Page 11 of Shameless
I shrugged and picked out a simple Alexander Queen denim midi dress with a black belt. “Well, do some research so we can make a well thought-out decision, but I’m ready for now.”
“For?”
I gazed at him. His tall body and that smile of his sent a thrill through me. “Meeting your sister," I said. "We’re going to be late if you don’t get moving.”
“I’ll have my limo and things sent here.”
Wait. My place wasn’t big enough for an "us." It was made for one fabulous woman with clothes and clothes and clothes.
I froze and said, “For the morning.”
He grabbed the pants he’d worn the day before and asked, “Would you want to keep this apartment or move into one we pick together?”
I didn't think we were quite on the same page. As I dressed, I said, “You’re too far ahead. Let’s focus on your sister.”
As he was throwing on his pants, the doorman downstairs buzzed for a package.
I finished dressing and headed into the bathroom because looking like my part needed work. Soon, though, I would have a son or daughter, and once I figured out who the next me was, then maybe I would be a good mother. As I put on my mascara, I realized for certain that I would never make a forever duchess or marquess or whatever other title Michael said he had for me. That role sounded too hard to pull off forever.
Chapter Four
Michael
* * *
I was fully dressed in new Giorgio Armani I’d had delivered. Since I was done pretending to be only a butler as I had for the past few months, I was back to really being a friend. The first thing I had to do was to move out of the servants' quarters, where my family wasn’t going to search for me.
Next, I needed the gorgeous woman in the other room to agree that we would find our place together. My phone beeped, and I read the message: You’re moving out? It was from Charlie, but the wording was more his fiancée.
I wrote back, As soon as we get back from our trip and have time to apartment search.
Send Kelly what you want. She’s got her real estate license and she’ll work her butt off. Clearly, that was Hope.
I typed back, Of course.
Then I heard the familiar voice that starred in all my dreams.
“Who were you texting?”
I handed her my phone and said, “Charlie and Hope, who believe I’m now moving in with you.”
She pressed a hand to her chest like I would barge into her life. “There is no room for you and a baby.”
More important was getting a ring on her hand because the baby was mine, which meant I needed to up our relationship.
“We need a plan, but first your sister,” she said.
One of the most interesting things about Britney was how she focused and got what she wanted while still going out with and being there for her friends. Her caring heart was clear every time I saw them together, which was one of the first ways I’d noticed she had a heart.
We headed downstairs and into a waiting limo. After we squared off against the same woman who’d been after my inheritance for years, Britney and I had more to discuss—a lot more.
When we stopped at the restaurant, Britney hopped out first. Her heels were high, and I wondered if being pregnant made walking harder.
However, Britney smiled at everyone as we stepped out together through New York society, and toward the back was my sister.
As she stood, I held Britney’s back and said, “Hello, Bernadette.”
We scooted into our seats, and my sister wasted no time, taking out a piece of paper. “I had your girlfriend’s background report pulled up and sent to our parents.”
