Page 21 of Secret Baby for a Damaged Billionaire

“Really?” I respond, doing my best to sound interested while studying Emily’s reaction out of the corner of my eye. She’s got a smile pasted on, but there’s a shadow in her eyes that screams “I’d rather be anywhere else.” Wedding planning is probably the last thing she wants to do.

“Yup,” Chloe barrels on, blissfully unaware of Emily’s discomfort. “We tasted everything from a heavenly chocolate ganache to a zingy raspberry lemonade, and we still couldn’t crown a champion.”

“Sounds like you two had quite the adventure,” I say, remaining positive. But on the inside, I’m frowning at Chloe’s lack of tact. Why would she pull Emily into this level of wedding prep when it’s as clear as day that her emotions are still raw?

“Emily, which did you like best?” Chloe asks, eyes wide.

“Um, well,” Emily stammers, caught off guard by the question. “I guess I kind of liked the… the lavender-honey one? It was a bit out of the box, you know?”

“Ooh, yes!” Chloe nods vigorously. “That one was really unexpected. Maybe we’ll pick that one.”

As the chatter rolls on, I sneak another look at Emily. Her smile is fragile and doesn’t quite reach her eyes, sending a wave of protectiveness crashing over me. That’s it; it’s time to draw the line on Chloe’s unwitting emotional tug-of-war with Emily.

“Chloe, why don’t we give Emily a breather from all the wedding buzz?” I suggest. “She could use a break, right?”

“Lucas, we’re just having fun,” Chloe protests, but her voice wavers slightly. “Right, Em?”

“Of course,” she chimes in, but there’s a glimmer of relief in her eyes as they meet mine.

“Chloe,” I start, doing my best poker face. “I actually need her for the rest of the day, anyway. A bunch of business stuff just washed up, and her genius is the life raft I need.”

“Really? Now?” Chloe squints, suspicion seeping into her expression like she’s just caught us raiding the cookie jar.

I glance back at my fighters to demonstrate how full my hands are. “Yep,” I fib smoothly, slapping on a carefree smirk.

Emily sends me a look that’s pure gratitude, her shoulders dropping. As much as I cherish Chloe, I can’t shake the feeling that she’s inadvertently putting Emily through a wringer with all this wedding hoopla, maybe even more so to keep us apart.

“Fine,” Chloe grumbles, crossing her arms in a huff. “But don’t overwork her. We’ve got a mountain of things to still do.”

“Don’t sweat it,” I assure her. “We’ll wrap things up and have Emily back to you before long.”

Once Chloe finally leaves, I turn to Emily, who’s now exhaling with what looks like a mix of relief and intrigue.

“Thank you,” she whispers, a genuine smile on her lips.

“No problem.” I shrug. “I couldn’t bear to see you endure another cake war.”

We share a chuckle, and I’m hit with a thunderbolt of how stunning she is when she’s free of worry. But there’s something else nagging at my brain—something that’s been gnawing at me since I caught Chloe’s reaction to my needing Emily for the afternoon.

“Hey, Em,” I say cautiously. “Isn’t it kinda weird how Chloe seems to be pulling on you, like trying to take your time from me? It’s almost like she doesn’t want to share you anymore.”

“Hm, maybe,” she responds, her eyes narrowing as she thinks. “She has been kind of intense recently. Like acting surprised when I’m spending time here.” She lifts her shoulders and smirks. “Plus, it was her idea from the start.”

“Exactly,” I agree. “Although, it was kind of our own idea at the very beginning, which is pretty cool.” I lift my brows thinking of our first night together. “But when she matched us as business partners, I just don’t think she expected… this.” My finger points to her, then to me.

#

As the last echoes of grunts and punches against bags bounce off the gym walls, and the fighters cool down on the mats, Emily and I watch the after-workout scene. Our day has been busy, and a strong sense of accomplishment is in the air. We made more moves toward the Dubai deal and were just waiting now for a formal response. Seemed like a perfect time to take a detour from the daily grind of the gym.

“Come on,” I say, nudging into Emily, gesturing my head towards the gym’s exit. “Wanna get out of here? No sense in just waiting around. Dubai could take days to review the offer. Would be a shame to waste the rest of the afternoon.” I shrug innocently. “My turn to show you around my neighborhood.”

Her eyes light up. “Okay,” she replies with a grin. “I’m curious to see your part of town,” she says, as we step into the cool Boston air.

We hop into my SUV and leave the dojo behind us, as I bomb down Clarendon Street toward Back Bay.

“Okay,” she nods. “Not too far from Southie. Same side of the city anyway. We’re practically neighbors.” She smiled brightly.

Pulling into a private parking garage, we leave the SUV and head down Arlington, along the edge of the Public Garden, while I make no mention that we’re passing my building. I don’t want her to get the wrong impression, thinking I want to take her home with me. Though, she wouldn’t be altogether wrong.

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