“Just remember, you have what they need so if they don’t take you up on it, you still have it. It’s their loss.”

  Paisley appreciated the words. “Is that what you do?”

  He gave a short nod. “Absolutely. I know what they need and if they don’t want it, I’m moving on to someone who does. Not going to waste my time on someone that doesn’t see what’s in front of them.”

  The smile that invaded her face couldn’t be stopped. That was exactly how she imagined Luke being, very take it or leave it.

  “Oh my gosh! Luke?” A blonde woman came running over and threw her arms around Luke’s neck, practically smothering him with her cleavage.

  He disentangled himself, gently pushing her away. “That was inappropriate,” Luke scolded the other woman. “I am at lunch with my fiancée and son. Please leave.” His tone left no room for arguments.

  “Luke,” she whined, clearly unable to read the clues.

  “I won’t say it again. I already asked you to leave us alone. If you continue to behave like this, I will have security remove you.” Luke straightened the cuffs on his shirt, not bothering to look back at the woman.

  Paisley watched as indecision warred in the other woman. She was persistent, that much was clear, but she had to decide if the risk of further humiliation was worth it.

  “Good luck with him. He will drop you one day for another woman too. It’s all he does,” she sneered at Paisley.

  Luke put his hands on the table, preparing to stand. Paisley reached over, placing her hand on his as she looked at the woman.

  “I don’t believe we know the same man,” Paisley explained. “Luke is a devoted father and fiancé, who I am proud to be here with. Clearly, you know what a great guy he is or you wouldn’t have run over like you did, embarrassing yourself in front of the whole restaurant by shoving yourself in his face with complete disregard for who he is with. I assure you, the problem isn’t him.”

  She gaped at Paisley before storming off in a huff.

  Luke’s quiet chuckle reached her ears. “Here I was worried you’d be mad at me for her doing that.”

  “Did you call her over here?” Paisley asked, already knowing the answer.

  “Of course not,” Luke scoffed.

  “Then what reason would I have to be mad at you over her behavior? You asked her to leave, warned her even. It is what it is.”

  Luke’s jaw fell open for a moment before he recovered.

  “Don’t get me wrong, I won’t be able to handle it if it keeps happening.”

  “Fair.”

  “We will also talk about the fiancée comment,” she whispered.

  Luke nodded and took a bite of his pasta.

  She smirked to herself, knowing that Luke always hid behind his food when he wasn’t sure what to say. She was honestly not mad at him over that woman’s behavior. It was humiliating and out of his control, but being mad about his past wouldn’t solve anything.

  Luke had certainly changed and she knew that. It was frustrating that he claimed her as his fiancée even though he’d only recently told her they weren’t going to get married right now.

  “Sir, I want to apologize for the interruption earlier. Is there anything I can do to make up for it?” a man in a dark suit said as he approached the table.

  “All is well,” Luke answered.

  “Very well.” The man nodded. “If you think of anything, please let me know.”

  Luke nodded at the man. As he walked away, Luke leaned toward her, whispering, “He’s the manager here. Very concerned about patrons who spend a lot of money.”

  “I can imagine so,” Paisley replied.

  “Are you ready to go?” Luke asked, noting that she was just pushing food around on her plate.

  Paisley nodded absently. Luke paid the bill and picked up Garrett as she let her thoughts roam free.

  While she wasn’t upset with Luke for the woman earlier, she couldn’t help but wonder how often that would happen. Would she always have to remind other women that she was there or be overlooked?

  She was plain, sure. That wasn’t a new fact. She cleaned up nice and had been told that she was pretty more than once, but there was an elegance that even that other woman had that Paisley lacked. It came from having a lot of money and the confidence that went with it.

  “Are you okay?” Luke asked.

  It was only then that she realized she’d zoned out the entire way home. They were in the house already and she didn’t even remember the trip. “I’m fine. Sorry, I was just lost in my thoughts.”

