Page 10 of Billionaire's Frenemy

He stopped and turned to face me, an eyebrow raised as I handed him my business card.

“I’d like all of Ms. Tate’s medical bills sent directly to my office, please.” I glanced toward the closed door, knowing she’d argue with me if she knew. “Can you see that it happens.”

His brow furrowed. “You’re not the father?”

“No, but I’m her employer…her friend. And my firm will be taking care of all of her medical expenses.”

He nodded, smiling softly, a knowing look in his eyes that made me uncomfortable. “You’re a good friend.”

“Not good enough,” I muttered as I walked out to the waiting room to wait for the girl I’d lost.

I sat in one of the chairs, my elbows on my knees and my head in my hands. I had no idea what the father’s financial situation was, but it didn’t matter. It wasn’t about the money. It was about taking care of Willow in the only way I could.

Maybe, one day, I could be Uncle Jamie. Poor, lonely, drunk Uncle Jamie. Because there would be no one else, except the specter of all I’d lost.

Willow came out a few minutes later, made her next appointment with the clerk, then silently followed me outside.

“Do you want me to take you home?” I asked her when the oppressive silence became too much to bear any longer.

“I need to go back to the office,” she said.

“Right.”

“Thank you,” she said, reaching over and putting her hand on my forearm. “For coming with me today. I’m…glad you were there.”

“Of course,” I insisted. “You shouldn’t have been there alone.”

She blew out a sigh and turned to stare out the window. She seemed so sad. It confused me. Shouldn’t she be happy? She had everything in the world she wanted. Love. A baby. A family. Everything I’d never given her…had never offered to give her.

But as I thought about it, I hadn’t seen her smile in the week she’d been at the firm. I knew she didn’t realize I’d been watching. Okay, lurking. Sort of stalking. I’d been avoiding her, but I couldn’t help checking up on her. I loved her. But if she was happy, then I’d let her be happy.

This…this didn’t seem happy. And something was wrong. Something she wasn’t telling me. Damn that guy for not being at her appointment. And damn me for not being that guy.

Five

Willow I’m-Such-A-Liar Tate

Guilt ate at me like little drips of acid. I wasn’t happy; Jameson wasn’t happy. But I saw no way out of this thing I’d created. Plus the man was as blind as a rock.

I mean, I’d told him the truth. I loved the father of my baby. Dr. Bob had told us how far along I was. It didn’t take much more than a memory and basic math to figure out when I’d gotten knocked up.

Jameson just didn’t want to see it.

For the past two days since the appointment, he’d been eyeing me as if I were a one-of-a-kind toy, the thing he’d always wanted, always intended to claim, but now saw belonged to someone else. I wanted to yell at him to wake up, but I refused to have anI’m doing the right thinghusband. I knew he’d insist on marrying me. All the Cassels were honorable, even Jamie, especially Jamie in my opinion.

God, I really wished I had someone to talk to about this, but I had no siblings, my mom was gone, and two of my besties were married to Jamie’s brothers, Fray and Luke. I could call Penny or Phoebe, our other close friends who rounded out our group. Tapping my fingers I considered which sister to phone. Phoebe was traveling for work, but Penny would be done with teachingfor the day. She was the perfect choice anyway, since she kinda knew about my situation.

Since it was past five, I didn’t feel bad calling from my office. I closed my door and dialed up Pen.

“Hey, girl, hey!” she crowed across our connection, bringing a smile to my lips.

“Hey, how’s it going?”

“Mmm…fine? What’s wrong?”

I sighed heavily. I didn’t call her only when I had problems, but she always knew when it was the case. We’d been roomies in college, and she was the closest I had to a sister.

“My life is a dumpster fire,” I groaned. “And one lie after another is just making it worse. Guess I should get used to it. I’m totally going to hell.”

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