by Hamel, B. B.
I let out a little laugh. “Please. You’re this, like, badass journalist. I just get my boss’s dry cleaning.”
“Come on, it’s not about what job you do, it’s about who you are.”
I snort a little. “You sound like a self-help book.”
She draws herself up. “Maybe I should write one.”
“Oh, god, yeah. Totally. You’d sell millions.”
She purses her lips thoughtfully. “Sounds like a fun career to me.”
I groan and sip my coffee again. I feel my knee bouncing and I can’t seem to sit still. “Seriously, Lily.”
She smiles at me. “Listen, no matter what happens, I’ll be here for you. I promise, I’ll help you get through it.”
“Really?”
“I swear. I’ll come over every day and help you if I have to.”
“I can just move into your basement.”
She laughs at that. “I don’t think my husband would be happy about that.”
“He’d get over it.”
“True. Not like he has much say.”
I grin at her. “That makes me feel better.”
“And look, I know things are complicated with Finn, but he’s a good person. Or at least you seem to think he is.”
“I’m not sure,” I say honestly.
“Come on. I don’t think you’d want to work with him so badly if he were a bad person, right?”
I hesitate. “I guess not.”
“So it’ll be okay. He’s not evil. He won’t bail on you.”
I groan again. “I hate when you’re right.”
She grins at me. “It happens a lot, so get used to it.”
I have a witty reply all set up but my phone starts ringing. I pull it out of my bag and frown at the screen before holding it up for Lily to see.
“He’s calling early,” she notes.
“I know. Wonder what he wants.” I hesitate before answering. “Hi, Finn,” I say.
“Good morning.” He clears his throat. “Listen, I need a favor.”
“Okay,” I say.
“I didn’t wake you, right?”
“I’ve been up.”
“Good.” He hesitates. “Come meet me in Rittenhouse.”
I frown a little. “What do you need?”
“I’ll show you when you get here.”
“Mysterious.”
“I know. But you’ll like it.”
I sigh and glance at Lily. She grins at me and nods like I should keep going. “Okay, fine.”
“Good. When can you get here?”
“Uh, soon.”
“See you soon then.”
He hangs up and I shake my head slowly. “That was Finn. He wants me to meet him in the park right now.”
She laughs, totally delighted. “We’re talking about him and it’s like he’s summoned.”
“I know. Spooky.”
“Or he has your phone bugged.”
“Could be.” I stare at my coffee. “Should I go?”
“Of course you should.”
“I don’t know.”
“Come on, Eden. You’ve gotta get over this. Give the guy a chance.” She leans toward me. “Maybe he was a bastard before you, but he’s the father of your child. There’s no getting past that. You might as well give it a try.”
“And what if he leaves me worse than I am now?” I ask her softly. “I’m so afraid already. What happens when he makes me feel good and then leaves?”
She hesitates but only for a second. “You’re strong,” she says. “We’ll figure it out. But you can’t just not try.”
I nod slowly and stand. “Okay. Fine.”
“Atta girl.”
“Tell the family I said hello. Where are they, anyway?”
“Oh, the husband took them out for breakfast.”
“And left you here?”
She grins at me. “A little break.”
“Good guy.”
“Maybe Finn will do the same for you.”
I laugh a little. “I can’t imagine him taking kids all himself.”
“He has money. He’ll hire people to do it.”
I grin at her. “Good point.”
“Good luck.”
I head to the door, take a deep breath, and step outside.
Rittenhouse Park isn’t too far from where Lily lives so I decide to walk. It takes about ten minutes and it’s a nice morning so I don’t mind making Finn wait.
I find him sitting on a bench toward the back corner next to a wide patch of shady grass. He spots me and waves as I head over. He’s holding a big paper bag and a rolled-up blanket is tucked under his arm.
“Hungry?” he asks.
I raise an eyebrow. “Did you invite me out here for breakfast in the park?”
He grins and walks over onto the grass. I follow him and watch as he sets up the blanket. He sits down and I hesitate before joining him.
“What’s this about?” I ask. “If you’re about to tell me I need to work overtime, that’s fine, but it’ll cost you.”
He laughs and shakes his head. “No, nothing like that. I just… wanted to see you.”
I frown and sip my coffee. He gets out bagels with cream cheese, little Danishes, and donuts. I take a Danish and nibble at it as he opens up a bagel and takes a bite.
“Okay, I gotta admit, this is kind of nice,” I say.
“It’s one of my favorite things to do in this city,” he says. “I don’t get to do it often anymore, though.” He cocks his head. “What about you, what’s your favorite spot?”
“I’m not sure,” I admit. “I like the waterfront, you know, that park place with all the food stalls and stuff?”
“The Harbor Park?”
“Yeah, that place. When it’s not too crowded, it’s like the best spot around.”
He nods with a smile. “Yeah, true. But good luck getting there when it’s not too crowded.”
I lean back with a smile. He’s right, it’s always mobbed, but still.
“You know, I keep thinking a city like Philly is too small for a guy like you.”
