Page 5

Chapter Four

STELLA

“I brought wine, chips, and three different dips,” Eva says when I open the door to let her and her five-year-old sister, Zoey, in.

“I got stickers!” Zoey says, lifting the bag in her hand just like Eva did with hers before darting around me. Harper squeals and I turn in time to watch her abandon the building blocks to greet Zoey with a hug.

“Sorry, I tried to talk her out of stickers but clearly lost that fight,” Eva says while slipping off her sandals.

“It’s fine. Stickers are a part of life at this point.” I shrug. I’ve gotten used to finding them stuck everywhere. The only time I’ve ever stepped in was when Harper tried putting some on my nicest pair of high heels. Then we had to set ground rules for where they can and can’t go.

Mommy’s forehead? Sure. Her car seat? Why not? But anything in my room, the kitchen, or anything we need to eat? Nope.

“And that is something I am just now learning.” Eva tries to laugh, but it sounds more like a strangled sigh.

“How are you holding up?” I ask as we cross through the living room, avoiding blocks and toys of all kinds with every step. Something I learned early on is that it’s pointless trying to clean up toys while Harper is awake. She’ll see me putting them away, only to decide that is the exact thing she wants. Typically, once she goes to bed, I’ll do a quick run-through and tidy up, but they all come back out the next day. I’ve accepted the fact that the living room is her main playroom. Which makes it easy to watch her while I do work or cook in the other room.

The downstairs of the townhouse is an open floor plan, so we can keep an eye on the girls while still out of their earshot from the kitchen. The breakfast bar attachment on the counter is one of my favorite places to decompress while Harper plays every night.

The townhouses are decent, not as up to date as I would have expected considering the price of rent each month. However, the things that matter are all intact and the structure is solid. I might have gone a little over the top with the deep clean before moving us in, but it was worth it. I’ve never had a place like this all to myself. I went right from graduating high school and moving out of my parents’ mostly empty house, to living with my nana. Yes, I will always be grateful for the security and help she has given me, for the savings I was able to build while having a baby and going to school all because she never once let me pay rent or bills.

This place might not be perfect, but it’s all mine and Harper’s.

Plus, we’re only a few doors down from Eva and Zoey, which makes weekly play dates very easy. It also gives me a chance to actually check in with my friend. Over the last year, she not only lost her mom unexpectedly, but she also took on the role of guardian for her sister. Of course she did so without hesitation or second-guessing the decision. However, it doesn’t make the loss or change any easier for her.

“Better now that summer is over and kindergarten has started. I feel like we actually have a routine in place again.” She sets the bag on the counter and pulls everything out while I grab two wine glasses. As we set up and take our seats, she updates me on how Zoey is adjusting before switching gears and giving work updates.

“That reminds me, I brought two new books for you that we just published,” she states while dipping a chip into the warmed up queso.

“Oh, you are my favorite little smut smuggler. Please tell me one of them is Lilly Matthews’ new book!”

“You bet your sweet butt it is.” She grins, reaching behind her and pulling them out from her bag. “Remind me to make you tag along for the next girls’ night so you can meet her.”

My eyes widen at that. “I forgot she’s local!”

“Yup. And she’s best friends with Paige.” Eva grins. “The other book is a bit more…dark than you’re used to. But I helped proofread it after editing and my goodness. Ivy Rose makes me blush with her mafia men.”

“Okay, if it makes you blush, then I’m going to be a goner.” Even as I say it, I can’t fight off the excited smile as I move the books over to my coffee nook that’s out of Harper’s reach.

“Speaking of SweetHeart stuff…” Eva says hesitantly after I’ve sat back down beside her.

I sigh, taking a giant gulp of wine so I can stall and attempt to gather my thoughts. Which, to no surprise, I fail to do, seeing as how I haven’t been able to think straight since the moment I laid eyes on Greyson.

“I still don’t understand what happened today,” I whisper, staring blankly down into my glass.

Eva places her hand on top of my knee and gently squeezes.

