Page 44 of The Bitter Rival

“Hey, would you mind helping me bring out the cakes, plates, and candles? I wanted everyone’s food to settle before we dove into your luscious cake.”

“Of course.” I stand and follow her inside. “It’s been a wonderful party, Kat. I can’t thank you enough for inviting Austin and me to come.”

“I’m secretly hoping this has guaranteed cakes for all our family’s future events.” She giggles.

“You can count on it. Especially if they happen in this delightful place.”

“Well, I wish you could’ve met my best friend, Olivia. She’s in New York doing an off-Broadway play. I’ve got the big cake. Do you mind grabbing the little paper plates over there on the counter when you bring her smash cake down? I already know we’re going to have to take her dress off and put on a onesie to let her dig into that thing. She’s going to wear it.” She laughs.

“That’s the whole point! I’ll see you down there.” I turn and reach for the plates. They have little Supergirl emblems on them, making me smile.

“Hey, sorry I’m late. I got caught up at the vineyard and-”

Turning toward the voice that’s clearly not Katarina’s, I gulp in a gust of air, feeling the plates fall to the floor as I look up into the deep blue orbs of the playboy surgeon who’s tortured my thoughts.

CHAPTERTWENTY-ONE

Sebastian

“Hi,” I croak out. My throat is suddenly hoarse. Why am I so parched?

“Hi.” I notice her reply is as dry as my mouth feels.

Watching her as she stoops to pick up the fallen paper plates, I realize she’s avoiding eye contact with me. Unable to stop myself, I bend and reach out to help her, only to grab her hand. She halts her movements momentarily before jerking her hand away from me.

“I didn’t realize you’d be here,” I offer. Perhaps I’m becoming paranoid that she’s discovered my recent stalking. Or maybe I just want an in.

“It’s fine. Luckily, the plates all landed right side up. I just need to get this cake out there.”

“Please, let me help.”

“No, I have it.”

“Bella, can we please stop for a minute and clear the air. I’m sorry about the other day. I need you to understand…” I pause to gather my thoughts. “I was still reeling from the heated conversation in the cafeteria, and then I see you come around the corner, holding a man’s hand. Curiosity got the better of me. I thought that was your boyfriend.”

She gives me a stern look like she’s thinking,what kind of dumbass are you?

“Honestly, from where I was standing, I couldn’t tell. It wasn’t until you told him to go into the house, and I heard him refer to you as ‘Mom’ that I realized he was your child. Changing gears that quickly simply threw me for a loop. My tone had nothing to do with you being a mother or him being your child.”

Isabella continues to gather the remaining plates and stands without any acknowledgment of what I’ve said. I’m not sure what more I can do to plead my case.

“He’s tall.” Pause. “How old is he?”

I watch as her eyes finally connect with mine, and I can immediately sense a protective nature in her gaze. “He’s seventeen. He obviously gets his height from his father.”

It’s at this point, I recall there’s never been any discussion about whether her son is, in fact, the ‘other man’ or if there is a significant other in the picture. “Is he here?”

“Who?”

“Your son’s father?” I ask hesitantly.

“No.”

“Is he at home?”

“Yes, in New York. Austin hasn’t seen his father since he was young.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

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