Page 68 of Enemy Ex's Secret Baby

“I’m so sorry, Gillian,” Kira says.

“It’s okay, it’s my fault,” I murmur, turning away from Axel.

“No, it’s not. You were put in an impossible situation. I don’t blame you for never telling him.”

I can feel a migraine coming on. I shut my eyes tight. “Thanks for telling me.”

Axel touches my back. My brain is telling me to push him away, but my heart wants nothing more than to be as close to him as possible.

“Listen, I have to go,” I say to Kira. “I have to pick up Stella from Dad’s and–anyway, have fun. Don’t worry about this, alright?”

“Gillian–”

“Have fun,” I reiterate, forcing a smile. “I mean it.”

“…okay.”

We say our goodbyes and we hang up. Axel is still behind me, his hand softly sliding up and down my back.

“What’s wrong, Gill?”

I flip around abruptly with a smile on my face and roll my eyes. “Kira’s boss wanted to move his party here so that he could have some late-night snacks or something. I don’t know. I had to tell her we were closed and he’s going to flip out at her and, well, I feel terrible so–”

From the look on Axel’s face, I can tell he doesn’t believe me.

“I need to go get Stella,” I say with finality.

Though I can see the questions swirling in his eyes, he nods. “Of course. Would you call me when you get home?”

“I will.”

“And if she’s up, tell her I say hi. Or good night.”

My heart swells and I feel like I could burst into tears all over again. “Sounds good. She’ll like that.”

Axel smiles. The corners of his eyes are tired. “Good.” He leans in and kisses me softly. “Good night, Gillian.”

I wish I could throw my arms around him and never let him go. But I can’t. There’s a humongous secret sitting between us. And until I tell him, I can’t have him the way I need him.

Axel leaves out the back and I’m left alone with all my thoughts.

I never thought I’d be ready for the truth.

And I’m not ready now.

However, I think it’s time. I have to throw myself off the cliff and take the risk.

I need to tell Axel the truth about Stella.

22

AXEL

I have a spring in my step walking into the Hitchins corporate office. I’ve never felt this good on a Monday morning. Never felt like I could conquer the world like I can now.

Now that I have Gillian, I feel like I can do anything.

Our communication has been sparse over the past two days, but I’m not worrying about it. She’s a mother. She’s busy. And I’ve got my own hide to worry about today. Dad and I have a meeting with our shareholders and I’m about to drop a bombshell on them all.

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