Page 64 of The Billionaire's Secret Heir

“By marriage. So, I’m not automatically Team VDK. I’d listen and give it to you straight.”

Madi felt a tug at her heart. Sander had sought her out to talk with her. Beckett was still playing with Becka, looking delighted. Selena had called her Aunt Madi. Courtney was willing to be an impartial friend. It all felt … overwhelming. Sander had gone out of his way to talk to her. Courtney was offering friendship. A small part of her wondered why Beckett was letting his family do this, while he held back.

Of course, that’s what she had asked him to do. She asked for space. But she hadn’t fully expected him to give it to her. More than anything, she felt desperate to have the conversation she had been avoiding since the night she had dinner at his house.

“Do you guys come over often?” Madi was desperate to turn the conversation.

Courtney smiled. There was an emotion behind it that Madi didn’t want to name. “We’ve never been invited before today.”

“Oh.” Understanding hung on Madi’s shoulders, the weight both guilt-inducing and pleasant. Beckett had never invited them before Madi and Becka came into his life. Just how much of an impact had they made on him? “Was there something special about today?”

“Beckett didn’t say, but I get the impression it’s part of a bigger plan to apologize and woo you back. I should apologize—I thought you knew about Sander’s stipulations. Beckett should have told you and I’m sure he wishes he had. But if I thought for one second that Beckett’s feelings had anything to do with the contract, I wouldn’t have said anything. Actually, that’s not true. I would have said a lot of things to Beckett.”

“I thought you said you weren’t Team Van de Kamp.” Madi gave her a quick smile.

Courtney laughed, her curls bouncing around her face. “Okay, yeah. Maybe I’m a bit biased. But you heard the part where I said I would have had words with Beckett if I thought he was using you? I want what’s best for him and for you. I just so happen to be of the opinion that the best thing is for you to be together. I mean, as I said, he has not one time invited us here. You may have only known him for a brief time, but he has come alive since meeting you and Becka. Look at him.”

Madi followed the sound of Becka’s laughter to see Beckett spitting water in a clean arc from his mouth, holding a pose like he was a statue in some fountain. Becka clapped and giggled, her whole face alight as she perched on the steps. Selena and Logan sat on either side, cheering Beckett on.

“I didn’t know he could be silly,” Courtney said. “Or let loose at all. I think Sander’s whole reasoning for what he did was because he saw how tightly wound Beckett was. It was a ridiculous thing, don’t get me wrong, but he did it because he loves Beckett and saw all that he was missing in his life. Now, I think I need to get on Graham about dinner. He’s sorely neglecting grilling duty and I think I’ve just about talked your ear off about Beckett.”

“I appreciate it, Courtney. Truly.”

“I’m glad. Especially after the way I put my foot in my mouth the other night. And I meant what I said—no matter what you decide about Beckett, you can talk to me. I’m here.”

As she ducked under the water, coming up behind Graham and splashing him, Beckett appeared next to Madi. Seeing him, she immediately started searching the water for Becka.

“She’s fine. Logan and Selena took her to the playground. I would never have taken my eyes off her in the pool.”

Madi saw the three children outside the pool area, climbing on the playground that Beckett had installed as a surprise right before they moved in. She wondered if Selena and Logan knew by now that Becka wasn’t really their cousin. If not, would they care? No one else seemed to, but treated Madi and Becka just the same as they had before.

With a hot flare of shame, Madi realized suddenly that she was the only one acting differently. Becka wasn’t her biological daughter, yet Madi loved her like one. Why was she being so hesitant about Beckett and his family treating Becka like she belonged?

“Thank you,” Madi said.

“Of course. I want her to be safe.”

Madi hesitated only a moment before she took Beckett’s hand. He looked surprised, but squeezed her fingers and gave her a curious smile. “My thank you was bigger than just that.” Madi blew out a breath. “I want to thank you for the way you have treated Becka with love and kindness. It’s like nothing has changed.”

Beckett’s expression became suddenly serious and he tugged her hand until both of his surrounded it, pressing firmly. “Nothing has changed. At least not as far as I’m concerned, and you can see that my family feels the same way. The only fear or hesitation I had when I found out that Becka isn’t my biological daughter is that you might pull away.”

Madi stared down at their joined hands. “Which I did.”

Beckett put a gentle hand on her jaw and tipped her chin up so that she looked at him. “You had other reasons for that. I’m so sorry that you found out about everything with my father like that. I should have told you myself and made sure that you understood that it did not dictate my feelings for you or for Becka. You had reason to doubt me. I’m so very sorry I ever gave you that reason.”

His blue eyes burned with intensity. How had she doubted his feelings for her? She had assumed the worst of him when she heard about his father’s stipulations. Yes, Beckett should have told her. But he had done so much to show her how he felt. Madi knew why, the verse Sander shared earlier still floating around her head: fear. She had been terrified all along of this being too good a thing. Hearing about the heir contract gave Madi’s fear an excuse to take over.

“Mommy!” Becka bounded over to where Beckett and Madi stood in the pool, leaning back against the edge.

Madi held out her arms just in time to catch Becka. “Hey, big girl. You want to do more swimming?”

Becka began wriggling in Madi’s arms, reaching for Beckett. “Swim with It!”

Madi laughed and gave Beckett a smile. “Well, I guess I’m getting passed over again.”

“Don’t take it personally. I mean, I am a lot more fun in the water,” Beckett teased, taking Becka from her. “What next, Becka? Want me to take you for a ride to the deep end?”

“Ride! Ride!”

---