I laughed. "Sorry, bro."
He laughed too. "Actually, I wanted to talk to you about the papers we signed the other day at Dad's.”
My mood turned quickly sour again. "Oh? What about it?" I asked, trying to keep the bitterness out of my voice. It wasn't his fault that I was basically being kicked out of the family. I tried my best not to hold it against either of my brothers, knowing that they were as powerless in the decision as I was.
"Amanda told me that the two of you talked a lot over lunch and then she told me what you said about the company. About how upset you were about the decision. Alec, I wish you would have come to me or to Carter with these thoughts. We both saw that you were upset when Dad broke the news, but we didn't think that you really wanted a part of the company."
"Why would you think that?" I asked. "You heard what I told Dad. The agreement that I would, you know, get my act together. Whatever that really even means. I'm starting to wonder myself."
"We both thought you were just doing all of that on principle. You know, we thought you were upset about the fact that Dad made the decision based on your lifestyle. I honestly thought you just wanted to show him you were a capable adult before he…passed. I didn't think it had anything to do with the company at all."
"That was a part of it," I said. "But I've always wanted to do more with the business, it just seemed that there was never a place for me, and you know that I could never peacefully work alongside Dad. We'd drive each other crazy."
"That's very true," Marcus agreed. "I have worked alongside him plenty and he's not an easy boss, I know that."
"Yeah," I said wistfully. "He's a good man. Just a stickler, that's for sure."
"So you're actually interested in running the business? You know, like as a full-time job? once Dad is…no longer with us?"
"Yeah, I would have loved to, but you heard what he said. We all did. He made it clear to me that there is no chance in hell he is giving me any share of it when he claims you two deserve it more. Like it's a competition."
Marcus sighed. "You know how he is. He turns everything into a competition. I guess that's how he was so successful. But regardless, I have already talked to Carter and he agrees that we should talk to him. I want you to have my share."
"What?" I asked, stunned. "Why?"
"I never wanted it to begin with. I've always wanted to start my own business. I don't know, I just want something that I can call my own, something that is my own style. I never had much interest in real estate and don't want to be another rich old man who wishes he would have followed his passion instead of just chasing money. I plan to make plenty of money with my own business, sure, but it'll be mine." Marcus sighed. "I just agreed to take over because I didn't want the sole responsibility to fall on Carter's shoulders, and like I said, we didn't think you gave a shit. If you want it this bad and I don't want it at all, then it only makes sense. I'm telling Dad that I am stepping down, and I'm telling him everything you said to Amanda."
"Thank you," I said, genuinely stunned at hearing this. "But I don't know if that would change his mind either."
Marcus sighed. "Yeah, well, hopefully it doesn't come to this, and I hate to even say it, but if he really is that stubborn then we'll just have to wait until he isn't here to make the necessary changes."
"Should we feel bad for talking like this?" I asked. "I know I haven't been the most trustworthy person in the past and I can see where he is coming from sometimes, but…"
"No we shouldn't feel bad. He should feel bad for not giving you another chance. We've all noticed how you've changed, Alec. We're all proud of you and Carter and I believe in your abilities one hundred percent. I am more than happy to go to bat for you, and so is Carter. The only bone we have to pick with you is why you didn't just come to us for help in the first place. We know you're growing up and ready to put in the hard work."
"Thank you, Marcus," I said, feeling hopeful for the first time in two weeks.
"You're welcome. You deserve it, and I don't want it." He laughed. "How is Myra, by the way? You haven't gotten cold feet about the proposal have you?" Marcus teased.
I hesitated for a beat too long and Marcus chided me again, "I'm just kidding, Alec. I know you love her and she loves you, I can see it in the way the two of you interact. I think she's great and so does Amanda. We're both so happy for you."
I was about to tell Marcus the truth. The fact that we’d broken up. It was time for all the lies to stop, really. But if I had gotten a chance at the career that I wanted all of a sudden, maybe the stars were lining up for me and maybe I still had a chance with the woman I wanted, too. I wasn't ready to give up and let her walk away, not without trying.
"She really is great," I agreed. "I'm actually going to propose to her tomorrow," I heard myself say. "I keep putting it off for the perfect moment but I'm getting tired of waiting. That ring is starting to burn a hole in my pocket."
"Well, don't rush on my account, but congratulations," Marcus laughed. "I admit that I never thought I'd see the day that Mr. Bachelor found a woman who could hold his attention, but I am so glad to see this happen for you. Call me and let me know when she says yes. I know Amanda will be waiting for the news."
"I will," I said. "Thanks for your support, bro. It means a lot to me."
"Of course, Alec. The three of us are going to need each other now more than ever. It's important that we all just stay open and honest with each other, and there will be nothing to worry about. If we can do that, we’ll be fine."
"I agree," I said.
"Carter and I will talk to Dad. I think it'll go over better if you aren't present."
"That's fine with me. Let me know how it goes. Bye Marcus."
I ended the call with a smile on my face, stunned by the sudden turn of events. I went over the conversation again in my head, and my smile slowly faded when I got to the part where he was singing my praise over my relationship with Myra. I had intended to come clean, or at least tell him that we broke up for some mundane reason. I hadn't intended on sinking myself deeper into a lie.
