Page 58 of Secret Baby Daddies
Maddox walked over and shook Harvey’s hand.
“How are men supposed to be better if the ones who struggled before us don’t give out a few well-placed warnings? If we do end up with a little girl, you can bet I’ll have this conversation floating around my brain for a long while. This changes nothing for us. We still have to finalize a few things on our end but this doesn’t affect our decision.”
“So, the rumors are true?” Harvey held his hands up when I turned a hard gaze his way. “You’re talking like the three of you are having one baby. I’m not judging. Jesus. After what I just spilled in here? I don’t have room to judge anyone for anything.”
I nodded begrudgingly.
“Thanks.”
“Have a good day, Harvey. We’ll be in touch.” Luc shook his hand and we left as silently as we’d come.
We were silent as we rode up to the rooftop and returned to the helicopter. It was too loud to talk on the ride back to Dallas but each of us were practically vibrating with energy. Once we were in Luc’s truck, driving back to the office, we exploded.
Luc was as logical as always.
“If there was a divorce, there will be divorce proceedings and filings. We need to get them and read every fucking word. I’ll do it through the PI I use. I’ll have him search for anything and everything there could possibly be. Any paperwork at all, I want it.”
“I need to go find Harley. I’ll take her to get her car but right now I just need to see her.” Maddox scrubbed his hands downhis face. “Jesus. If all of that is true, I’m fucking terrified. What if history repeats—”
“It won’t.” I growled. “It won’t because we won’t let it. That’s if he was even telling the truth. There’s a chance he knew we’ve been with his daughter and said all of that to fuck with us.”
“And there’s a chance that someone gave Harley bad information. I want the truth and I want it yesterday.” Luc sped around a slow driver and swore. “Let us know she’s okay when you see her.”
CHAPTER 41
Harley
I sat across from Susie in the back of the shop and searched her face. It’d taken me all morning to get the words out but I’d finally managed it. I wanted to buy the shop.
She stared back at me with a slow frown turning her mouth down.
“Harley…”
I sat up straighter. Once I’d admitted it was what I wanted, there was no going back.
“I have the money, Susie. I have to find the check but I have it. There’s nothing else I could imagine doing with the money. I wasn’t even sure I wanted it but look at this timing.”
She took a deep breath and when she blew it out it was like watching her body deflate.
“Oh, Harley. It’s not about the money. I mean, yes, it is about the money, but not in the way you think. I’ve spent my life in this store trying to make it work, honey. I’ve worked here when I should’ve been at school with Hunter. I’ve worked here when she needed rides or help with homework. There was just never enough money to get my head above water all the way. Not once in the history of this shop have I ever been able to relax about finances and sit back to enjoy my life. I don’t think I can do that to you.”
“I have ideas, Susie. I think there are things I could do to create more profit. I’ll try them now if you want to keep the shop. I’ll keep working here for the same money, Susie. I just need this place.” I felt desperate and was seconds from getting on my knees to beg her. “This place has become my home. With Reagan gone now, it’s been especially important. I don’t want to lose this place.”
She gripped my hands and squeezed.
“Let me think about it.”
I wanted to argue but I could see she’d made up her mind to not make up her mind yet. I bit back a sigh and nodded.
“Sure. Okay. I can wait.”
She was already standing when she heard the front door open. Motioning for me to stay seated, she went to help the customer. I took a drink of my ginger ale and rested my elbows on the table. I had nothing to do except sit there and pout. If Susie wouldn’t sell the shop to me I’d be lost. More than my apartment, more than Dallas, the shop really was home. I loved being around flowers and having access to them all the time. I loved having a safe home for my succulents. I didn’t want to lose the one place I knew I could retreat to at any time.
“Sweetheart?”
It was still a surprise to look up and see one of the guys. Maddox stood in the doorway, his suit rumpled and his hair messy like he’d been grabbing at it all morning. My heart thumped a little harder when I saw the possessive way he looked at me.
“Hi.”