“The second I found out who you were about to meet, I tried?—”

“I know.” I cut her off. “It’s not your fault. I don’t think it’s anyone’s fault. Maybe my own for not thinking to ask for the client’s name beforehand, but I was just so excited for my first one that…”

Shaking my head, I take another sip of wine.

“So…what happened?” Eva probes. There’s no doubt if I told her that I wasn’t ready to talk about it, she’d easily pivot and spend the rest of the night distracting me.

However, I don’t think I can process today on my own.

“Honestly, I might have blacked out,” I start but pause to glance over at the girls as they play happily with Harper’s toys and lower my voice before continuing. “I knew there was a chance that I would see him when I moved here. But like, I thought maybe a run-in while we’re at the same restaurant or the mall, type of thing. Not like this!”

“Have you talked to Paige about it? She can probably get you out of it,” Eva offers and I shake my head.

“I only told her that the contract was signed and that I would update her later. But I also offered all of that to him. I tried saying we could get someone else and he just said no to every option I gave.”

“Why is he even hiring someone like you? It’s not like he has a shortage of fangirls around him. Even when I’ve seen him out with Lilly and Paige, there’s always a line of women waiting for him to just say hi.”

“That’s what I thought too!”

Greyson is a good-looking man. Okay, that’s putting it mildly. He could easily drop hockey and go into modeling. When he first approached me in high school, I couldn’t even make eye contact for more than two seconds without turning into a babbling tomato. It shouldn’t have surprised me that time was very nice to him. Unlike five years ago, he now has a nicely groomed beard, and his dark, wavy hair is long enough to be pulled back from his face. Somehow, he seemed taller, but maybe that was the way his newly formed muscles strained against his shirt. The Florida sun seems to have been kind to him too, tanning his skin and showing off the tattoos that weren’t there when I last saw him.

But it was those damn shining brown eyes that kept making me lose my breath.

It doesn’t make sense. The contract was for me to attend six events over the course of the next three months with him. The events themselves don’t sound bad. Most of them are fundraisers put on by the team. But why is he hiring someone to be seen with him?

“Maybe something happened with a crazy ex that hasn’t hit the tabloids yet and they’re trying to lessen the blow?” Eva suggests and I try to ignore the way my stomach sours at the thought of Greyson with another woman.

“Maybe,” I grumble and down the rest of my wine just as Zoey calls out for Eva to come see the tower they built. While she goes to see their work, I get up to refill our glasses and continue to try to process everything that happened today.

I had for sure thought that Greyson would immediately take me up on the offer for someone else to take my place or to leave and get back in touch with Garrett. But then he went and insinuated I was an ass for assuming that. It took all my effort not to snap back.

Why agree to keep me around for three very public months now? None of it makes any sense. He was the one who sent me away, even knowing I was pregnant with his child.

The folder in my hands feels like a stack of bricks. Or better yet, a neon sign alerting everyone I passed on the way over as to what’s inside. I stare down at the papers and try to find the courage to ring the doorbell.

I just need to see Greyson. Need for him to hold me and tell me that everything will be okay.

The past two weeks have been the worst ones of my life. It’s the longest we’ve ever gone without talking to or seeing each other since we met freshman year. I had always thought I didn’t need anyone. I’d even gotten used to being alone. But going without hearing from Greyson for fourteen days has shown me just how much he truly ingrained himself into my life.

I can only imagine how painful these past few weeks have been for him too. I finally got one of his friends to give me an update on his injuries, and when I heard how bad they were, all I wanted was to be by his side.

Sadly, his mom explained that because of his condition, the hospital was only letting immediate family in to see him. I tried multiple times to see him, and the last time I did, his mom took the care basket I put together for him, saying she would let him know I stopped by. When he was discharged four days ago, I thought I’d finally be able to see him. Only to not even make it past the same door that looms over me now. Apparently, he was still in pain and barely awake due to the pain meds. I tried explaining that I wouldn’t do anything more than sit beside him, but his mom told me he didn’t want any company.

