Ourbaby—for the hundredth time.
And no, it wasn’t a proposal. I was just planting the seed. (Although technically, I think I did that already).
Have a good day, gorgeous. See you tonight.
Cole
The day seems to drag on forever. I spin by the house I rented to freshen up before we pick up Zara. It’s a two-storey mansion in Skerries, nestled into the cliff, overlooking the Irish Sea. As I look around the huge oakwood kitchen and floor to ceiling sliding doors showcasing the turquoise crashing waves, my mind wanders to my father.
Coming back to Ireland was his dream, and while I was determined to establish our name here in the hotel business, I had no plans to lay roots here, yet now, I’m wondering howmuch this place would cost to buy, because if I’m raising a family, it’s not going to be in some cold chrome penthouse. It’s going to be in a proper home, with a garden and swings and a pool. It’s going to be overflowing with warmth, love, and laughter.
I couldn’t have predicted it in a million years, but somehow, it feels right. I think I’m finally where I’m meant to be. My father always intended to return to Ireland, but my mother was never keen. He loved her more than his home country. He used to shrug, take a sip of whiskey and say, ‘Life’s what happens while you’re busy making plans.’
That rings true today more than ever.
Because while I planned on being here for three months before moving on to the Barcelona project, I’m not going fucking anywhere.
Not until my baby is born.
Not until I can persuade his mother to give me a chance—a real chance with her.
And not while there’s breath left in my body.
As usual, I’m getting completely carried away with myself.
But it’s got me this far in life, so why stop now?
I pluck my phone from my pocket and scroll until I find the agent overseeing the rental of this place.
I want it, and, I think I mentioned before, I always get what I want.
Chapter Thirty-Four
ZARA
‘Do I look okay?’ I ask Nico for the twentieth time, fluffing my hair. I got a blow out at lunch time—big bouncing curls that rest just above my breasts.
‘No, honey, you don’t look okay.’ His eyes rove over my outfit—I showered and changed into a little black Givenchy dress. ‘You look fucking sensational.’
‘Is it too much?’ My hands smooth over the velvet clinging to my bump.
‘For a date with one of America’s hottest billionaires, and your baby daddy—never!’ Nico swats the air in front of his face.
Butterflies swarm in my stomach. I’ve reread Cole’s emails a hundred times today. His possessiveness should be yet another giant red flag, but for some reason, it feels like a white one—offering peace, a safe place, maybe even sanctuary at a time when I’ve felt utterly fucking alone—even with my family smothering me.
He was obviously joking about moving in with him.
He had to be, right?
‘It’s not really a date, more of a discussion,’ I remind him.
‘Yeah, you keep telling yourself that, Z.’ Nico laughs. ‘Maybe that way, your lingerie will stay on.’
I roll my eyes. ‘Please give me some credit. You know I don’t put out on the first date—ever.’
Nico closes the distance between us. ‘Well, you fucking should. Apart from the fact you dated him for half of January, what’s the worst that could happen? You could get pregnant?’ he teases.
