“Fit into their perfect little world,” I echoed what I’d heard Sadie talking about so many times. “Yeah, I’ve heard that can be a bitch.”
As I looked at her, I wondered how it was possible that her family couldn’t understand what made her tick or how much fire she carried beneath that polished exterior. She smiled at me, shrugging as she turned to slide a mug out of the slot and handed it over to me.
“No one ever said life was going to be easy.” She slid her mug out next and wrapped her fingers around it. “Besides, I can take it. I was just tired of having to stare it in the face every day, so I quit.”
“What about now?” I asked. “Technically, you’re settled now.”
“Exactly.” A slow smile curved her lips. “My mother would be ecstatic. I wonder what she would say if she found out that even my impending marriage was just a business arrangement.”
Her eyes sparkled as she caught my gaze and I laughed quietly. “Last night didn’t really feel like business.”
She raised an eyebrow at me, her smile turning into a mischievous grin. “Oh? Well, that’s a pity. I was hoping to schedule another meeting with you tonight if you’re available.”
I chuckled. “Careful. I might have to start charging for all this overtime.”
She laughed, the sound bright and melodic, and leaned closer to me, flashing me a hint of cleavage as the top of her robe slipped open just a little bit. “I’ll consider it, but only if you promise to behave as my CEO.”
The sexual tension returned instantly, playful, but thicker and heavier than before. It was also undeniably real. I felt my chest tighten, my pulse spike. “I’ll behave.”
I wasn’t entirely sure that was true. As I took a sip of my coffee in an attempt to calm my body, I caught sight of the clock on the wall behind her. “Shit. I need to get going soon. The baby was born.”
She nearly choked on her coffee. “What?”
“Yep. Laney and Claire are both doing well, and apparently, Sterling is smug as hell. I’m meeting Jameson and Sadie at the hospital around eleven. Do you want to come with me?”
“Of course.” She froze for a second, then laughed. “Well, this changes my plans for the day. We need to get dressed and go shopping. We’ll need flowers, gifts, and balloons. The whole congratulatory parade.”
“Uh, we do? I figured we can just buy a stuffed animal from the hospital gift shop and call it a day.”
“No, sir.” She smirked at me. “Get your suit on, Mr. Westwood. We’re going shopping andnotat the hospital gift shop.”
I followed her lead, feeling like everything was falling into place. Aurelia and I were finally giving into the attraction that had been brewing between us, our parents knew about our engagement, and she was fitting into my family like she’d been born to be a Westwood.
It all felt so easy that I grinned on my way to her bedroom. Marrying a friend was the best idea I’d ever had.
This is going to be a breeze.
Of course, I should have known better. Like she’d said, no one had ever said that life would be easy, and I definitely hadn’t been prepared for just how hard it was about to become.
CHAPTER 28
AURELIA
Harrison and I walked into the hospital clutching a bouquet of pale pink roses we’d picked up along the way, a handful of balloons, and a few shopping bags overflowing with the cutest things I’d ever purchased in my life.
Laney owned a baby supply store, so we’d tried to buy things he thought she didn’t stock. We’d bought a lot of things for Laney, too, not only for Claire, but we’d also bought the most beautiful tiny designer outfits, the sweetest stuffed animals, and loads of baby scented bath products. The air inside the hospital buzzed with anxiety and relief, hope and heartbreak. Personally, I hated hospitals, but at least we were here for a happy occasion this time.
Harrison went straight down the hall with Jameson and Sadie when we arrived, but I hung back, not quite ready to intrude on the very first moment they saw their niece. Doubling back to the waiting room where we’d been last night, I slammed to a stop in the doorway when I saw her sitting there, CC Westwood.
She was perched elegantly in one of the sterile, uncomfortable waiting room chairs like a queen on a throne, her legs crossed, her coat draped over the arm, and her posturepainfully regal. The matriarch. I’d never really been face to face with her like this, but before I could decide between staying and escaping, her gaze landed on me, her expression cool but not unfriendly.
Assessing.
“Aurelia,” she said, her voice smooth and warm enough to be polite, but with an undercurrent that told me she was still skeptical. “Good morning. Harrison is finally here, then?”
“Mrs. Westwood,” I returned softly, moving into the room with the roses still clutched in my hands like a shield. “Yes, he is. He’s gone to meet her already.”
She glanced toward the hallway Harrison had disappeared into, then back at me. “You didn’t go with him.”
