Page 95 of My Ex-Fiance's Best Men

“I can only imagine the tweets about this,” I mutter as we head out the door.

“We’ll face it together,” August says. “Fearless, just like before.”

“Oh, God, we’re going to be a pretty weird family,” I reply with a quiet laugh.

“A happy and weird family,” Dominic corrects me.

“We will live boldly and out in the open, always,” Theo adds. “As long as we’re together, babe, we’ll be fine.”

31

DOMINIC

“Iwasn’t prepared for this,” August mutters.

We’re standing outside the front steps of our father’s villa in Miami, Florida. The weather is perfect this time of year. Dry enough to make the trip worth it, because everything else about it fills us both with uneasiness.

“Me either, but we have to do this,” I remind him.

Theo’s in New York with Phoebe, working with her and Penny regarding the legal steps needed to get our woman declared as the head of Baldwin Enterprises.

“We haven’t seen the old man in over a year,” August says. “And the last time we did wasn’t exactly a picnic.”

I remember all too well. It wasn’t pleasant. Our father is a strict and traditional man. His values are antiquated and often stifling. Our principles never aligned.

“He’ll never forgive us for not taking over his company,” I reply. “We built our own empire, and it left him sort of… rudderless.”

“And now, we’re about to tell him we’re in love with the same woman, and she’s going to have our baby.”

“He’ll want to know who the father is,” I say. “If it ends up being Theo, he’ll throw a hissy fit.”

“He’ll insist on a DNA test, for sure.”

“Listen to us, theorizing,” I chuckle dryly. “We haven’t even laid eyes on the old man yet. Maybe he’ll be happy for us. You never know.”

August gives me a doubtful scowl. “You’re forgetting the last conversation we had with him over the phone.”

“No, I’m just being hopeful. Come on,” I reply and pat my brother on the shoulder. “We’ve got this. Let’s get it done and over with.”

Our father’s villa sits at the front of a sprawling, lush garden filled with tropical flowers, agave bushes, and tall palm trees that cast a generous shade over parts of the house. Built on two levels, it features large windows that provide each room with a generous amount of light throughout the day.

We make our way up the white marble steps and through the wide, double doors. Inside the foyer, a personal assistant greet us.

“Mr. Coates,” she says, then looks at my brother. “And Mr. Coates.”

“This is awkward,” I reply with a wry smile. “I’m Dominic. This is August.”

“And I’m new here,” the young woman with a tooth gap informs us. “You’ll have to forgive me.”

I shake her hand. “Don’t worry about it. Our father isn’t expecting us, but I know he’s in.”

“I’m Maura, Mr. Coates’ personal assistant. You should’ve called ahead. He hasn’t had a good day so far.”

“We weren’t sure he’d want to see us,” I admit with a sheepish smirk. “I’m not sure how much you know about our relationship with our father, but?—”

“Oh, he misses you both terribly.” She laughs lightly. “But he’s a grumpy man with a giant ego. I can see right through him, though. Maybe that’s why he hasn’t fired me yet. It’s not about your family issues, however. It’s his health. It hasn’t been the best.”

August frowns slightly. “He’s getting worse.”