Page 35 of Knocked Up By the Silver Fox

I bit my lip, the words sitting heavy on my tongue. "Please. Promise me you'll consider it."

After a moment, he sighed, his voice low and steady. "Fine. I'll consider it. But it won't come to that."

The tension eased just slightly, and he offered me a small, lopsided smile. "Enjoy the soup. And…you're doing great here. Don't let anyone make you feel otherwise."

My heart swelled at his words, but I kept my face composed, nodding slightly. "Thanks, Will."

I watched him go, wishing we lived in a world where we didn't have to keep so much distance. But for now, this would have to be enough.

As soon as Will disappeared down the hall, my computer pinged with a new email. I opened it absentmindedly, expecting the usual work clutter, but froze when I saw the subject line:Offer of Employment—Confidential.

My heart thudded as I scanned the email. A top-tier firm out of London, one I'd admired for years, was offering me a position. The terms were staggering—salary, benefits, leadership opportunities. It wasn't just a step forward; it was a leap. Bigger than anything Nevil had ever dangled in front of me.

For a moment, I let myself imagine it: a fresh start, a career-defining move. No gossip, no board politics, no one tying my success to anyone else. Just me.

But then my hand drifted to my stomach. The baby. My life wasn't just mine anymore. I couldn't just jet off to London and take a new job, and I knew it. As wonderful as that sounded, I had to stay and face this and pray like hell Will could help Abby see I wasn't the enemy. If not, I didn't know what to do. One way or another, this baby was coming, with or without Will.

24

WILL

Imade dinner. It wasn't gourmet, just spaghetti and garlic bread, but it was made with love and a tad bit of anxiety. Abby had only been home a few hours when I sent my car to retrieve Beth from her apartment. I hadn't told her we were having company yet or who that company was, but I did tell her we would have a serious discussion tonight, which she agreed to.

The time with my brother and his wife seemed to help her relax a bit. Christmas was lonely without her, but it had given me time to reflect on everything. I knew Abby was only trying to get her footing and feel better. I watched her struggling to find her way after Kate's death and now with graduation approaching in five months, I knew she was going through things on her own. She probably had the weight of wishing her mother could be here for her graduation riding on her shoulders, and I hadn't taken time to account for that.

"I'll set the table," she said cheerfully as she pecked me on the cheek. "Smells good."

I glanced at her and smiled, but I felt nervous apprehension swirling in my chest. "Set an extra place please," I told her, andshe narrowed her eyes at me as she pulled the plates out of the cupboard.

"Who's coming?" she asked, and I shut off the stove, leaving the wooden spoon in the saucepan I'd been stirring.

My fear of her horrible reaction was cut off before I could answer as Beth rang the bell. Unfortunately, I felt that springing this on her was the only way to get her to participate. I knew she was starving after her flights today; she'd said so a dozen times. I knew she would be forced to eat, and my standing rule about eating our meals together would commit her to the table for at least as long as it took for her to eat.

"Dad…" she said, and her face soured.

"Please get the door, Abigail." I used a firm tone so she'd understand this wasn't optional, and I prayed for a positive reaction.

Abby huffed, set the plates on the counter, and headed for the door. I picked up where she left off and carried the plates to the dining table. I heard Abby invite Beth in as I arranged things, then Beth appeared around the corner. She was breathtaking, wearing a pink sweater that hugged her hips like a dress and white leggings. Her hair was twisted up on her head, and she had rose cheeks from the cold.

"Hey," I said, approaching her. She gave me a polite hug with an air kiss—the way I'd greet my aunt. I was slightly confused by it, but after seeing Abby's scowl and the way she folded her arms over her chest, I figured it was the appropriate greeting.

"Hi, thank you for inviting me." Beth seemed just as nervous as I was. She left her coat on but unbuttoned and peeled the black leather gloves from her hands.

"I, uh…I made spaghetti and it's already done." I gestured at the table and Abby huffed and rolled her eyes at me, vanishing into the kitchen just out of sight.

"Will, she seems really uncomfortable." Beth bit her lower lip.

"She'll be okay…" I reached out and took hold of Beth's coat, helping her out of it. "Just sit. Okay?"

Beth was stiff, being distant from me when I kissed her quickly. She shied away and I walked toward the coat closet to hang her coat. When I returned, the serving dishes with spaghetti, sauce, and breadsticks were set out. Beth and Abby were seated across from each other and my spot at the head of the table waited for me.

I sat and reached for the bowl of spaghetti to serve them and to my utter shock, Abby was the one who began the conversation.

"So, you're Elizabeth Reid?"

I put noodles and sauce on Abby's plate first, then Beth's. Then I served myself a small portion before pouring myself a glass of wine, and then Beth. Abby had water, though I saw her eyeing the wine as if she'd prefer it. It made me half smile thinking about my daughter becoming an adult.

"Yes, and I've heard so much about you, Abby. Your dad talks about you all the time." Beth's comment made Abby scowl, though I didn't understand why. She carefully cut her pasta with her fork and knife before taking a bite.

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