“You really think he’s going to keep you after he finds out you lost the deal for him?” Her smirk was back in place.
“He loves me,” I growled. Though he’d never said it, in that moment, I knew that to be true. It had to be. While the words didn’t come out, everyday loved was what he made me feel.
Darlene plucked her sunglasses out of her purse and put them on. Walking past me, she brushed my shoulder and mumbled, “We’ll see about that.”
***
John was pacing in front of the large desk in the office. When he heard me walk in and shut the door, he swung around and faced me.
“Is this true?” he asked, and pointed at the contract on the desk. The poor man looked genuinely hurt and confused. He broad shoulders were slightly sunken and his normally sparkly eyes dimmed. Now was a time I really needed Preston, and after three calls and only getting his voicemail, I was in this on my own for the time being.
“Yes,” I whispered.
He folded his arms over his chest—not in an angry way, but in a way that looked like he was giving himself a hug.
“John, I’m sorry I lied to you. Things between Preston and I did start off with that.” I lifted my chin at the contract. “But,” I closed the distance between us and looked him in the eyes. “Please believe me now when I say that I love your son more than anything.”
He let out a loud breath and gently cupped my shoulders. Then, he did the most unexpected thing, he pulled me into a hug.
“Oh, child, I know you do.” His voice was soothing and the tears I’d been fighting all afternoon broke out. I hugged him back, feeling so lost, so scared, so unsure.
He ran one palm over the back of my head, softly stroking my hair. My father used to do the same thing when I was a little girl and the comforting action made me sob a little harder.
“I never meant to drive him to this. Having a family, children of your own, is something I’ve always valued. After Preston’s mother died, he took on the world by himself, never relying on or wanting anyone else. And that’s my fault.” He slowly pulled back and looked at me. “Preston has been through a lot in his life, but I’ve never seen him look at someone the way he does you.”
A small watery smile tugged at my lips.
“I just want him to be happy. I never meant to hurt you or deceive you.”
“I know that too. Which is why I’m leaving this up to you two. I meant what I said, I’m giving him the three percent as a wedding gift.” He cupped my cheek and sadness marred his face. “If the wedding still happens on Saturday.”
My breath hitched. It was a fear I’d been having all day. I didn’t know how much John knew and what exactly Darlene had said, but I had my own discussion with Preston to worry about.
“Have you spoken to Preston about this?”
John shook his head. “No. But I would assume that Darlene has found a way to tell him by now.”
That wouldn’t be surprising.
“I’d be so proud to have you in our family,” John said and the sweet tone that laced his words forced me to believe him.
“Thank you.”
My knees shook and my face was flickering between hot and cold. John believed in Preston and me. I could only hope his son felt the same way.
Chapter Nineteen
“Jesus Christ,” Preston said, slamming the door.
I was curled up on the couch in our penthouse. He sat next to me and rubbed my shoulder.
“I take it you know about Darlene and the contract?”
“Short of breaking and entering, I have no idea how she got her hands on it.” My money was on the sneaking and thieving explanation. “I spoke with my father on the way home, everything will be fine. We’re still getting married and this whole thing won’t matter.”
“It matters to me,” I whispered. I drew my knees up to my stomach and hugged them. “I’m tired of being a contract, Preston.”
He frowned.
He was obviously on the frazzled side but dealt with it well. A blow like this out of nowhere could do that, but Preston looked pretty collected, as if he always had a backup plan.
“Is there something else going on, Megan?” His tone was a bit gravelly. He was examining my face like I was some kind of suspect.
“Yeah.” I glanced at my hands. “There is.”
I took a deep breath and looked him in the eye, which was difficult because as soon as I did, mine started buzzing like angry hornets had set up a hive behind my retinas. He looked so worried. About me.
Another deep breath.
The last couple hours had been hell. All kinds of thoughts and scenarios were playing through my head. Shock didn’t begin to describe the state I was in—and had been in since this afternoon. But somehow, with those green eyes glaring back at me, I felt a little better. Like everything would be okay. It had to be okay.
This wasn’t two months ago. This was now. I loved Preston. And somewhere deep down, I believed he loved me. The contract wasn’t a forefront fixture in our relationship anymore.
“What we have…it’s real…right?”
“Yes. This is real, sweetheart,” Preston said and rubbed my shin. For the first time in the last few hours a surge of happiness raced through me and beat all the doom out of my head.
Clinging to his words, I told him the truth.
“I’m pregnant.”
Preston’s face turned from concern to a mask of shock and finally, rage. My heart pounded in my ears and my chest felt too tight to hold my ribcage.
“What?” He stood and ran a hand through his hair. His glare licked over me like flames. There was so much hate and animosity seeping from him, it almost choked me. “How did you do this?”
“I didn’t…I mean, I didn’t purposefully—”
“Bullshit!” he yelled and I jumped in my seat at his outburst. “I check your birth control pills every evening.”
“You what? You’ve been checking to see if I take them?”
“Yes. So what, you’ve been tossing them? Should have f**king known,” he growled.
My entire chest completely hollowed out as if Preston’s words grew claws and snatched the heart straight from between my ribs. Not a single word made sense. It couldn’t be happening. Not this way. I knew this was a surprise but…
“I thought this was real? You just said that…You and I…”
“You are lying and conniving and I am not going to be trapped with this!”