  “You sure? You can talk to me.”

  “I know I can. I am just kind of sorting things out in my head right now.”

  Luke nodded understandingly. “If you need a sounding board, I’m happy to be that as well.”

  “Thank you.” She smiled at him. “Why did you tell her I was your fiancée?”

  Luke shrugged. “It felt more permanent and meaningful than saying girlfriend. I wanted her to understand the importance of you to me.”

  She couldn’t argue with that, didn’t want to.

  “Think we could compromise on the marriage thing and just be engaged? Then it’s obvious that we are together permanently to other people,” Luke hedged.

  Paisley wanted to laugh at the nonchalant way he spoke, like he wasn’t going to be upset if she didn’t agree, but his tense body told a different story. She knew better but also felt just as tense. This was a great idea, she believed that, but once they told everyone, would it change things? She hated that she couldn’t stop questioning things.

  “I think that’s a great idea.” She smiled. No sense stressing over it. If she was willing to marry him as it was, how was this different?

  “I’ll need to get you a ring.” Luke leaned in and kissed her cheek.

  “I don’t need one,” she assured him.

  “People won’t believe it if you don’t have a ring on. Would you?” Luke asked.

  Sighing, she agreed. “Small please? I hate to be picky, but I’m so scared that you’ll buy something really nice and I’ll break it or something.”

  Luke tossed his head back as he laughed. “Get insurance on it. Got it.”

  Knocking on the door sounded, not stopping Luke’s laughter.

  “I’ll get it.” She looked through the peephole and smiled before pulling the door open.

  “Hey!” Catherine greeted with bags in her hands.

  “Tell me you didn’t buy him more things,” Paisley pleaded.

  “Hush. I’ll spend my money on my nephew if I want.” She dropped the bags on the counter and took Garrett from Luke. “What are you doing, Luke?”

  “Well, I was holding my son,” he answered with sarcasm.

  “Now I am.” Catherine stuck her tongue out at him.

  “It’s funny that you didn’t know he was your brother and you settled on treating him exactly like a sibling.” Paisley joined them.

  “He’s always been an annoying little brother to me. I just didn’t know he really was.

  “I’m happy to say he’s less annoying since he met you, though. Or maybe it’s just that this handsome fella is so distracting that I don’t notice Luke’s more annoying qualities.” Catherine spoke to everyone but made faces at Garrett as she spoke.

  “Please tell me more.” Luke’s dull tone made it clear he wasn’t finding it funny.

  “I could, but I like her and I want her to stick around,” Catherine teased.

  Paisley giggled. “This is what I’m talking about.”

  “Actually, I wanted to ask you a question,” Luke said to Catherine.

  “Shoot,” she answered, never looking up from the faces she was making at Garrett and his happy smiles back at her. “I love that he smiles so much.”

  “He’s always so happy,” Luke agreed. “I want to take Paisley out ring shopping and maybe to dinner. Do you think that you could watch Garrett one night?”

  Catherine let out a squeal that startled Garrett and sent him crying. She passed him back to Luke, who grumbled about her being the one that did it.

  “You’re getting married?” She clapped. “I’m so excited for both of you!”

  Paisley looked to him for how to react.

  “I think it’s fitting she will be the first to know,” Luke told her.

  “Other than that woman in the restaurant,” Paisley reminded him.

  “Screw her, she doesn’t get to have any claim to us.”

  “Wait, who? What happened?”

  Paisley quickly explained the entire thing.

  “You’re joking?” She drummed her fingernails on the counter before pulling out her phone and tapping something in. “I think we should do a press release, make sure that everyone knows from the start.”

  “Catherine.” Luke got her attention. “Paisley may not want to do that.” He cut his eyes to her.

  “Is this normal? Something we are supposed to do?” She wouldn’t go against the norm here.

  Catherine set her phone down. “It really is up to you. It would be good to put it out to let everyone know about you and Garrett, but you certainly don’t have to. There’s no guarantee that won’t happen again, but it makes a statement.”

