Page 36 of One Small Secret

“Christian.”

“Why would Christian Rasmussen think I’m the father of your baby?” There is no trace of cologne in his voice now.

Ugh. Could this conversation be more embarrassing? “He jumped to his own conclusions after reading your email over my shoulder.”

“And you let him think…” Ruben trails off. “I mean, not that I wouldn’t want . . .”

“I was upset with him and didn’t take time to explain. I’m sorry. I should have. I will.”

“The damage is done now. I hope he got a pretty penny for that picture, because it’s costing him his job. I’ll take care of him. You don’t need to speak to or see him again unless you want to.”

“Oh, but you do? This is my fault, Ruben. If I had just told him...”

“Being in the media is kind of my thing. It isn’t yours.”

“Yeah, well, you're not the one with a baby.”

“Tell that to my grandpa. He thinks…”

His pause lasts long enough that I have to prod him. “What does he think?”

“Well, he thinks that perhaps I’m trying to keep the two of you all to myself. Something about how I have to share everything else with the world, so he can understand why I would hide you from the media. But he's pretty upset at the thought that I kept you from him and my parents.”

I laugh.

“It isn’t funny.” His voice is hard.

“It’s a little bit funny.”

“I’m glad you think so. Why don’t you come over for dinner, then? You're sure to have a good chuckle.”

“But what if someone sees me going there? Do you want the world to get more documentation about your ladylove and secret child?”

He sighs. “That depends.”

“Depends on what?”

“Which of my secret families are you talking about? You and Axley? Sure. It will deflect from my real secret family that I keep hidden in Australia.”

I smile. This is territory I’m comfortable with. Joking. “Why would you keep your secret family in Australia? Flights there are horrific.”

“Ah, but the time difference is so convenient. Next year I can spend Christmas day there, hop on a horrific flight, and still make it in time for Christmas dinner in Rosco.”

“Sounds like you’ve thought through everything.”

“I’m nothing if not meticulous. Now, will you come for dinner? It would really help my Australian family.”

“Fine.”

“Fine,” he says back, and I hang up the phone before I can change my mind.

I open the door and tell Mom, “It looks like we're having Christmas dinner with the Palmers.”

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Ben has always loved me. He got me my first internship when I was in high school, wrote an amazing reference letter when I applied to college, and made sure I was snatched up by Palmer Hotels the minute I graduated. I’m used to the glimmer that lights his eyes when he sees me, but the way he keeps glancing across the dinner table at me, Axley, and Ruben is next level. He could light fireworks with the sparks coming from his eyes.

Ruben wasn’t lying when he said Ben hadn’t believed him.

---