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“Damien.” She threw her arms around me. I love it so much!”
I winked at Grant. “I’m happy you love it. So, can I give Grant the green light?”
“Yes. Yes. Yes.” She planted tiny kisses across my face.
“You heard the beautiful woman, Grant. We’re buying the building.”
“Excellent. I’ll call Chris and let him know.”
ChapterTwenty-Six
Willa
“I have a bump!” I said, placing my hand on my belly.
“Huh?” Damien sleepily rolled over and shut off the alarm.
I grabbed his hand and placed it on my belly. He rolled over with a smile, his hand still resting on my belly.
“You popped overnight.”
I threw back the covers and climbed out of bed, pacing back and forth across the bedroom.
“This is real. It’s really real,” I said.
“Yes, sweetheart. It is real. We’ve seen the baby and heard its heartbeat. It can’t get any more real than that.”
“I know that, Damien. But, I have a belly—a baby belly. Evidence that a tiny human is growing inside me.”
“And seeing the baby and hearing the heartbeat didn’t convince you?” His brows furrowed because he wasn’t understanding me.
I placed my hand on my belly and moved it in a circular motion. “Last week, I looked bloated, like I ate too much pasta. But this week—this is evidence right here.”
“Willa, I’ve always known it’s been real.” He smirked. “From the second the doctor walked into the hospital room and told us.”
“Not like this,” I said, climbing on the bed and facing him. “Yesterday, I was just regular Willa who happened to be pregnant. Today, I’m actually a pregnant person. People will look at me and know. Strangers will want to touch me. My body just isn’t mine anymore.”
“It hasn’t been. It’s been my body too.” He grinned.
“I’m serious.” I slapped his chest.
“Come here.” He wrapped his arms around me. “I sense a new box idea coming.”
* * *
One Month Later
From Bachelorhood to Fatherhood.Financial Mogul, Damien Blackwood, to Become a Father.
The headline on Page Six. I knew it would be today’s headline since Damien and I threw a party last night, announcing my pregnancy. Theodore and Lucy Vale were ecstatic, and Donna told me she’s already planning the baby shower.
Damien’s merger with Vale Holdings was finally finalized, and the deal was done. Both companies merged thanks to our brilliant acting skills. What started as an act turned into something so beautiful and real.
I stood in the middle of Curated Chaos. There was sure to be a lot of chaos surrounding the store’s remodeling. The door opened, and I saw Damien walk in with another man.
“Hi, sweetheart.” He kissed me. “I’d like you to meet Chase Greenfield. He’s your new accountant and will be handling the finances for the business.”
“Oh, I love your tie.” I grinned, touching it. “It’s so colorful!”