Page 34 of Billionaire Enemy's Baby
“You know you want to.”
Josh’s adorable grin has always been hard to resist, and that’s the same even now. I can’t stop my insides from melting at the mere sight of him.
But I have to be strong. I have to do what’s right for Mya.
Maybe that’s what he means when he says that he wants to talk. That’s possible, right? He could just want to get everything out into the open, once and for all. If so, then by ignoring him and turning him down, I’m doing our daughter a disservice.
Josh doesn’t deserve all these chances that I keep giving him, but I can feel myself crumbling regardless. I guess there’s a part of me that also wants to give in to my long cherished teenage dream, to know what it’s like to be taken out on a date by Josh Macaulay.
Teenage me is screaming in my ear to just go out and have some fun.
Now that the cheers have grown louder, and everyone seems to be on the side of a date without knowing anything about the true context of what’s going on here, I can see it’s going to be damn near impossible to say no. I shouldn’t give in to peer pressure, but I know that I’m going to.
“Fine,” I whisper, but I might as well have yelled it for the reaction it causes. It’s actually quite funny how many people want a happy ever after for me and Josh. Unfortunately, that can’t happen. I really don’t think that’s possible.
But tonight, might get us on the right path to communicating in a more effective way. “A date it is.”
Why does Josh look like all his Christmases have come at once? It makes me wonder if I’ve misjudged him. He might be happier to be a father than I have given him credit for. I guess it’s time to see if this chance is the one that will pan out at last.
ChapterFifteen
JOSH
“Are yousureabout this?” Wyatt asks as he watches me straighten my shirt in the mirror. I knew there was a reason he came over to Mom and Dad’s after work tonight, I just didn’t think he was here to lecture me. “Because this is a big move. You know that, right?”
“You think I take people out on dates all the time?” I laugh.
“I know you do.” Oops, there’s a real warning to his tone there.
“Well, not like this. Lexi knows it’s different, and so do I.”
“That’s what worries me.” I can see the panic etched on my brother’s face. But he doesn’t understand, how can he? He isn’t the one who had the dream I did. I know that dream meant something, and I need to work out what. I don’t know if Lexi is the person I’ve always been meant to be with. I don’t know if I’ve thought about soul mates and stuff in the past, but I can’t help myself now. If it’s anyway, I just sense it’s her.
“Because I don’t want to lose Lexi working for me. She’s awesome and I really appreciate having her around. I don’t want some romantic entanglement with you to end in so much heartbreak that she leaves me.”
I shake my head. “That’s not going to happen. Don’t worry about it….”
“But you’re going to New York, aren’t you? That’s all you’ve talked about. Going to New York and starting your business there. Lexi lives here, she belongs here. Her child goes to school here. She might not want to give that up for you so soon into a relationship. You saying that it’s different and special is going to make her think the same thing. Then if she ends up losing you, it’s going to get real messy.”
Usually, I would berate him for thinking too far into the future, but I know it isn’t. I know that, which only makes me want Lexi more. New York doesn’t feel quite so important when I think about that dream and how it could be. I’m still the same ambitious person that I’ve always been and I’m definitely going to make something of myself, no doubt about it. But my career doesn’t have the same hold over me as it once did. Lexi does.
But I don’t think I can explain all of that to Wyatt without sounding like a crazy person. So instead, I turn and flash him what I hope is a reassuring smile.
“I promise you, Wyatt, that I won’t do anything to hurt Lexi. I won’t break her heart. Everything will be fine.”
Watt doesn’t look convinced, but he doesn’t really have any choice in the matter, does he? He can’t stop me and Lexi from going out on a date. We are grown adults, allowed to do as we please.
Since I can’t convince him with words that I’m going to be good, actions will have to do. He will soon see that my intentions are pure.
Thankfully, I’m not subjected to the same level of questioning when I pass by my parents. Mom does give me a meaningful look though because despite her endless requests I haven’t been totally honest with her about everything. I never said I would anyway. She brought that idea on to herself.
It feels good to get out the door though, and to know that tonight is the night things will finally become clear. If there really is a chance of something between me and Lexi, tonight will reveal it for sure.
I wanted to pick her up and do the whole shebang, but not so long ago, Lexi asked to meet me at the restaurant. I wonder if that’s because of her child. I get it if she doesn’t want her kid to see me. Maybe that will change in the future. Because if I’m going to dream about a future with Lexi, then I have to think about her baby girl too.
She will be a part of us.
I don’t mind though. It’s kinda cool to have her as part of the picture. Children might not have been on my radar before, but now everything feels different. Because that’s the way Lexi makes it.