Normally, I’d let things move at his pace. He’s the one who took the brunt of the injuries in the accident, so if he says he needs rest and alone time, I want to give him that.

However, the call back I got from the doctor two days ago changed everything.

My heart pounds painfully in my chest as I finally ring the bell. After what feels like an eternity of waiting, the grand mahogany door swings open, revealing his mother.

“Oh, Stella.”

“Good morning, Mrs. Moreno,” I say, forcing a polite smile.

A look of pity flashes across her features before she can stop it. Running a perfectly manicured hand over her hair as if to tame a nonexistent flyaway, she paints on a pained smile as she speaks again.

“I’m sorry, honey, he hasn’t even left his room today. I don’t think he’s up for visitors.”

My eyes slip closed and I suck in a deep breath while trying to hold back my tears.

“I really need to talk to him,” I whisper. There’s no way I can do this on my own. Greyson needs to know. If she would just let me get past the doorway, I could help him through this now, then we can figure the rest out together. I just need to see him.

With a newfound resolve, I peel my eyes open and square my shoulders.

“I can help with that, getting him up and in better spirits. If you would just let me in, I could ? —”

“I don’t think that’s wise, dear. Why don’t you call me in a few days and we can see if there will be a better time.” She starts to close the door, and without thinking, I fling myself forward. My hand hits the door with a loud and painful thud.

“I’m pregnant.” The words slip out before I can think twice. They feel foreign, like they don’t belong leaving my mouth.

Even still, no matter how unusual they sound or feel, the fact remains the same. I might only be nineteen, but it’s no longer just myself that I have to think about.

Mrs. Moreno gasps, her head snapping back in my direction so fast, I’m almost worried her neck will break.

“You’re…excuse me?”

In all of my limited interactions with Greyson’s mom, I have never seen her look baffled. She’s always the perfect picture of poise and wealth. Seeing the look of complete shock on her face now almost makes me laugh.

“Pregnant. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to blurt it out to you. I just need to see him, please. I would have called him, but my phone was damaged in the accident and texts don’t seem to be going through to him, and I can’t get it fixed until this weekend.”

Her jaw snaps shut, her thoughts finally catching up with her.

“Oh, Stella, here, why don’t you join me in the study?” She moves quickly, ushering me inside and into the front office room that I have only ever passed a glimpse at. Shutting the door behind us, she wraps an arm around my shoulder and directs me to the small leather sofa.

“Dear, you must be so rattled. How are you feeling?” she asks, turning slightly to face me.

“I’ve been a little nauseous, but other than that everything seems to be okay. They had me go back yesterday so they could do a full check-up since we didn’t know right after the accident.” I hold out the folder for her to see. “I made sure to get a copy of everything for Greyson to see for himself.”

“How far along are you?” Mrs. Moreno asks, taking the papers from me but making no move to look at them.

“About eight weeks.”

She nods, setting the folder down on the wooden coffee table before pushing to her feet.

“Why don’t you let me go talk with Greyson? Who knows, maybe this will finally get him up and moving! You wait here and we’ll figure all of this out.”

Fighting the tears that threaten to spill, I let out my first relieved breath. “Thank you.”

Once she leaves, it feels like I wait for an eternity in the study. I’m just about to get up and go find Greyson myself when a door slams in the quiet house before the sound of distinctive high heels click on the floors. After what seems like forever but was probably only another minute or two, Mrs. Moreno appears back in the doorway. The moment I see her face, I know something’s wrong.

“What?” I shoot to my feet, glancing over her shoulder as if the answer will be there. As if Greyson will be there.

But he’s not.

“Stella.” Mrs. Moreno sighs and there’s no stopping the tears that gather in my eyes now.

“Where is he?” I demand, ignoring the way my voice cracks.

Closing the distance between us, she gathers me in her arms and pulls me into an embrace. That’s when I lose it.

