Page 95 of Faking it with the Billionaire

“You’ve got a secret admirer,” I say, nodding toward the brunette alone at the table a few feet away.

“Let her look,” he says, his gaze entirely on me. He doesn’t so much as glance behind himself. It doesn’t bother him in the slightest.

“I recognize her,” I whisper, trying for a moment to pinpoint where I’ve seen her before.

It takes a minute for the cogs to click into place. She was outside Briarwood months ago. I assumed she’d been waiting for her child.

Kyler’s brow pinches, and he glances over his shoulder and sucks in a breath.

“Do you know her?” I ask. The slight sound he makes indicates to me that he does. That he’s surprised to see her.

“I do,” he whispers, and she stands, coming to the table to approach us. “Ashleigh,” he says, and the name on his tongue clicks into place.

She’s Bristol’s biological mother.

My fingers clench onto the spoon as I stare up at her. She has the bluest eyes, just like Bristol, and a warm smile.

“What are you doing in New York?” Kyler asks.

She stands at the edge of the table. I’m grateful there isn’t another chair, or she might invite herself to our table and interrupt our date. However, she’s technically interrupting it right now.

What does she want?

Kyler’s question is kinder, asking her what she’s doing in New York. I’d be asking her what the fuck she wants and why she’s bothering us.

I’m a bit moody at the moment, staring up at her. She’s got perfect skin, her hair is gorgeous, and her body makes me even more envious.

I take another bite of the chocolate dessert. Not exactly what I need, but I’m stewing in my jealousy. I can admit what I feel, at least to myself.

I keep my lips zipped, letting Kyler and Ashleigh do all the talking.

“I wanted to see Bristol,” Ashleigh says, her voice soft and fragile. She doesn’t seem threatening, but that doesn’t mean anything.

“You made the decision to grant me full custody,” Kyler says, his jaw ticking.

Ashleigh raises her hands. “I promise I’m not looking to change that, but sometimes I wonder what she’s like. I saw Antonio Moretti at her school. Are you sure she’s safe, sending her to Briarwood?”

“I have it handled,” Kyler says. “The biggest issue I have with him at the moment is that Bristol and his son, Liam, haven’t been getting along in class. Not that it’s any of your concern.”

“I’m her mother,” Ashleigh whispers.

Kyler shakes his head. “No, you were her surrogate.”

She winces. “I love Bristol. You know I’ve always wanted what was best for her.”

Kyler stares at Ashleigh, letting her finish speaking.

“I granted you full custody because I thought that was in her best interest. But I’m concerned that she’s in the same class, and what if they do a family tree or learn about DNA tests and realize they’re related?”

“They’re six,” Kyler says. “Her family tree won’t include your family, and they’re not going to learn about DNA until what, high school?”

“It could be middle school,” Ashleigh counters.

“Great. Bristol is in elementary school. We have plenty of time, and I don’t think the kids are going to compare samples to each other. You’re grasping at straws to make this into something it isn’t.”

“I just worry about her.”

“And you think I don’t? That we don’t?” Kyler says, gesturing toward me. I’m not sure I should be included in this conversation. I remain quiet, letting him deal with Ashleigh. This doesn’t quite feel like my place. “Why are you here?” Kyler asks, getting directly to the point.