So I was going to have to make sure that what I said was the truth. I was going to propose to Myra, and I was going to keep my hope alive that by the way of some sort of miracle she would agree to be my wife. My real wife, not for show, not for career advancement, but for love.
I took the ring from the drawer where I'd been keeping it and looked at it again. I snapped the box close, vowing that the next time I looked at it, it would be on her finger.
I had no idea how I was going to go about this, or what even made me think it was possible, but I was going to try. She at least needed to know how I felt about her before she walked out of my life for good, and whatever the outcome, this way I could say that I tried.
I saw movement on the outdoor security monitor, and noticed it was Myra's car pulling up. She had probably been out on another job interview. I watched as she got out of her car and came inside, and I rushed down to see her. We hadn't seen much of each other for the past few days and I was sure that she kept it that way on purpose.
"Myra," I greeted her as she stood in the front entrance.
She looked up, startled to see me.
"Hi, Alec," she smiled broadly, looking vibrant and rosy. "How's it going?"
"Pretty well, actually, I just received some good news."
She looked interested. "Ah, so did I." Then she dropped her eyes bashfully. "What's yours?"
"Well, my brothers are going to bat for me and want me to have a share in the company. They're going to talk to our father, and if he still doesn't budge they’ve promised to make it right after he is gone."
"Wow, that is great. I'm happy for you," Myra gave me a hug, and I held on to her for a beat too long for it to be a congratulatory hug only.
"And what's your news?" I asked her.
She had a strange smile on her face, then looked away. "Oh, uh, I got a job interview."
She sounded different, but I didn't que
stion it. "Congrats," I said. "How about we go to dinner tomorrow to celebrate our wins? Come on, just for fun? Please?"
She paused. "Okay, you're on. Tomorrow night." She flashed me that winning grin of hers and I melted. This had to work.
19
Myra
"I've got to tell him eventually," I said out loud to myself in the mirror.
I couldn’t keep our baby a secret. That probably wasn’t even legal. Why would I want to do that anyway? The whole reason I ended up here in the first place was because I was out of work, and now I was expecting to find a new job and support the baby all on my own?
My thoughts were going a mile a minute and I could barely make sense of anything anymore. I'd never had this problem before, and I wasn't ready to enlist the help of my mother or father. Dylan was being supportive in that he was an ear to sound off on, but he wasn't much help when it came to pregnancy problems. I had no idea how I was going to handle morning sickness, debilitating fatigue, bloating, wild emotions, and food cravings.
Yes, this was a walk in the park. Coupled with a very complicated non-relationship and a web of lies, my life was not exactly…neat right now. I had always been neat, and I didn’t like being anything else.
I was glad that he had invited me to dinner. I almost declined, but I figured it would be the perfect time to drop the bomb on him that he was going to be a father to a real baby with his former fake girlfriend. Yeah, it didn't get much messier than that. A public place would probably be better for news like that. At a public place with a bar, actually. If I knew Alec, he was going to need a stiff cocktail after hearing this. Or maybe an ambulance.
I smiled, despite the circumstances. It was all there was left to do. I had already cried myself dry. It still hurt my heart that it was coming to this. I would love to raise the baby with Alec. I think he would make such a great father, the way he was always so happy go lucky and optimistic about the world. The kid would love him, no doubt. But I didn't think he had any interest in being one, and I was going to have to prepare myself for that.
At this point, I was prepared for anything. We hadn't seen much of each other lately, mainly because I'd been avoiding him. I just didn't know how to tell him that our night of passion had resulted in…this. I touched my belly in awe that there was a life growing inside that wasn't mine. I wasn't showing a baby bump yet, but I had a general puffiness all over that was already making my clothes a little tighter.
Alec sent me a text with a winky emoji. "I got us a table at a pretty nice place, just so you know."
That was his way of asking me to dress up. I already knew that we weren't going to McDonald's. Everything with him was extravagant. I selected a dress that had an empire waist to mask any midsection puffiness that might show if I wore something slinky. I found a pair of strappy heels to match and tried them on, figuring I would wear them while I still could before I had to waddle everywhere to get around.
As I finished getting ready, I realized that after tonight, things were either going to be okay after all, or things were going to be ten times worse. All I could do was hope for the best. I tried to recite what I was going to say to Alec at dinner. It was going to be hard not to tearfully just tell him that I loved him and then beg him to be with me forever and raise a family with me. I knew that wasn't going to happen, and didn’t want to stoop to that level of pathetic. Even if that was my only option.
I tossed the positive test in my handbag, then took it out on second thought. It would be my luck to drop my bag and have it spill out in public. I didn't need any more mortification in my life at this point. I flipped off the light and headed out to meet Alec in the limo that was waiting outside.
We were dropped off in front of a small Italian restaurant, one that I had never noticed before. It proudly stood between two taller brick buildings, hidden by a beautiful courtyard. Alec offered me his hand as I stepped out of the limo. He had given me a strange look when I declined the champagne he offered in the limo. I had simply told him that I was already tired and didn't feel like drinking or else I might not make it through dinner. Luckily, he just shrugged it off. I suspected I would have to decline once more when we sat down and ordered food. As we got nearer to the restaurant, it meant that I was nearer to having to tell him the truth, and my nerves were starting to become amplified with each step we took.