  “What about your father? Won’t that set him off?” Paisley wondered.

  “The odds are that he will do something anyway. Once he finds out about the DNA test and that the stuff with social services didn’t work out, he will try something else.” Luke shrugged. “It’s a sad reality but unavoidable right now.”

  “I agree with him sadly,” Catherine confirmed. “If that’s your only reservation, I wouldn't let that be your deciding factor.”

  She thought about it for just a second. “Go for it then.” It wasn’t something she wanted, but it felt like something they were supposed to do.

  “I’ll get it typed up and send it over for you guys to review. I think that I can get a photographer out this week to take a family photo, too. It will stand out better with a picture.”

  “Let’s slow down a bit,” Luke said, probably reading the surprise on her face. “Can we go back to you babysitting?”

  “Oh, of course we will.” She waved him off. “I can take a photo instead of a photographer and just have it edited a bit to look more professional. Is that better?”

  Paisley nodded as the question was directed at her. “Thanks.”

  “Of course. I know I jump a little quick at things, but you can always speak up to me,” Catherine assured her.

  “I’ll try to remember,” Paisley said.

  “When were you guys thinking of going?” Catherine asked.

  “Anytime you are free,” Luke said.

  “In that case, we will see you later.” She reached out for Garrett from Luke again. “Take your time and he can hang out as long as he wants. Ryker loves him to pieces and it’s so cute.”

  Luke looked questioningly at Paisley, as though he wanted to know if that was okay.

  “Let me love on him for a minute and then you can take him with you,” she said.

  “You’re going to have a great time!” Catherine assured her.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Luke

  Catherine took Garrett home with her and Luke went to make sure he got settled. There was little doubt he wouldn’t be since he had practically as much stuff at her house as he did at theirs.

  “I think getting out will be good for you two,” Catherine said as they made the short walk.

  “I didn’t plan it until you came by, but I think so too. It gives us a chance to get some talking in and not have to worry about Garrett at all. We have a lot to discuss.” He held in a groan at all they really did need to talk about.

  “Ryker,” Catherine called out when they went inside. “We have company!”

  His groan carried down the hallway from his office. “Who?”

  Neither of them answered as they heard him making his way to them. His face went from annoyed to excited in the blink of an eye when he saw Garrett.

  “Did you come to see me?” he said lovingly to Garrett as he relieved Catherine of him.

  She feigned annoyance. “Umm, I was holding him.”

  “And now I am. You shouldn’t have called me in here if you didn’t want me to.”

  Luke couldn’t help but smile at how loved his son was and would always be. “I’m here too,” he pretended to complain.

  “You don’t count,” Ryker completely dismissed and spoke to Garrett instead. “Are you going to help me decide if this company is a good idea? We have interviews today.”

  Garrett babbled back at Ryker and held onto one of his massive fingers.

  “He’s mine now. He makes good business decisions,” Ryker said.

  “Well, let me know when your interview is and I’ll take him,” Catherine said as Ryker walked back toward his office with Garrett.

  “He can attend,” Ryker called back without turning around.

  “I really should have just been quiet when we got here.” She giggled. “Eventually, he will need a diaper change and then I’ll get to play with him for a while.”

  “Thank you, seriously,” Luke told her.

  “Anytime. I mean that. Cade and April would watch him, too. All of us would.”

  Luke choked on emotion welling up in his throat. He didn’t deserve their friendship after all he had done to help his father try to destroy their relationships.

  “Luke,” Ryker called.

  “I better go see what he wants and say bye to Garrett,” he said, eager to get away from his sister before the emotions spilled over.

  “You’re worth all of this,” Catherine said.

  Luke gave her a nod, his only acknowledgement, and headed for Ryker’s office.

  “If you have a minute, I’d like to talk about your sister,” Ryker said when he entered.

