Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 64406 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 322(@200wpm)___ 258(@250wpm)___ 215(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64406 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 322(@200wpm)___ 258(@250wpm)___ 215(@300wpm)
But she’d still had every intention of walking away when their time together was over, but Mother Nature had other ideas. And here they were.
She inhaled, and his scent filled her nostrils. Vanilla and spice, and she couldn’t help but lean into him and take a deeper breath.
“We need to talk.” The smile now lifting his lips told her she’d been caught smelling him before he sobered, looking serious. “I want to tell you what happened at the audition before you called and saw me covered in lipstick.”
She straightened her shoulders and moved back, giving herself space. “It’s fine. Honestly. You don’t owe me an explanation.” Nor did she want to know.
If she was going to survive them being co-parents, she didn’t need to hear about his love life. She might not believe in happily ever after, but she couldn’t deny jealousy when she felt it. And seeing that lipstick on his face had hurt.
“But I need to explain.”
“Drinks!” Raven said loudly as if she knew she was interrupting and wanted to announce herself. She placed the glasses on the table in front of them. “Food will be out soon.”
Once Raven walked away, Harrison turned back to her. “My ex was at the audition, and she wanted a role. She’s a big believer in the casting couch. That’s why we broke up in the first place.” His hands fisted on the table, turning his knuckles white.
Winter processed his words and came to the only conclusion she could. “She cheated on you to get a movie part?” she asked, horrified.
As a reporter who’d interviewed everyone from actors to popstars, she knew how things worked. She just couldn’t believe any sane woman would cheat on Harrison Dare.
“She did.” He ground his teeth at the memory. “I haven’t seen her in years, but she walked into the room uninvited after her audtion.” He shook his head. “It’s sad because her audition was great, but no way will I hire her.”
Winter studied him. “Why not?”
“First, she tried to convince me she wanted to get back together and when that ploy didn’t work, she offered to sleep with me in exchange for the part. She was making the offer and rubbing herself all over me when you called.”
Her eyes opened wide. “And that’s how you ended up with the lipstick.”
He nodded. “When the cell rang, I figured the call was saving me. I had no idea she’d left her imprint behind.”
Winter was unable to hold back a sigh, feeling bad for him. “I’m sorry you got caught up in that.”
“And I’m sorry you saw it and misinterpreted things. For good reason, but still.”
“So… it wasn’t what it looked like.” Just as he and Nikki had insisted.
All the tension inside her eased, and she hated that she was relieved he hadn’t been sleeping with someone right after learning Winter was having his baby. But she was.
“And here’s your meal!” Raven announced. She placed the dishes on the table, and a busboy gave each of them a plate to share the food.
Alone again, Harrison reached for her plate and scooped the delicious-looking mac and cheese onto one. He loaded a soft bun with the sloppy joe beef and sauce next. By the time he added the broccoli, her stomach was rumbling and her mouth was watering.
“I’m glad you’re hungry. How has the morning sickness been?” he asked, serving up his own lunch.
“Every day is different. Sick, not sick… right now, I’m fine.” And since she was starving, she intended to take advantage.
They ate in silence, Harrison seeming to realize she needed the time to devour her meal, which was in parts cheesy and all comfort food. He did the same.
The lull in conversation gave her time to think, and what she decided was that she needed to trust Harrison. There was nothing in what he said or did that led her to think he wasn’t sincere. He’d opened up to her, and she believed him. Her gut, the same one she trusted in her job, had her believing him now. Besides, her baby deserved a father, and she had to admit Harrison had begun to step up. He was trying.
Raven stopped by to refill their drinks and returned to clear the plates, leaving them alone again to talk.
It was her turn. Winter drew a deep breath. “I won’t keep you from your child. If you want to be a part of the whole process, I’ll keep you informed.”
He let out a relieved groan and grinned. She hoped their child inherited that smile and dimple. “That’s a good start. Thank you.”
After his revelation about his ex, he deserved some honesty, too. “I might not always do things the right way. You have to understand, I didn’t grow up with a father. I never had a man in my life I let get close. It was my mom and me, and I have a good relationship with my mentor, Erin Sawyer. But Mom died, and Erin moved to Washington, DC.” She shrugged. “I’m used to being alone.”