Page 57 of The Damaged Billionaire

“It will be a big project, but I think I can handle it,” he says with a smirk, one I match.

The car slows as we pull onto Willow’s street. “I’m out. Are you good?” I ask him, already grabbing my things to jump out of the car.

“I’m going to look over the maintenance at Harborside. Go get your girl,” he says, waving me off. I have so many questions about why he spends his time maintaining a building we own, when we have a whole raft of maintenance men, but I know it is his way of de-stressing. He actually enjoys working with his hands so I leave him be.

I grab my bag from the driver and don’t even wait for the car to retreat before I take the few stairs on Willow’s porch two at a time. I raced here straight from the airport. I need a shower, I need food, I need sleep, but I need Willow more. I lift my hand to knock, but as always, she is a step ahead of me and opens the door.

“Hi,” she says sweetly, and it is enough to leave me breathless. She leans against the open door, looking up at me. Her hair is down and wrapped around her shoulder. Her white t-shirt that dips into a V at her chest. Her jeans are rolled up to her ankles, her feet bare, her toenails painted light pink. I swallow the growl that is begging to come out.

“Hey,” I say, my voice sounding hoarse.

“You’re early,” she says, stepping back, opening the door wider.

“I wanted to be quicker,” I say honestly as I walk in. I reach for her automatically, my hand finding the familiar curve of her waist, and I sweep it around her back and pull her to me. My lips land on her forehead as her hands slide around my waist, and together we stand in each other's arms. I feel her body soften in my embrace, and I close my eyes and take a deep breath. It feels so good to have her back in my arms. We have a lot to talk about, but I never want to let her go. Bob’s loud bark interrupts my thoughts, and my eyes ping open at the same time as Willow steps away from me, my body feeling cold again.

“Come in, I have a surprise for you,” she says with a small smile playing on her lips. I follow her into the kitchen, the rest of the house quiet. My attention flicks to the sofa where I spent my last night here, and I run my hands through my hair. I’m never drinking with my brothers again.

When I spot Bob outside, my smile widens. Surprisingly, he has grown on me, and I will admit, I think I missed him too. I walk over to the glass door to look out at him. Willow has set him up with a few balls and toys, and he is currently pushing one around with his nose in a big circle, keeping himself very entertained. It makes me happy that he feels at home here just as much as I do.

“He hasn’t touched your garden?” I ask, looking at her in question, because her garden beds still look immaculate.

“No. I got him some toys, and he has been too busy playing to bother with my garden.”

“You've been busy?” I spot a few containers with cupcakes piled high on her kitchen counter.

“Yeah, I will give them to Josh’s mom to take to the hospital. The nurses love them.” She laughs, and I feel warmth run through my body at the sound. It is like I have been out in the cold for days and now I am slowly defrosting.

“I’ve missed you,” I say, turning to her, and she smiles.

“I made you something.” Pulling away from me, she opens her refrigerator. I take a few steps toward her, and the sting of her not saying she missed me is short-lived when I see what she places on the kitchen counter. My body stills. My heart pounds as I look at the large New York cheesecake that sits there. It’s perfect. It is exactly like Nanny Helen used to make. Every Friday without fail. Today is Friday.

“I hope you don’t mind. I spoke to Harrison, and he told me what it used to look like. I wasn’t sure if—” she says, but I cut her off.

“It’s perfect.” I’m still in a state of shock as I continue looking at the cake before my eyes land on her. I strut toward her, wanting her in my arms again, but she stands firm, putting her hands up to stop me. I frown, not liking the distance she creates as she takes a step back.

“There is something I need to tell you. Something we need to talk about.” She looks stricken, and I feel sick. Has the paternity test been done, and she is telling me the results? Has something else happened? I have no voice, but I nod at her to continue.

“Let’s take a seat,” she says, and my body fills with dread.

“I have been sitting for hours. Willow, what is going on?” I ask, panicked, because she looks a little pale. She takes a seat at her dining table, her hands wringing together in front of her.

“Please, can you sit? I need to talk to you about something.” I scurry to the table and pull out a chair to appease her. I feel like I want to vomit.

“I know there is a lot going on. Maybe it is too early for us to have this conversation, but…” she starts, and I see her swallow, struggling with the words. My heart races as my mind fights through different scenarios.

“What is it? Just tell me,” I plead with her, feeling whatever is coming is not going to be good.

“It’s just, if we are going to move ahead with us, then you need to know. You need to be aware…”

“Willow, just tell me, please,” I growl, wishing she would just say it already.

“Tennyson, when I was younger, I had a lot of medical issues, a lot of minor surgeries and various medical procedures on my uterus and ovaries. Because of this, I can’t have children. I wanted to tell you this now, because… because while the paternity test hasn’t been performed, if you want children, then I need you to know that it isn’t something that I can give you. We are new, just starting out, and my feelings for you have grown. But if a big family and lots of babies is something that you want in your future, then maybe Katerina and this baby—” I have to stop her before she can say anything more.

“I don’t want kids. I never wanted kids. I told you that first night we met in New York that I am not marriage material and that also extends to kids. I love kids. I love being the fun uncle. I love to hang out with Rosie and play with dolls for a while, then walk away and leave her to her parents. Kids are not a part of my future that I ever envisioned,” I tell her quickly, hoping she takes me seriously. Willow looks at me, her eyes glassy, her chest moving rapidly.

“But, Tennyson, if you change your mind, I can’t…” I’m not able to fight the smile that starts on my face, and relief sweeps through my body.

“I won’t change my mind, Willow. It is something I have known for a very long time. Willow, you are more perfect for me than if I actually made God a list and he produced exactly that. You are everything I want in a woman. You are strong, independent, career-focused, loving, the best cook, amazing friend and sister. You are destined for great things in your business, and I love everything about you. Even your psycho crazy twelve-year-old best friend.”

---