Page 7 of Switch Back

I still can’t quite wrap my mind around what happened. You hear the rare story like this happening several decades ago, but not anymore.

I’m surprised the news of two babies being switched at birth didn’t get out. I know that the hospital doesn’t have any interest to broadcast their colossal mistake. And the Davenports are the highest of high society, with Mr. Davenport running for office. This story is something the press would have had a field day splashing over the front of the papers. And that’s the last thing we need to since we are down three points in the polls.

The only wild card in this situation is the other family, but they’ve thrown us all a curve ball by not asking anything of the Davenports or anything besides what the hospital has offered to both families as a settlement. As far as I know, he’s a farmer that is barely able to squeak out a profit every year and she is some farm wife influencer. They could have easily taken the situation and profited considerably, but they haven’t. It was hard to believe but I think they are genuinely decent people without an agenda. It’s refreshing in my line of work.

“My parents offered her the jet,” Roman says, as the three of us wait outside of security. “I don’t know why she insisted on flying commercially?”

I think I have an idea. I don’t need to know this woman to know that she’s too proud to be in debt to the Davenports, even if they are technically family. And maybe she wants the option of bailing on this week on her own terms if things get crazy. So she doesn’t have to ask them for the jet to go home. I like that she is self-sufficient. It’s a nice change of pace compared to the women in mine and Roman’s social circle.

“Oh shit, you guys.” Lucas laughs under his breath. “Here comes Mayberry.”

I don’t see it, but I hear Roman smack Luca on the back of the head as I turn around to see a beautiful curvy redhead. My dick reacts immediately at the sight of every dip and curve of her body as she walks towards us. She is not at all what I had in mind when I imagined Roman’s long-lost sister. I turn back around, not wanting either of the brothers to catch me checking her out.

Roman made it clear to all of his friends growing up that Hazel was off limits to all of them. And until this very moment, that was never a problem for me. But I can’t help but wonder if the same rules apply for Rosemary?

“What?” Luca laughs again as he rubs the back of his head. “It was a joke.”

“Don’t let Mom or Dad hear you say that,” he hisses under his breath.

The click click click of boots on tile stop behind me and I hear her soft voice say, “Hey.”

“You must be Rosemary.” Roman holds out his hand to her.

I glance over to see the brightest smile I’ve ever seen. I can’t help but see Mrs. Davenport’s smile in Rosemary. Each one can light up a room.

“Yes,” she chuckles. “I wasn’t sure if you guys were who I was meeting today.”

“I’m Roman and this is Luca.”

Rosemary gives Luca a quick wave before turning to me.

“And you must be Grant.” She holds out her hand to me.

Luca laughs. “You think this ugly bastard is the model?”

Rosemary looks at each of us confused and starts to pull back her hand. I reach out and grab it before I lose the chance.

“I’m Alex. I’m a friend of the family.”

She smiles at me and the urge to keep holding onto her hand is strong.

“It’s nice to meet you,” she says.

“If you’re done and want to let go of her,” Roman interrupts. “Then we can get out of here. Did you check a bag?”

“This is it.” She points at the small carryon suitcase.

“Alright,” he says, waving for all of us to follow him. “Let’s get out of here before anyone recognizes us and wonders who you are.”

Roman and Luca turn to start walking back towards the parking lot leaving me with Rosemary.

“Can I carry that for you?” I ask, leaning down and picking up her bag.

Rosemary stares after her brothers with a look of confusion. I think she was expecting a warmer introduction to her family.

“You’ll have to forgive them,” I say.

Rosemary glances over at me. “They don’t like me much, do they?”

“They don’t know you. It’s nothing personal,” I explain. “You have to understand the Davenports may seem a bit cold at first but they warm up quickly when you get to know them.”

“In a week?” She laughs, but I can hear the nervous tone in her voice.

“You don’t have anything to worry about. You are certainly the exception to the rule in this scenario. They’d be crazy not to see how amazing you are.”

Her eyebrows lift slightly at my words and I realize I may have said too much.

I clear my throat. “We should catch up with the guys.”

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