One thing Greyson always complained about was the lack of affection his mother shows. He once described her as an ice sculpture come to life. The fact that she is here, hugging me, must mean something is horribly wrong.

“It’s all right, everything will be okay.” She soothes, pulling me back down to the couch.

“What did he say?” I say between sobs, desperate to understand what’s actually happening.

“He didn’t take the news as well as I would have hoped,” she tells me softly. Sitting back, she holds up a small, folded up piece of paper that I didn’t notice her come in with. “I’m sorry. He asked me to give you this.”

I frown as I take it from her. Holding my breath, I unfold the paper. It takes a second of staring and shaking my head for me to process what I’m looking at.

“What is this?”

“Stella, I’m so sorry. Maybe he’s not thinking clearly and just needs time or ? —”

“Tell me what he said when you told him.” My words are sharp, harsher than I ever would have dared to speak to Greyson’s mother before. But with every shallow breath I take, every inch of my body is screaming at me to get out of here.

“Repeating what was said won’t do you any good,” she says hesitantly, watching me with a pity-filled expression.

Standing abruptly, I’m about to march upstairs and demand he say everything to my face when Mrs. Moreno grabs my hand.

“That will only make things worse, dear. You’re both emotional. If you insist on talking to him, at least take a couple days to calm down and think with a level head. After all, you have to think through your actions beforehand now. You can’t go off and let emotions make your decisions. Plus, stress isn’t good for the…” She motions to my stomach and just like that, all the air leaves my lungs.

“You’re right.” Yelling isn’t going to solve anything. I should let him have time to process this and just come back in a few days. “I’m sorry you’ve had to be the middleman in all this.”

She waves a hand in the air, dismissing my apology. “It’s all part of being a mother.”

It isn’t until Mrs. Moreno has walked me to the door and is about to shut it that something dawns on me. I pause and hold up the check. “I deserve to at least know what his intentions behind this are.”

“Stella.” She shakes her head, but I stay put in the doorway and simply stare at her until she sighs and tells me what I want to know. “He said it was for you to decide how you want to…make it go away.”

My heart freezes before plummeting to my stomach. “He wants me to get rid of it?”

Her lips purse into a thin line as she pulls out a business card from her pocket. “I’m so sorry, dear. I wish there were more I could do to help you through this. If you need more than what he suggested or anything, here’s my email. Going through him won’t do either of you any good, but I can help.”

A piercing screech pulls me from the memory, and I try to shake it off as I watch the girls tackle Eva into the giant pile of stuffed animals and pillows they had made at some point.

It’s been years since I thought about that day. I had sent his mother ultrasound updates throughout the second trimester from New York, and even passed along a few pictures after Harper was born. She mostly offered to send more money, never once mentioning Greyson or asking any personal questions. She even mailed me another couple checks throughout the first year of Harper’s life.

I never cashed any of them. Not even the one Greyson gave me.

Instead, they sit in a box under my bed with a few of her rare responses printed out and some failed letters I tried to send Grey, waiting for the day I have to tell my daughter about her father.

Shortly before Harper turned one, I stopped sending updates. Every email that went unanswered only hurt me and since she never asked to meet her granddaughter…

“Earth to Stella,” Eva says, waving a hand in front of my face. I hadn’t even noticed her slip away from playing in the other room.

“Sorry,” I mumble and reach for my glass of wine.

“So what are you gonna do?” she asks and I shrug.

“Exactly what the contract says. I’ll show up to the events, be completely professional, and leave. It will probably be a little awkward, but that’s the job.”

And that’s all this needs to be. A job.

There is absolutely no reason we need to make it anything more than that.

“If the conversation does stray away from what we’re actively doing, I’ll shut it down.” I decide, feeling a bit of more resolve slip into place as I watch my daughter play happily. “I won’t bring up Harper. And if he tries to ask about her, he’ll get one warning to stop. He chose to walk away from her. I can ignore the fact that he broke my heart, but I won’t let him do that to her.”