by Kelly Myers
“I’m going to go so you can talk to James,” Laurel says and gives me another hug. “Everything is going to be okay, Ash. Just follow your heart.”
After Laurel leaves, I text James back and tell him to come over. At this rate, I may as well just confess everything. Get it over with.
He arrives ten minutes later and it’s like a huge weight was lifted from his shoulders. His happy-go-lucky personality is back and he gives me a kiss on the cheek as he walks inside. I envy him and wish that for myself, too.
“Thank you for coming with me earlier. It meant a lot,” he says.
“You’re welcome. Want anything to drink?”
When he sees the two glasses of wine on the kitchen table he stops short. “Did I interrupt something?”
I sweep them off the table and put them in the sink. “Laurel just left.”
“Oh,” he says, trying to sound nonchalant. But, I can hear the relief in his voice. He probably thought Drew was here. “How’s she doing?”
“Fine.”
James drops into a chair and eyes me. “How are you?”
I can see the concern in his face and something in me breaks. I burst into tears, my entire body shaking so hard that he jumps up and pulls me into an embrace.
“Ash? What the hell’s going on? Why’re you so upset?”
Once I get myself under control again, I pull out of his arms and release an unsteady breath. “I’m pregnant,” I say, and his jaw drops. Before he can say anything, I continue, “And, I’m in love with Drew.”
James looks away, thinks a long moment before he finally nods his head. “I can’t say I’m surprised.”
I blink. “You’re not?”
“I don’t think a blind man would’ve missed the looks that kept passing between the two of you during that meeting.”
“What looks?”
He tilts his head and frowns. “C’mon, Ash. I have eyes. I think the entire Board of Directors figured out something was going on.”
“Oh, no, that’s so embarrassing,” I say and cover my face with my hands.
“Well, you guys weren’t very subtle. So, what’s going on? Does he know about the baby?”
“No.”
He eyes me, considers his next words carefully. “Here’s the thing, Ash. I don’t know exactly what’s going on between the two of you, but I have never known Drew Carson to back down from a takeover. Ever. He lives for that shit. It’s why he’s so successful.” He reaches for my hand and squeezes it. “He has feelings for you. Everyone in that room saw.”
“I wish I believed that,” I say.
“I think you should talk to him.”
“How could it ever work between us? You hate him,” I add in a raspy whisper.
“Trust me, my feelings aren’t that strong for Drew,” he says in a sarcastic tone, and I can’t help but smile. “Sure, we might have some bad blood, but I still have my company. He could’ve taken it. I know he wanted it, but he walked away. Because of you.”
Maybe he and Laurel are right. If Drew still cares about me then I need to find out. “If-if this somehow works out between us, do you think you two will be able to get along?”
“Do not tell him this…” he says slowly, and I nod, “but, it’s hard not to admire the man. His work ethic and his success are remarkable.” His voice dips and I know it pains him to admit what he says next. “Maybe I could even learn a thing or two from him.”
“I love you, James,” I say, and throw myself into his arms.
“Love you, too, sis,” he says. “And, no matter what happens, you know I support you.”
“I know.”
“I mean, what am I supposed to do? Abandon my knocked-up, little sister?”
I punch his arm and we laugh.
Maybe things aren’t as dire as I believe. Maybe, just maybe, Drew and I have a chance.
Unfortunately, I haven’t heard a word from him all day. And, that makes me nervous. Has he finally given up on us? I wonder.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Drew
After racking my brain for far too long about what the perfect plan is to win Ashley back, I finally decide to just drive over there. Armed with a bouquet of daisies and a gallon of mint chocolate chip ice cream, I hear my phone beep with a text.
I look down and see a number I don’t recognize. When I open the text, it says, “Man up and go see my sister, Carson. Otherwise, I’m coming over to kick your ass. James.”
For a second, I’m confused. James Douglas is telling me to see his sister? He wants me to go to Ashley? I can’t wrap my head around it.
