Page 47 of Baby for My Billionaire Rival

“Pleasure to meet you, Jakey boy!” Dad says, slapping his hand into Jake’s.

“You as well, Mr. Gladstone.”

“Please, call me Dick.”

Mom glares at him. “Richard…”

“He goes by Richard,” I say to Jake. “He just thinks the nickname is funny.”

Jake clears his throat. “I can’t blame you, sir.”

“Oh, I like him,” Dad says, shaking his head enthusiastically.

Mom and I exchange eye rolls.

At dinner, I keep an eye on Jake. He’s nervous. Noticeably so. From time to time, I reach over and touch his leg softly, giving him a warm smile.

And he smiles in return, although I can tell the second we leave here, he’s going to crack under the pressure.

Thankfully, Jude and Chase are here. They’ve been in his court through and through since they found out we were dating.

However, no one can ignore Gram’s discerning eye from the head of the table.

“So the farm, Jakey boy, that’s in South Carolina, hm?” Dad asks.

Jake nods. “Yes, sir.”

“Far,” Gram says dryly.

“Not too far,” I say. “Only an hour. Halfway between here and Charleston.”

My mom gives me a knowing look. “An hour is still an hour, sweet pea.”

I try not to let my annoyance show on my face.

“I just ask because, well, if you two are getting serious –” Dad stops and laughs, adjusting his blue striped tie. “You know, I want to wrap my mind around what my little girl’s life might look like.”

Jake nods. “Of course, sir. I respect that.” He glances over at me and I smile. I appreciate that Jake doesn’t run whenever there’s an implication of commitment. “I’m happy to report that my mama is crazy about Caroline. And my brothers too, even if they’re quiet about it.”

“They don’t love her too much, I hope,” Dad says, laughing at his own joke until Mom slaps him on the chest. He clears his throat. “Well, that’s good, that’s good. Although I can’t say I’m surprised. Caroline has always been a social butterfly. People tend to like her.”

“Daddy,” I say softly.

Jake is finally hitting his stride, resting his arm on the back of my chair with ease. It’s little moments like these that are the most impactful. We’ve had each other ten ways to Sunday, but the small gestures are the ones that make me see a life with him. “I agree, that stood out to me from the moment I met her.”

“Is that why you hated her?” Jude says.

The table laughs. Everyone except Gram.

“No, I didn’t like her much since she thought I was a janitor,” Jake grumbles.

Another laugh.

“Well, I can’t see how you can blame her.”

Everyone looks down at Gram. I reach under the table and grab Jake’s knee.

“With your flannel shirt and denim. The work boots…”

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