“What’s that mean?”
I shrug a little. “I mean, you’re this rich and famous guy, right? Philly’s a small town.”
“True, but I like small towns.”
“You just seem more like the New York type.”
He’s quiet for a second. “Maybe I used to be,” he says softly. “But I think I’ve grown a lot. That whole lifestyle, it’s not my thing. Hasn’t been for a little while now.”
“Really?” I ask. “I mean, you were still…”
He arches an eyebrow. “Sleeping with Polish ambassadors’ daughters?”
“Pretty much.”
He laughs softly. “True, but I think even that was dying down before I met you.”
I chew on my food and sip my coffee in silence for a bit. He doesn’t push conversation and I’m surprised by how comfortable I feel. I expected this to be a little weird and forced but actually sitting here in the shade on a nice sunny morning is really…
Peaceful. And comfortable. I could see doing this for a long, long time.
People are walking past. I spot a little family, two kids and a dog, moving through the thin crowd. “Did you ever want kids?” I ask him suddenly.
He hesitates. “I used to think I didn’t, but…” He trails off. “I might be changing my mind.”
“Another surprise. I almost don’t believe you.”
He grins at me. “I know, I get it. You think I’m this vapid playboy billionaire. But the truth is, even I’m starting to think people need to settle down sooner or later.”
I watch him carefully. His beautiful eyes don’t blink and he’s smiling slightly. He’s leaning toward me and I’m struck suddenly by how attractive he is and how often he stares at me like I’m the only pretty girl alive. There are other women in this park, some of them probably worth some attention, but he just… he doesn’t look away. I’m the only person in the world for him.
It’s intoxicating. He’s always like this and I’m just now realizing how good it makes me feel.
“I guess I believe you. I just don’t know if you’re ready to settle down right now.”
He snorts. “Who said anything about settling down?”
I glare at him. “I’m pregnant with your baby.”
“I know,” he says softly. “I was kidding.”
I glare hard. “Not funny.”
“Look, you know what I want from you. I want you and I want my baby in my life. I know you’re scared, nervous, afraid, all of those things. But you don’t have to do this alone.”
I force myself to look away. It’s like he can read my mind, like he knows what I’m thinking. Or maybe he really does have my freaking phone bugged.
“I think you mean it,” I say finally.
He laughs. “Well, good. So can we just have a nice breakfast in the park now and stick to more pleasant topics?”
“Fine.” I frown. “Like what?”
“Well, you can start by telling me what you’ve been watching on TV lately.”
I hesitate before we get into a totally normal, totally banal conversation about what we watch on TV, followed by what we read, followed by movies we’ve seen, and soon we’re talking endlessly about music.
And that’s how I pass my Saturday morning. We don’t get naked, we don’t fight. We don’t talk about anything serious, unless you think ‘80s pop music is serious, which I happen to.
We just talk about nothing, about things we like, about boring stuff. It’s really nice and comfortable and when we’re done, we part ways with a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
And as I’m walking home, it hits me.
That was a date. I mean, a real date. We didn’t have sex in his office or something like that. It was just a date where we talked about our lives and got to know each other.
I’m smiling for the rest of the afternoon.
12
Finn
I feel like things are starting to fall into place around me.
Everything except for this Maxwell problem, at least.
I managed to talk my Polish friends into sticking with my company, for now at least. But I know Maxwell isn’t going to stop at some stupid little rumors. If I’m going to fight back, I need a little ammunition.
“Mr. Brag, thanks for seeing me,” I say to the stocky bald man lingering in my office door.
“Call me Braxton,” he says and walks in. We shake hands and the man slowly sits down in one of the chairs. He’s holding a folder in one hand and he’s wearing what looks like a cheap suit.
I don’t let any of that bother me. Braxton Brag is one of the best private detectives in the entire city. He came highly recommended to me by a friend of mine, a very prominently placed lawyer friend. Braxton isn’t cheap but money isn’t exactly the issue here.
“Mr. Kelly, I’ll be straight with you,” Braxton says, leaning forward and looking me in the eye. “I can’t promise there’s dirt anywhere near the guy you want me to look at. But I can promise that if there is something, I’ll find it.”
I can’t help but smile. “There’s something.”
He grunts a little and opens the folder in his hand. “I suspect so, too.” He clears his throat. “Maxwell. Barney, son of the prominent Maximillian Barney, now deceased, came into a lot of money when his daddy passed.” Braxton glances at me. “Weird how rich people like to name their kids after themselves.”
I give him a smile. “What else?”
He looks back at the folder and whistles. “Looks like he’s married to even more money.”
I wince a little bit. His wife is notoriously unpleasant, one of the smartest, meanest people I know. I suspect she’s the reason behind Maxwell’s success, but I can’t say for sure.
“I don’t know exactly what I want you to look for,” I tell the private eye. “But if it can drive a wedge between Maxwell and his wife, that would be ideal.”
“Infidelity is usually pretty easy,” he says, nodding. “How fast do you need this?”
“Immediately.”
