Page 28 of Silver Fox's Twin Babies

“You couldn’t keep them from him. If he forced paternity, you’d be required to give him a test and if the judge sided with him, he would receive at the very least visitation. Now, that said, a judge is going to side with the mother 90 percent of the time, especially if she’s provided a good stable home.” His eyes narrowed at me and I nodded.

“I do that. They’re well taken care of.”

“Then you should have no problems. If you say you’re rekindling, why do you think he might pursue custody?” There those fingers went again, tapping the table.

“I’m just scared, I guess.” My shoulders bobbed and I sighed. “I want to cover all my bases in case he gets upset. That’s all.”

“I think you’ve got a great case. I would fight for you to maintain full custody, and in the event that he really fights, we just have to prove your worth over his. You said he ran off to Europe for disciplinary action at work; that’s a start. And he’d have to pay seven years of back child support as well as reimburse half of the prenatal and delivery care costs. That’s a huge chunk of money.”

I knew even the most astronomical cost wouldn’t stop Evan if he wanted my kids, but I hoped he wouldn’t make it come to that. I had no way of knowing, however, how he would even react. Jacob told me Evan would be fine, but I had my doubts.

On the drive across town to my place, Mom talked about my dad, how kind he was, what a good father. I let my mind drift in and out of focus, hearing some words, ignoring some. It bothered me that she was being so lighthearted about it, but maybe that was her way of helping me not get too bogged down in the heavy emotion. It still felt crushing though.

“You know, it won’t be such a bad thing. It could be the best thing for everyone, Amber. Parker and Vera deserve to know their father. If Evan is anything like Jacob, you probably won’t have an issue.” Mom reached across the center console and patted my knee. I tried to respond positively, but I was grateful when she said, “You seem stressed, honey. I’ll stay over tonight. I’ll make dinner and you can have a long hot soak. Okay?”

My phone buzzed inside my purse as she asked that, and I mumbled, “Yeah, sure,” as I pulled it out. It was a text from Evan.

Evan 4:12 PM:Hey, can you come in early tomorrow? Say six? I have that board meeting I need you to help me get prepped for it.

I stared at the phone for a long time before I looked up. I knew it was my job to show up and help him, and I knew Jacob would be counting on me to keep it together to do my job well. Part of me wanted to text back that it wasn’t a good idea, and another part of me wanted to respond yes.

Maybe first thing in the morning before anyone else was there, was the best time to tell him my secret. Or maybe not. It might make him scatterbrained or upset for the board meeting, but then when would be a good time to tell him? There was no good time. I had kept this secret for seven years, almost eight. He would be very angry no matter when it came out.

“You okay?” Mom asked, and I locked my phone and put it back in my purse.

“Not really, but thank you for offering to come over. I’d like that.” I stared out the window the rest of the drive and let my brain zone out, worrying about all the things that could go wrong if Evan reacted badly. The lawyer said he couldn’t really take them, but I still worried about it.

I wondered how well I knew him. The Evan from eight years ago was cold, calculating, and impulsive. How would a more mature Evan react though? And would I be able to hold it together for my twins’ sake?

18

EVAN

Amber never responded if she’d be here early, but I assumed she would be. I stopped on the way here at a local diner and picked up breakfast. I wasn’t sure what she’d want, so I got a little of everything, along with a candle and some flowers. My plan to have her alone for a few hours before anyone else came in had a point. I’d been wrestling with what Jacob told me long enough. I needed to know what was going on, and if he wasn’t going to tell me I had to ask her.

I paced, cautiously chewing my fingernail down to the quick in anxiety. If something had happened between them, I promised myself not to get bent out of shape. She was a free woman, and that was in her past. I had no jurisdiction over her love life, not even now. We hadn’t committed to a relationship yet either, so it wasn’t like I could be offended if she kept things private.

I sensed her coming before I saw the first glimpse of her. It was far too early for anyone else to be here. The door, slightly ajar, moved as pressure in the building equalized and it made my heart jump a little. I ran a hand through my hair and smoothed the front of my jacket down. It felt wrong to corner her, but Ihad to know. The secret was keeping me up at night. Those kids looked suspiciously like my brother, too much like him.

When she pushed the door to my office open, she looked a little worse for wear. Her hair was down today, but she wore no makeup. Her blouse wasn’t buttoned up to the collar, and she had sneakers on, carrying heels in one hand. She was still ravishing though. A face I could definitely wake up to every morning for the rest of my life. She carried a coffee in her hand and a grumpy expression on her face, tired bags under her eyes.

“Morning,” I said, gesturing. “I got breakfast for us.”

Amber’s eyes flicked toward the table across the room where I laid out the takeout dishes full of breakfast sausages, pancakes, eggs, and donuts. “I already ate, sorry.” Her tone was flat, but not offensive. She didn’t act apologetic, and I didn’t expect her to be. Though my confidence wilted a little.

“Coffee?” I said, and she held up her hand. I’d missed the paper cup in her other hand as I focused on the red pointy toed heels in her other.

“Brought mine…Let’s get down to the numbers.” Amber dropped her heels on the floor and set her coffee on the corner of my desk. I assumed she had left her coat and purse in her office, probably her makeup bag too. She looked tired and worn out.

“Amber, I was hoping we could talk.” There was no point denying my real motive for getting her here. It had worked, but she didn’t seem happy about it. I didn’t need her help with the prep for the board meeting; Jacob and I had gone over things already. In fact, I had to order him to stay home, otherwise he’d have shown up to help.

She glanced at the food again and toed off her shoes, then peeled off her socks and shoved them inside the sneakers. Her bare toes were polished, sexy—catching my attention. She avoided making eye contact with me as she slid her feet into her heels and straightened her jacket with a tug on the hem.

“I thought we were working.”

“Amber,” I said, stepping closer to her. She smelled like lilacs in spring, the way the warm fresh air whips up the scent of the earliest blooming flower and invigorates the air. I felt sucked into her gravitational field. She didn’t shy away from me.

“Evan, you said we’d keep this professional at work. I thought you needed my help.”

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