Once inside, we were shown to a small table in the dining room, which was beautifully decorated with a pianist in the corner softly playing. Candles were lit as we sat down and roses adorned our table.
Alec smiled at me, resting his hand lightly on the small of my back as he guided me to my seat.
Once he was settled, he gazed at me in the dimmed light, smiling. His eyes were so easy to get lost in. He was making it very difficult to fall out of love with him. I felt the opposite happening.
"This is a pretty romantic setting to just be a celebratory dinner," I pointed out, trying to ease the sexual tension that was growing between us.
Alec just smiled. "I wanted it to be romantic. There's nothing so wrong with wanting a romantic dinner with a beautiful woman who has been such a light in my life these past few months. I wanted to show my appreciation for you. I hope you like it."
I was starving, actually. I reached for a piece of crusty bread, spreading the truffle butter and cheese over it and indulging. "I do," I said, as I finished chewing. "You always have excellent taste in food."
"Thank you," he said.
"I'm actually glad that you asked me to dinner tonight. I know that we haven’t talked much lately, and that is mostly my fault. I'm sorry for that. I've just been really overwhelmed and confused and I've had a lot going on."
"Lots of interviews?" He asked cautiously.
I dropped my eyes. "Um, a few. They last one didn't go so well," I admitted, stalling. Maybe I should wait until after dinner. But I had already started. Now what?
"I'm sorry for that, but I am sure you'll find something. You're very qualified."
"Thanks," I said. "Again, I am sorry for being distant. I know you are going through a lot and can probably use someone to talk to, huh? How have things been with your father? Is his health holding up for the time being?"
"He is holding up, yes. He's a strong man. As I told you, my brother Marcus has decided to give up his share of the company to me. He is set on starting his own business that has nothing to do with real estate."
I laughed, somewhat bitterly. "So this whole charade we put on was for nothing all along?" I felt a wave of confusion and sadness, but I bit it back. I didn't want to go there, not right now. "We should both feel pretty silly shouldn't we?"
"I wouldn't say it was for nothing," Alec said. "I think we both gained something from knowing each other. I wouldn't go back and change it even if I could. Although, there are a few things I would change, I guess." He frowned. "I never would have made you upset, for one of them."
I shrugged. "Don't worry, the past is the past." I needed to just tell him. Now. Why were the words not coming out of my mouth?
"Actually, that's why I brought you to dinner."
"What do you mean?"
"There are still some things I would like to ask you about the change," he said, looking up at me from lowered eyes.
"I don't understand," I said. "If you want me out of your house sooner I could just stay with my brother for-"
"No, no that isn't it at all," he reached across the table for my hand, and as always, his touch sent shivers through me. "I brought you here to ask you if you might want to change something, between us." He nervously reached in his pocket and pulled something out, then got out of his seat and kneeled next to me.
My heart sped up. What was happening? I looked around for cameras.
"Alec, what is going on?" I whispered. "I thought we weren't doing this?"
He ignored me, opening the box and presenting me with a ring. "Myra, I want to ask you if you'll marry me. I've wanted this to be real for a long time now, and I can't let you w
alk out of my life without at least asking. I know it's a shot in the dark, but it's all I've got. Will you be my wife? For real this time? Forever?"
My eyes misted, and I nearly fainted. "Alec, is this…what?" I laughed. "I am so confused. You're serious?"
"I'm more serious than I have ever been in my life. Since I have met you I have only changed for the better, and I have you to thank for bringing meaning to my life. Before I knew you, I wasn't who I wanted to be. You've made me take pride in being a better person, and no matter what happens tonight, I will always have you to thank for that. You're a beautiful person, inside and out, and I want you, Myra. I love you. Only you. Now and forever. Please make me the happiest man alive and say yes."
"Yes, Alec, yes." I heard myself say.
Alec smiled broadly. "That's all I needed to hear you say." He slipped the ring on my finger. It was gorgeous, and huge. I was going to gain muscle mass just from lifting the thing on my hand constantly.
"But there is something that I haven't told you. You need to hear this before we make it official. I hope it doesn't make you change your mind, but if it does, I'll have to understand."
Alec straightened up, cupping my face in his hands and kissing me passionately. "I don't care what you have to tell me, there is nothing that will ever make me change my mind about you."
He held my hands, looking at me expectantly. With tears of happiness in my eyes, I finally willed myself to speak the words, "Alec, I am pregnant with our child."
Epilogue - Alec
It was a long day at the office, but I hardly even realized that I had been there for nearly twelve hours. I'd come in early today, even before Carter, to make sure the new account portfolios were ready to presented to the prospective partners that were coming in, just like we had specified. I was turning out to be even more of a perfectionist than Carter was when it came to our day to day operations. The hours and days had been flying by since I started, and I barely even noticed it happening. I was so engrossed in all the changes that were keeping me so busy, at home and at work.
Forbidden Neighbor: A Contemporary Romance Boxset (Forbidden Saga Book 2) Page 28