Page 20 of Secret Santa

“Why not?” He lifted his brows in question.

“Because you have a meeting.”

“I’ll reschedule,” he said, shrugging. “You’re more important.” My heart warmed and I couldn’t help the shy smile that teased my lips. “Are you done fighting with me?”

“I wasn’t fighting,” I pouted, and he laughed.

“I’m trying to meet you halfway here,” he said, his fingers tightening around my leg. “The only way I’m letting you leave is if you come home with me and agree you’re not working tomorrow.” I sighed, then rested my head on his shoulder again.

“Fine,” I finally muttered, and he let out a small chuckle.

“Please, don’t get too excited.” He pressed his lips to the top of my head. Before I could react, he stood. “I’ll grab a nurse and tell them you’re ready.” His face and neck were red, and if I didn’t know better, I’d think he was nervous.

It was cute, Aiden Rhodes nervous.

Without another word, he left the room. For the first time tonight, I was left on my own, finally able to fully process what was happening. I was with Aiden. Like…with him. We were together. He was mine. I was his.

I didn’t fully know what that meant. Was he my boyfriend? Would it show my age if I asked? I didn’t want him to think I was immature, but I wanted to know what he was thinking.

Tomorrow, I’d have the time to ask him. That is, if I could muster up the courage.

* * *

Pulling into the driveway, I felt him glance at me again. I’d been mostly silent the whole drive, trying to wrap my head around everything that had happened. I had a million missed texts from Bridget asking what the hell was going on, and a few missed calls from Mom. Unsurprisingly, she left voicemails to let me know how upset and hurt she was.

“My housekeeper’s husband cooked us dinner,” Aiden said as he shifted the car to park. “They wanted to make sure you had a home cooked meal.” I stared out the window at the massive house, my hands gripped tightly in my lap.

What the fuck was I doing here?

After he found out about my upbringing, how poor I’d been my entire life, he wouldn’t want me, not when this was his house. He had more money than I’d probably ever see in my lifetime, and he wanted me? It didn’t make sense.

It was huge, two stories with white stone pillars in the front, dark red brick with vines growing along one side. The lawn was perfect, the flowerbeds full and lively, and everything, every single thing, about this place screamed money.

“You have a housekeeper?” I asked, my voice cracking even though I hadn’t meant for it to.

“Hannah,” he said affectionately. “She’s worked for me for years. Her husband runs a catering business, and I use him for all my events, but he usually cooks me dinner a few times a week too. They just had another son, and he’s the sweetest baby I’ve ever met.” My throat tightened. I wasn’t cut out for this world—his world. “This was her first week back at work after maternity leave. She wanted to be nosey and meet you, but I made her go home.” He laughed awkwardly, but I couldn’t.

“She doesn’t mind working for you instead of being home with her kids?” I turned to look at him, and his brows pinched tightly together.

“I don’t know what you’re asking me,” he said slowly. “I pay her well, if that’s what you’re worried about. I don’t know their finances, but I don’t think it’s my business if she chooses to be a working mother or not.”

“That’s not what I meant,” I sighed. “It’s just…” I looked back at the house, tears pricking my eyes.

How often had I driven past a house like this and hated the people inside? Hated that they had enough money to buy the name brand cereal, or the clothes they wanted? They didn’t have to wear hand-me-downs from their sisters and pretend like they didn’t care. They had mothers who loved them and didn’t get bullied at school for living in a trailer park. Why had he been given this life while I was given mine?

“Your house is so big, and they’re probably struggling to make ends meet—”

“They’re not,” he said, cutting me off. I turned to look at him again, his brows still pulled tightly together. “I make sure she’s paid well, and if I ever find out any of my employees are struggling for money, I do everything I can to help them. I’ve paid off student loan debt and medical bills for several people, and for Hannah specifically, I gave her a year’s paid maternity leave. I take care of my own, Danica. I don’t just take and give nothing back. They’re like family.”

“Sorry.” Finally, a tear escaped. I looked out the window again, and another tear slipped from my eye. I wiped at my face, feeling ridiculous.

“What is it?” He shifted toward me. “Is it the house? Do you think it’s ugly? I’ll have it painted, or I can buy a new one. One you like.” I glanced at him with my eyes wide, and he winked. It lightened some of the heaviness in my chest.

“It’s beautiful,” I sighed. “I’ve never been in a house this nice before.” I looked around the car and ran my hand along the smooth leather. “I’ve never been in a car this expensive.”

He was silent. He just stared at me, and I felt like an animal at the zoo. Then he cleared his throat and rested his hand on my thigh.

“Would you like to go inside?” He stroked his thumb back and forth. I looked at him again, and my breath caught. His eyes, usually so blue and bright, were shadowed in the dark garage.