Page 54 of Marrying a Billionaire

Reed would like to compensate you for your trouble. Please send me the routing number and bank account you would like the funds deposited into.

Lillian swallowed as she read the words. Seriously? Reed wanted to pay her? Had he not felt the same as she did? Tears stung her eyes as she scoffed and glanced up to the ceiling. She was such a fool. Reed didn’t feel anything for her. It was all about the contract, and Reed didn’t seem like the kind of guy to go back on his word.

Emotion took over and she typed how she felt.

Tell him no. I don’t want to be paid. I didn’t fulfill the contract so he doesn’t owe me anything.

She hit send and waited for a reply. It took what felt like ages before her phone chimed.

Okay. I will let him know.

And just like that, Reed was out of her life. She doubted he was even thinking about her. He’d probably already convinced his grandfather to will him the company without the stupid stipulation. She wasn’t there to drag him down anymore. And if his grandfather decided to keep with the marriage requirement, she was sure Reed was going to do just fine on his own.

Without her.

“Lillian?”

Desiree’s accent startled her. Lillian turned to see her contagious smile peering down at her. Without thinking, Lillian stood and wrapped her arms around Desiree. She couldn’t believe how much she missed everyone. Desiree, Cassie, Harold, Bert. All these people who had become such a part of her life. People who Reed so graciously shared with her.

Lillian saw them as family.

“Oh, sweetheart,” Desiree said, returning the hug. “I heard what happened. Mr. Reed’s been stomping around the flat all morning.”

Lillian pulled back to studied Desiree. “What are you doing here?”

Desiree motioned toward the bench and they both sat down. She wrapped her hand over Lillian’s. “My nephew, the dork. Tried to jump from a picnic table to a low hanging tree branch. Let’s just say, he didn’t make it. Now he’s being seen for a cast.” She rolled her eyes.

Lillian glanced around. “I’m sorry. Do you need to go to him?” She didn’t want to inconvenience her.

Desiree shook her head and smiled. “No. His mom is with him. Besides, I want to talk to you. I’ve missed you. Reed. That man. I swear. He’s a bear without you there.” Her expression turned serious. “He’d never say it, but that man misses you. More than you know.”

Lillian’s heart soared. Was it true? She couldn’t allow herself to believe it though. If she hoped, then her heart would break even more then it was right now. She decided to brush off her comment. “I’m sure he’s just sad he didn’t get the company.”

Desiree shook her head. “He actually went to his grandfather and gave his blessing to Mason.” Desiree laughed. “The old man kept to his guns and so Reed decided to break away. Start his own company.”

That broke Lillian’s heart a bit. She could have stopped all of that.

As if sensing her reaction, Desiree patted her shoulder. “It’s okay. I think it’s for the better. Reed’s up for the challenge and he’d going to do great things.” She gave Lillian a sly smile. “I get to sit back and watch that ridiculous Mason run the company into the ground.”

Silence fell around them. Lillian glanced up to see Desiree staring at her. “What?”

Desiree shrugged. “I just don’t get it. Why did you run back to your ex-husband when you had such a thing going with Reed? And don’t say you don’t care about him cause you’re not that good of a liar.”

Lillian’s stomach twisted what was she supposed to say to that? “Reed wanted out. I didn’t want him to feel like it was his duty to stick around.” Lillian waved toward her body. “I’m a mess and being with me would be messy.”

Desiree folded her arms, tapping her finger on her arm. “Yeah. I can see that.” Then she sighed and reached out and placed her hand on Lillian’s shoulder. “But honey, love will always be messy. If you go into thinking you’re going to come out clean, you’re just going to be let down. But our purpose in life is to find that person we want to be messy with.”

“But. . . I’m pregnant.” The words came out lower than a whisper. It was still hard to admit even though she was pretty much in love with the little nugget growing in her stomach.

Desiree nodded. “Reed told me.” She leaned forward and met Lillian’s gaze. “Trust me, Reed’s the one you want beside you through this. That man will love that baby more than you could know. He already does, and do you know why?”

Lillian’s heart raced so fast, she could hear it in her ears. “Why?”

Desiree leaned back, taking her sweet time to answer. “Cause he loves the momma. And that’s all you need. Reed will never leave you. He’s more loyal than a German Shepherd. He won’t run at the first sign of stress. Unlike some people I know.”

Lillian could only assume she meant Joshua. But Joshua was back and said he wanted to be part of the baby’s life. She couldn’t discredit that. “I don’t know.” Lillian couldn’t think right now. Her mind was too mixed up.

Desiree reached out and patted her hand. “Well, Lillian, don’t wait too long. That man will only wait around for a while. And trust me, he’s one you don’t want to lose.”

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