighed happily. “After Friday night, when everyone was so mean to me—”

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