  It was hilarious to see him sitting behind his massive desk with a baby in his arms. Garrett seemed so out of place except for the fact that Ryker looked at ease with him.

  “I’ve got a few. Paisley is getting ready to go out later. What did Catherine do?” He couldn’t imagine what Ryker could want to tell him about her.

  “No, Ashley.”

  Of course, his other sister made more sense. “What about her? Is my father up to no good with her already?” She hadn’t reached out.

  “No, but it does seem that she has realized we are keeping an eye on her. She’s giving our new guy a run for his money and keeps ditching him.” Ryker’s tone was stern but his face held laughter.

  “I can talk to her,” Luke offered, not sure it would help.

  “Not necessary. I just wanted to let you know what was going on. At this point, she’s great training for our new guy. It’s growing quite comical to watch her evade him.”

  “Do you need a different guy?”

  Ryker shook his head. “No, he’s really good at what he does, but your sister is really good at evading him. He did tell her why he was there so it’s not like she doesn’t know that we’re good guys. She just doesn’t want to be followed.”

  “Can’t blame her. As long as we don’t think she’s in danger, then I’ll stay out of it.” He’d reach out and check in on her though. He needed to plan a time for her to come visit Garrett now that they were in a better place.

  “I’ll keep you posted. It’s not important but I just wanted to let you know. She dodged him again this morning, slipped out of her apartment without him seeing. Went down the fire escape.”

  Luke laughed outright. “That sounds exactly like her. Where’d she go?”

  “That’s the best part. She just went to the gym. He found her on her way back.” Ryker laughed along with him.

  “I don’t envy him the job of keeping up with her. Keep me posted.” Luke shook his hand.

  “Will do. You go ahead and get. Garrett and I have important decisions to make,” Ryker dismissed him.

  “That was fast,” Catherine commented as he passed her.

  “I was dismissed so my infant could make important business decisions,” Luke told her.

  “Well, here’s hoping he inherited the family business traits,” she joked.

  “You can test that out with Ryker’s money,” he teased. “I’m heading home to see if Paisley knows where she wants to go for dinner. Thank you again for keeping him.”

  “Anytime.”

  Paisley wasn’t downstairs when he got home. He hoped she wasn’t mad at him for springing this date idea on her. It had been a rough few months for both of them, starting even before he moved in with her, and he figured they both deserved a break, her most of all.

  He’d also told Catherine the truth. They had a lot to discuss, and while Garrett wasn’t super difficult to talk around, it would be nice to have each other’s undivided attention for it.

  Paisley was sitting on the bed, wrapped in a towel, when he went upstairs. She didn’t look upset, just seemed to be lost in thought.

  “Everything okay?” he asked.

  Paisley jumped, startled by him joining her before laughing it off. “I realized I didn’t know where we were going so I didn’t know how to dress.”

  “We can go wherever you want,” he told her.

  “You pick. I don’t go to the same kind of places you do so I don’t know what’s good or even what the choices are.”

  “It’s not that serious, woman,” he teased. “We can go get fast food if you want.”

  “I didn’t think it was. I’m just saying that I’m happy to go somewhere nice, I just don’t know where is best. Also, maybe somewhere we can avoid what happened at lunch?”

  “Agreed. I’m still sorry about that.” He hated that she’d witnessed that mess, especially the first time they’d gone out as a family.

  “I’m not mad at you,” she clarified. “The past is the past, but I’d rather confront it only once today.”

  “I’d rather not at all.” He stretched out on the bed, looking up at the ceiling. “I know it’s my past and my decisions that brought us to this point, but I hate what happened today.”

  “Not a fan of it myself, but if the both of us hadn’t been where we were, doing what we were doing, we never would have met and, to take it a step further, we wouldn’t have Garrett. I know that’s a cliché thing to say, but it’s true.” She stood, still wrapped in her towel, and went to the closet. “I have my own past, and we were both throwing caution to the wind when we started sleeping together. Neither of us were being responsible.”

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18