She must want to see me, I think, and my heart soars. What else could it be?
A wave of nervousness erupts within me and, for a moment, I almost pull over to the side of the road and throw up. But, it passes. I clench the steering wheel in my hands and hit the gas harder. The Lamborghini’s engine roars as I maneuver it away from Pacific Heights, pass through Presidio Heights and Laurel Heights, and head toward the Inner Richmond.
Ashley’s neighborhood lies just west of mine and behind The Presidio. It’s practical, comfortable and boasts a plethora of fantastic eateries, good shops and a fog that rolls in early every afternoon.
I pull up to her small apartment and I’m lucky enough to find parking right out front. I hope my luck continues and that she lets me inside. My nerves kick in and it’s now or never. Otherwise, the ice cream is going to melt all over my front seat.
With the daisies in one hand and mint chocolate chip ice cream in the other, I walk up to Ashley’s door, take a deep breath and knock.
A moment later, she opens the door. I can tell she’s surprised to see me, but then she quickly covers her emotions.
“Hi,” I say, a little breathless. She wears pajamas and her blonde hair is pulled back in a low ponytail. Her blue-green eyes look red and a little puffy. There’s a sadness that emanates from her and I know it’s my fault.
And, that makes me feel like the biggest jerk in the world.
My gaze soaks her in, so happy to see her, and I think she looks utterly beautiful.
All of a sudden, everything I practiced earlier goes out of my mind. I stand there, heart in my throat, and, for the life of me, I can’t remember what I was going to say.
“Hi,” she says, her voice wary.
“Can I come in?”
“Drew-”
I can hear the “just leave” tone creeping into her voice and stop her before she can turn me away. “Will you hear me out? Please?” I ask.
She lets out a low breath and nods.
“First, I want to apologize. I should’ve given up going after JD Unlimited the second you told me it was your brother’s company. The moment you asked me, I should’ve walked away and I regret that I didn’t.” She doesn’t say anything and I take that as a good sign. It means she’s willing to listen to me. “I’m not going to lie. I’m used to getting my own way and telling people what to do.”
“I’ve noticed,” she comments in a dry voice.
Okay, I deserve that, I think. “You’re the first person I’ve ever met that doesn’t just roll over and do what I say. You constantly challenge me and I’m starting to think that’s a good thing.”
“Someone needs to keep your big ego in check,” she sniffs.
The hint of a smile touches my lips. God, I love this woman. She’s got this feisty side that keeps me on my toes and I’m incredibly grateful that she doesn’t take my shit.
“Ashley, I know I can be a royal pain in the ass at times, but you’re helping me see how to be a better person. I don’t alway make the right decision, but you make me see things in a new light. I always just thought that it was about making as much money as possible. That, in order to be successful, I needed to take control and take what I want. But, I’m seeing there’s another side to things. That people aren’t corporations. They have feelings. And, it isn’t always about dominating everyone else and forcing things to go my way.”
; I shift the melting ice cream, prop it on my hip and feel the wet imprint it leaves. “I gave up your brother’s company for a few reasons, but I’m not giving up on you.”
I think I see relief sweep over her face. But, I can’t be quite sure yet. She’s being so quiet and that makes me nervous. Time to reveal my hand and go for broke, I decide.
“You’re the best thing that ever happened to me,” I say. I take a deep breath and then spill it: “I love you, Ashley.”
“Oh, Drew…” she whispers.
My heart sinks. Her tone sounds sad, full of regret. My head spins. She doesn’t love me or else she would’ve thrown herself in my arms and returned the words. Suddenly, it feels like the walls are closing in and I struggle to catch my breath. I lean against the front porch pillar for support, accidentally smashing the daisies.
“There’s something I need to tell you,” she says.
My head snaps up. “Is there someone else?” I ask. This jealousy thing sucks, but every time I think of her and another man, it rears its ugly head.
