Page 42 of Baby for My Billionaire Rival

“Uh –” Jake looks at me for help but I’m at a loss. “I’m a friend of Caroline’s. I was just…” He swallows. “Doing her a favor.”

I feel like the biggest jerk in the world for taking those flowers and making him buy into my lie.

Gram smiles. “That was very kind of you…?”

“Jake.”

“Jake. You go to school with Caroline?”

He nods. “I do.”

“Well, that’s wonderful. Why don’t you join us for some tea upstairs?”

Jake looks at me with wide eyes.

“No, I think Jake probably has some business to take care of. You know, he has a family business too and –”

Gram silences me with the cut of her hand through the air. “Nonsense. All the more reason that he needs a moment of respite. Tea. Upstairs.” She turns without another word, climbing the steps with the bundle of flowers in her arms.

Jake and I stare at each other for a long moment. “I get the feeling that if I leave now your Gram might put a hit out on me.”

“Yes, you’d be right about that,” I grimace. “Sorry about… well, everything. Come on in.” I hold the door open for him which earns me a polite country boy nod that makes my legs weak.Hard not to remember just yesterday he was undoing me with his fingers underneath the back staircase of Trilby.

We head upstairs and are immediately greeted by Jude who is smiling like the cat who ate the canary. “I’ve heard about you! Jake, right?”

I glare at her over Jake’s shoulder.

“Yes, you got that right. You’re Jude, I take it? I’ve heard about you too.”

She clutches her heart like it’s the biggest honor in the world. “Good things, I hope.”

Jake grins. “Very good.”

Chase comes up next, sizing Jake up in his big brother way. I want to incinerate myself. They shake hands and exchange words in a gentlemanly sort of way before Gram waves Jake over to take a seat. He gives me a timid smile as he follows her instruction and I just know that I am in for a very long afternoon.

“I’ve always wondered why goats have pupils like that,” Jude says, leaning forward with her near-empty teacup in her hands. “You know, like rectangular shaped almost.”

Jake smiles at Jude. “Slit-type pupil is the technical name.” He’s been holding court this whole time, fielding questions about his business and life as if this is an interview. Or like I’m bringing him home to meet my family for the first time. “Since goats are prey animals, it helps with their peripherals. And when they bend down to eat, they can keep their eye level with the horizon to watch out for predators.”

“Wow, that’s fascinating.”

“I thought you were in the tomato business,” Chase says, resting his hand on the back of the couch behind Jude.

Jake shrugs. “Tomatoes are my job but goats are my hobby. Or one of them at least.”

“Life on the farm must be very interesting,” Gram says. From her tone, I can’t gather if this is a simple observation or a slight.

Jake, thankfully, doesn’t take offense to it. “It is. And it’s a family affair. I get to spend my time working with my brothers. It’s a, well, it’s a blessing.”

She smiles, but her eyes are dull. “I’m sure it is.” Then, she looks at me. “Caroline, I think we’re quite finished with tea.”

“Great,” I say with half a mind just to stare at her like she’s not a woman who can snap her fingers and watch the world tumble to the ground at her feet. I get up and start to collect the cups.

“Let me help with that,” Jake says, getting to his feet.

“I’ve got it, please, you’re a guest,” I utter quietly.

We both reach for Gram’s cup, our fingers brushing one another’s. I recoil nervously, giving him a soft smile.

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