He nods. “Won’t be cheap.”
“Won’t matter.”
“Good. Then I’ll start right away.” The man stands. He looks so normal, no nondescript, which is probably why he’s such a good detective. People don’t notice him when he’s trying to follow them.
I come around the desk and we shake one more time.
“If it’s there, I’ll get it,” he says.
“Thank you.”
He nods and leaves. I sigh and lean against my desk before noticing Eden standing in my office door.
“Come in,” I say, gesturing for her to shut the door behind her.
She steps inside, letting the door close softly, before facing me. “Who was that?”
“That was the most expensive private detective I could find.”
She frowns. “Seriously?”
“If Maxwell’s going to play dirty…” I trail off with a shrug.
“Are you sure you want to do that?” She chews her cheek and glances away.
“What’s wrong?”
She hesitates just a second. “Forget it.”
“No, go ahead. Say what’s on your mind.”
“You don’t need to stoop to his level to win, Finn.”
I watch her carefully for a moment before crossing my arms. “Why not?”
“Because you’re smarter and better than him.”
“All that’s true.”
“If he wants to play dirty games, let him. It won’t work. Didn’t work with the Polish people.”
“True,” I admit. “But that was just a start. I mean, a rumor is one thing, but…”
“Do you have skeletons?”
I laugh. “Of course I do.”
“Like what?”
I grin at her. “Affairs. Lots of them.”
“You’ve been with… married women?”
“Not on purpose,” I admit. “And when I find out the truth, I always end it right away. I’m not that kind of man, but I can’t control what women decide to keep from me.”
She chews her cheek again and sighs. “I still don’t think you need it.”
“You’re probably right,” I say softly. “But the truth is, I want to beat Maxwell more than anything. And I guess I’m willing to go to some lengths to make it happen.”
She walks over and sits down in one of my chairs. I go back around my desk and sit behind it, moving forward and lean over and look at her.
She’s always so beautiful, even when she’s so damn worried. I can’t blame her though. She’s as tied into this venture as I am. Well, maybe not quite, but she clearly wants this all to work out. She’s banking on us succeeding and on me taking her places.
Which is exactly what I plan on doing. But unfortunately, I can’t promise everything will work out just right.
“Take the afternoon off,” I say suddenly.
She arches an eyebrow. “Why?”
“Because I say so.”
“We have work to do, you know.”
“Fuck work. I have a room nearby.”
She gapes at me. “You think I’m going to skip out and, what, go to some motel with you?”
“It’s a suite at the most expensive hotel in the city, but yes, that’s more or less right.”
She shakes her head. “Come on. You’re crazy.”
“Come with me,” I say more urgently this time. “I’ve been thinking about you ever since Saturday morning. You have to see what I really feel, don’t you?”
She looks away and I know she’s thinking. I feel my heart beating fast and my stomach feels like it’s in knots. Fucking hell, I never get nervous like this, but I’m like a little kid around her.
I love this feeling, if I’m honest. I’ve been so jaded for so long but somehow she makes me young again. All that excitement is back and I feel it stronger now more than ever. I want this girl and I need to make it happen.
I used to think Maxwell was a fool for getting married. I mean, why give up all this freedom?
But now I see that with the right woman, the perfect woman, she can just make you better.
I think Eden can do that for me. I think she can make me stronger. And in return, I want to make her happy, take care of her, give her pleasure. Fucking hell, I want to take pleasure from her, too. And most of all, I want that baby.
I want stability. I want a family. I’m ready for it, probably been ready for a long time. I just need her to see it.
Maybe taking her to a hotel in the middle of the day to fuck her brains out isn’t the best way to get her to see how serious I am, but shit, I’m not perfect.
“I don’t know,” she says. “It seems like a bad idea.”
“It won’t seem like that once my tongue’s between your legs.”
She blushes and hesitates before nodding once.
That’s all the response I need. I shut down my computer, grab my jacket, and lead her back out into the main room. She gathers her things and we leave together. It’s not unusual to see us walk out as a pair, so I don’t worry about the rest of the office seeing.
I mean, how could they know that I’m about to take her to a luxurious room to fuck her rough and deep? I almost want to announce it to everyone.
Instead, I text my driver and hurry outside, excitement building with every step.
13
Eden
Leaving in the middle of the day for a quickie with your boss sounds like the premise for a really bad relationship. I mean, it’s the seedy motel sort of thing that always goes badly.
Except the room he takes me to is far from seedy.
It’s gorgeous, actually. Lush carpets, gold trim, beautiful furniture. It looks like the kind of suite people used to go to in the ‘50s or something like that, except only for the ultra-wealthy.
“I didn’t even know a place like this could exist,” I say.
He grins at me and walks over to a bar along the far right wall. He pours himself what looks like whiskey and takes a sip. “Of course it exists,” he says. “The world exists to make rich people happy. The richer people get, the more lavish their surroundings. It’s just capitalism.”
I roll my eyes at him. “Thanks, boss. I didn’t realize I needed a lesson in finance.”