Page 50 of Doctor Billionaire's Surprise Baby

"Uh… something about… " I looked out to the patio, "Oh, sorry, looks like someone needs a refill…" I'm losing it, for sure, and now my friends are noticing. I have to pull it together, but having Simone this close to me and us not connecting. It's painful and awkward. Especially when I know it's all my fault.

My excuse? I fucking can't get over myself. I know what I should do on a logical level, but I can't seem to actually do it. It's fucking driving me mad, especially when it feels like I'm letting the best thing slip through my fingertips. Is it because I've been closed off all these years because of my incredibly amazing upbringing? Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

I stepped out on the patio and, of course, people were there, but I just needed to clear my head. I pretended to busy myself with something on the drink cart, but really, I just needed to breathe.

Dom came out onto the patio and looked around casually, one hand in his pocket and the other one holding his drink. Heslowly walked toward me and watched me shuffle things around on the cart.

“So… when are you guys getting married?” Dom put married in air quotes and the gesture made my stomach turn. I glanced around to make sure no one had seen, but we were largely ignored thanks to Simone's magnetic draw.

“Uh, soon,” I said to Dom.

"I know something is wrong, Hugo. It's very clear. So when are you going to talk about it? I'm not going to let you clam up. It's time you pulled on your big boy emotional sensitivity pants and realize that you can actually talk about your problems with your friends." He turned to give me a side hug, effectively screening our interaction from anyone else. I was always thankful for Dom's discretion. "You know we are here for you. If you want a relationship with Simone, and I can imagine you do, then you need to practice opening up. Tell her how you feel. You don't have to know why you feel something, but just tell her you feel something. I know you've been on your own, figuring this life out. But if you're going to get married and you want any semblance of a marriage, fake or not, you're going to have to open up a little. Simone deserves that."

I let those words soak in. He was totally right. If I wanted Simone, I needed to grow into a new emotional maturity.

"Just take baby steps with this. Be honest with yourself. It's going to be worth it." He gave me an extra squeeze. We looked at each other and I could only smile. Dom, my bro. Always there for me. He took his drink and slowly walked away. I shuffled a few more things around the cart and exhaled. I need to figure this out.

“Hugo, I finally get to talk to you. I’ve been so busy getting to know your lovely bride-to-be,” Aunt Charlotte wandered over, breaking my thoughts, and I gave her a tight hug. She alwaysgave the best hugs. “It’s so good to see you, Hugo. It's been a while.”

She touched my cheek, and the familiar gesture comforted the turmoil racking my body.

“Thank you for coming today, Aunt Charlotte.”

“I wouldn't miss it, my dear. Come with me, Hugo. Let’s sit and have a chat. Catch up a little.”

I turned and led her inside to the living room. It seemed that people were all over the house, moving mostly to the outside areas because the weather was so good.

We settled into the living area, which I had to admit, was very cozy. Thankfully, it was also private at the moment. “How have you been, Aunt Charlotte? I'm sure you're keeping busy, making your jams and cookies. I've missed seeing you lately.”

“Oh, you're right. Lots of jams, jellies and cookies. You know where I am, so please come any time. As for me, I’m as fine as an old lady could be." Clearly, she was done with the small talk because she looked at me with piercing, inquisitive eyes. "I’ll cut to the chase, Hugo. Austin told me about what’s going on with you and Simone. He’s terrible at keeping secrets, by the way. You really shouldn’t have let him in on this information. Anyway, that all being said, I hope you know what you’re doing. I only talked to her for a few minutes, but Simone seems wonderful. More importantly, it's clear that she’s completely in love with you. Don’t go breaking hearts needlessly, you hear me? We all know that you don’t like commitment, and that’s fine. But she’s different, okay?”

“Of – of course,” I stammered.

Charlotte glared at me appraisingly, leaning back and getting a better view of my face.

“For the love of… you love her, too,” she said with astonishment.

All I could do was nod.

“You’ve also already done something to mess everything up.”

How did this woman read people so well?

I nodded again, and she sighed deeply in response.

“Hugo, apologies and honesty go a long way. But they don’t work if you wait too long, okay?”

“Yes, Aunt Charlotte.”

She patted my knee as she went to stand up.

“You’re a smart man, Hugo. I know you’ll figure it out and make it right. Just don't screw it up.” She sighed and smiled. "I'm kidding, of course. You've always put on a good face, but I know there's more going on underneath that handsome face of yours. I've met a couple of girls in your past. I'm sorry, but they were just in it for a good time, and I have a feeling that you were too. You need to settle down a bit and having a mature relationship might be new to you. But you know, 'Rome wasn't built in a day, they were laying bricks every hour.' All I can encourage you to do, is be a little more open. There's something off with you today; your normal cheerfulness isn't there. So that tells me you've tapped into a deeper emotional layer that just needs a little tweaking to grow. And you'll get there." She patted my knee as she stood up. "Enough of the emotional lecture. It's time for you to have some fun. And please, come and visit me and we will toast your success with cookies and coffee, okay?" I stood up and she hugged me again.

As she walked away, leaving those parting words, I flopped back on the chair. Clearly, the people closest to me knew me better than I knew myself.

Simone shot me a nervous glance from where she was talking with her friend Lindsey, subtly biting her lip, and I could tell she was struggling to maintain her composure just as much as I was. I swallowed hard, trying to force the lump in my throat down.

I walked over to where Logan was sharing a story about his recent trip to Costa Rica. As Logan's story unfolded andlaughter filled the air once more, I tried to convince myself that everything would be fine – that I would sort this out and no one would know anything was ever wrong. But deep down, I hoped I could sort this out. Sortmyselfout. At this moment, I couldn't really see how the chips would fall.

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