“No. She is getting married to Wes here. My dad. The one who stepped up and takes care of us. So, keep on walking to wherever you’re headed, and forget you ever saw me. Because I know I will.” She walked away.
“Do you really blame her?” I asked.
“No. Not at all. Here, let me give you my number. I’ll be in New York for the next month on business. I would like to get to know my daughter.”
“Don’t hold your breath,” I said as I walked away.
I ran and caught up with Zoey.
“I don’t want ice cream anymore. I want to go home.”
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine.” She wiped the tears from her eyes.
The ride back to the brownstone was a quiet one.
“How are we going to explain to your mom why we’re together?”
“I don’t care. Tell her what you want.”
We climbed out of the car and went inside the house.
Chapter Forty-Four
Samantha
“Hey, you two. Wait. Why are you and Zoe together? Why are you home early?” I held Charlotte over my shoulder, patting her back.
Zoey tore up the stairs.
“Wes, what’s going on?”
He ran his hand down his face as he kicked off his shoes, walked over to the bar, and poured himself a drink.
“Wes?”
“I don’t know where to start,” he sighed.
“Okay. You’re freaking me out.”
“Sam, there’s nothing to be freaked out about. Shit. Fuck.” I tipped the glass to my lips. “I have no choice but to tell you.”
“Tell me what?” I narrowed my eyes.
“Zoey had Ben drive her to my office. She told me about the dress and how upset you were. Sit down on the couch, please.”
“Okay.” She sat down with the baby.
“I was pissed because nobody upsets my fiancée likethat. Anyway, I called a friend of mine. His name is Robert. He owns the building where Kleinfeld’s is. Before I could ask him for a favor, he told me he was putting the building up for sale, along with the other buildings he owns. He asked if I was interested. I was, so I agreed to buy them. Then Zoey and I went to Kleinfeld’s, and I had a chat with the owner, who graciously agreed to let you buy the dress.”
“You bought a building so I could have my dress?” I cocked my head.
“I did. And yes, I know. Rich people’s problems. No need to remind me.” I finished off my drink.
“I don’t understand. Why did Zoey look like she’d been crying and run up the stairs?”
“We were walking down the street to the ice cream shop, and a man stopped us. He asked Zoey if she was related to you.”