She tilts her head, seems to consider my words. “Kind of,” she says. When she sees the expression on my face, she holds up a hand. “Not another man,” she clarifies, and my shoulders sag in relief. “A baby,” she says in a quick breath.
At first, I’m not sure I heard her right. A baby? “You’re-”
“Pregnant, yes.”
I’m stunned, although I guess I really shouldn’t be. It was that night at the benefit. That wild, crazy moment where we lost ourselves in each other. It was one of the best nights of my life.
I feel a huge smile break out across my face, and my dimple beams. “We’re going to have a baby?” It’s not fully sinking in and I need her to keep telling me until I believe it. I need her in my arms.
“I’m going to have a baby, but don’t worry. I won’t ask you for a thing.”
“Are you crazy?” I ask. “I’m going to give you and that little baby the world. You don’t have to ask. Everything I have is yours, Leigh.”
When her eyes shine with tears, I feel my own begin to burn. Fuck, do not cry, Drew, I tell myself. Twice in less than 24 hours? This is ridiculous. Who am I?
“You don’t need me,” she says. “You have billions.”
“Without you, I have nothing. I’m lost,” I say, my eyes flashing. “Don’t you understand? None of it means anything. I love you and I want you to be my wife.”
A tear slips down her cheek and then she throws herself against me. “Yes,” she whispers. “I would love that.” Relief floods through my body and I wrap my arms around her. The soggy ice cream container drips green melty liquid on us and we pull apart, unable to stop smiling.
She lifts her hand and licks a spattering of liquified ice cream off its back.
“I’m sorry,” I say, spreading my arms wide so it drips away from us. I remember that I still hold the smashed daisies and hand them over to her with a crooked smile. “For you.”
“Thank you,” she says with a small laugh. “C’mon in and let’s put what’s left of that in the freezer.”
When she holds out a sticky hand, I take it and follow her inside.
After we wash our hands in the kitchen, I wrap my arms around her waist and pull her in for a kiss. It’s long, deep and soul-destroying. God, I’ve missed this. Her taste, her touch, her smell. No one compares to Ashley and I am overwhelmed with love for her.
Especially, when she takes my hand and guides me down to her bedroom.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Ashley
I feel like I’m in a dream and I never want to wake up.
Drew loves me. It’s all I want and more. He’s happy about the baby and he wants us in his life. I feel so content and I know that our future is bright and full of so much love.
When we walk into my bedroom, he takes a look around and smiles. I’m not sure if it’s the fluffy, sunshine-yellow comforter dotted with flowers or the stuffed teddy bear on my bed. “Always so girly,” he teases.
“You love it. Especially all my high heels,” I add with a sly smile.
With a low growl, he sweeps me off my feet and lowers me onto the bed. His large body slides up mine and he captures my mouth. The slow, sensuous movement of his lips against mine becomes more urgent and his tongue delves inside. Hot electricity flows between us.
“God, I’ve missed you,” he says, covering my face with kisses.
I open my eyes and his midnight gaze fuses with mine. He pulls my pajamas off and I help him out of his clothes and then our bodies move against one another, flesh hot and ready.
When his mouth dips and his silky tongue swirls over my breasts, I arch my back and whimper. The peaks crest and harden beneath his touch and I feel my temperature skyrocket when one of his hands slips between my thighs.
“You feel so good,” he says and tortures me into a frenzy.
I moan and twist beneath his roaming fingers. “I want you inside me,” I say. “Now.”
A low chuckle escapes him and I feel his warm breath at my ear. “Whatever you say, honey.”
He lifts my hips and plunges deep. I cry out and clench around him, trying to draw him even further inside me. We begin to move together and he lifts my hands over my head, fingers twining through mine. Faster, harder. Our bodies move, rock, push to the limit. Our hearts thunder and our souls meld together like never before.
We connect on every possible level and love for him bursts within me.
