“What? Doctor-patient confidentiality—”
“Aw. That’s cute of you.” Her lips twisted. “Ten bucks says daddy dearest had it leaked, so it would boost ratings for the season premiere.”
A pause. “Wait. Your father’s having a child? And you’re finding out like this?”
Her smile was humorless. “Oh, don’t worry. He already informed me of the blessed event during a charming call last week where he demanded I be on the show so the world could catch my reaction.”
“Wow.” Jacob thrust his hands in his pockets. “He sounds like a dick.”
The assessment made her laugh—she wasn’t sure why Jacob calling anyone a dick was hilarious, but it was. “He is.”
“How do you feel about it?”
“About what?”
“The baby.”
She glanced up. “I don’t care about it. Doesn’t affect me.”
If she expected him to be horrified or disgusted by her blunt, non-maternal, non-sisterly assessment of the fetus that was the combination of two people she despised, he didn’t let it show. There was no chastisement or assurance she would come to love the thing. He gave a thoughtful nod. “Okay.”
Though he didn’t ask for explanation, she gave it. “I mean, if it wants to talk to me or something when it’s of age, I won’t toss it out. And I feel for any kid raised in that kind of dysfunctional atmosphere, but honestly, what can I do?”
“Not much, I suppose.”
“If it’s anything like Chloe’s kids, it’ll grow up to be a rich, entitled jerk.”
“You didn’t grow up to be a rich, entitled jerk.”
She met his gaze. “Ninety-nine point nine percent of people who know me would say that’s exactly what I am.”
“What about the other point one percent?”
“They consist of my dead grandmother and people who are dumb enough to be my friends.” She arched an eyebrow. “Not a very large sample size, I think you can agree.”
“And me.”
The two words brought her to a halt. She stopped. Swallowed, her throat scratchy. “And you, I guess.”
“So…what now?”
“What do you mean?” She tucked her phone in her purse and squared her shoulders. “I need to get to my car.”
“Whoa.” Jacob blocked her when she made to walk out the exit. “We can’t go out there.”
She thought about that. “You’re absolutely right, or you’re going to be photographed. Won’t take long for people to figure out your identity and then the gossip will start.” She gave a quick nod. “You stay here. I’ll go out there, try to dispel the crowds, and then when it’s clear, I’ll motion you out.”
“Uh.” He grabbed her arm, halting her again. “You’re not going out there either, Akira.”
She looked at his hand on her arm, and then back up at him. Annoyance warred with tenderness, but the annoyance won. “There’s only one scenario where I take orders from a man, darling. And since we’re not naked, that’s not happening right now.”
If she expected him to blush or stammer, she would have been disappointed. A sizzle of heat flashed across his face, but then his stubborn scowl returned. “There are too many people out there. Can you get the guard…?”
She shook her head before he even finished talking. “I’m not forcing Steve to deal with this. As long as he keeps them out of the building, he’s done his job.”
“Then you’re not going out there. I’ve seen these paparazzo turn ugly.”
“What do you want me to do? Stay here all night? Because I assure you, they have the front and the delivery entrance covered as well.”