At the same time, I feel our bodies shudder and climax. It’s like a million butterfly wings kiss my insides and I cry out Drew’s name. With a groan, he manages to rasp my name back, then drops down, covering me with his heavy body.
He pulls up, supporting his weight on his elbows, lowers a hand and curves it around my face. “I love you, Leigh,” he says, his voice raw.
“I love you, too,” I whisper.
Then, he tilts my chin up and kisses me thoroughly. As though his very life depends on it.
Drew and I go back to his place and lock ourselves up for the entire weekend. We talk, we plan and we love each other in ways that leave me breathless and covered in goosebumps. He can be so considerate and kind. He asks me a million questions about the baby. I have a feeling that he’s going to want to plan out his or her entire future before I even give birth.
It’s kind of adorable.
He invites me to move in right away and I can’t believe I’m going to call this massive mansion on Billionaire’s Row my home. “Do whatever you want with it,” he says. “Re-decorate anything. I just want you to feel like it’s your home, too.”
“Can we get matching batmobiles?” I ask with a grin.
He bursts out laughing. “Whatever you want, honey.”
But, I’m only teasing. I can’t imagine driving a car that expensive. It would give me anxiety. And, anyway, I like my trusty Honda.
Besides, there’s no place for a baby seat in the Lamborghini, I tell him. He thinks for a minute and next thing I know he starts talking about a Range Rover. After all, he says, that’s what you said I’d look good in.
That’s not exactly what I had said, but I just kiss the tip of his nose and say it’s a great idea.
At some point, when I start to talk about James and my Mom, Drew shows me James’ text: “Man up and go see my sister, Carson. Otherwise, I’m coming over to kick your ass. James.”
I smile and feel my eyes flood with tears. “That makes me really happy,” I tell him.
“Oh, you want him to kick my ass?”
“Not at this moment,” I admit. “I would like you to come to Sunday dinner, though.”
“I’d love to. How do you think your Mom and James are going to react?”
“She’ll be thrilled,” I say confidently. “Don’t forget, my Mom had James when she was only 18. She’s always had this wild, free side and she’ll see having a grandchild as a fun, new chapter in her life. And, you, marriage and a baby as a new adventure for me. And, James...”
/> I feel a wave of emotion. “He just wants me to be happy.”
Drew takes my hand in his and brushes a kiss along the back of my knuckles. “We’re going to be fine,” Drew says. Then, in a gruff voice, he adds, “I always did admire his tenacity.”
“He may or may not have mentioned admiring a thing or two about you also,” I say, but don’t reveal anything further. He raises a dark brow in curiosity, but that’s a conversation for them to have, I decide. After all, they were going to be brothers-in-law very soon.
Drew insists on getting me an engagement ring as soon as possible. He makes one call and schedules an appointment for someone to come over from Harry Winston. Known as the “Jeweler to the Stars,” his diamonds have adorned red carpets since the Academy Awards in 1944 and I feel it’s a little unnecessary.
“Drew, I really don’t need a fancy-”
He holds up a hand and gives me a look that tells me I’m not going to change his mind. “You’re going to have the best I can give you, so get used to it,” he says, and kisses my forehead.
And, I have to admit I have quite a good time sitting down with the jeweler from the world-renowned company and designing my ring.
Drew, of course, asks who had the most expensive engagement ring ever. The jeweler tells us the story of the Taylor-Burton diamond, originally cut by Harry Winston into a pear shape that weighed 69.42 carats. Richard Burton fought to obtain the ring after he lost it to Cartier at auction and, 24 hours later, he paid over one million dollars, securing the ring for Elizabeth Taylor, because, as he said, “I wanted that diamond because it is incomparably lovely...and it should be on the loveliest woman in the world.”
I love that story. Some people are lucky enough to find the love of a lifetime who will do anything for them. And, I know I’m a part of that small group. Drew would do absolutely anything for me and just thinking about his love for me makes my eyes misty.