Page 64 of Falling for You Again

I think I will have him. I want him to be my family.

I nod, giving him a watery smile.

Air rushes from him in relief. He lowers his forehead to mine and thumbs the tears off my lashes. “Thanks for giving me a chance.”

“I’m giving us a chance.”

He lifts his head and he’s about to kiss me when his phone trills loudly. He mumbles an apology. “Let me silence this,” he says, staring at the screen. His brow furrows and he apologizes again. “I have to take this.”

I nod and he turns away to answer. “What is it now?” he asks in a clipped tone, walking away.

I tune out his conversation, giving him the privacy he seeks, and study my surroundings. This isn’t Uncle Bear’s building. But for all that I’d miss should I move Artisant Designs here, even I can see the potential. Didn’t Emi say just hours ago that relocating could make Artisant even better? What if that’s true? And what if I gain a new family through Aaron and the team we build? Kidder would be the first person I’d hire. I’d offer him a real job, not an internship.

Aaron finishes his call and returns. “I hate to ask this of you after what happened this morning. Not to mention the timing’s really shitty.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Dinner with my mom tomorrow night. You up for it?”

“She’s upset I didn’t sign the postnup.”

“Yes, but I don’t think that’s why she’s asking us over.”

I get the impression she isn’t asking.

“Will you come?” His eyes implore mine.

“Do you think it’s a good idea for me to go?”

“She asked me to bring you. I think she felt like you two got off on the wrong foot. It would mean a lot to me if you came.”

I sense he wants moral support given we’re both in this marriage of convenience.

And I did agree to “show” how into each other we supposedly are. Kaye needs to believe this marriage is real.

“If it’s important to you, I’ll go.” He’s done so much for me in the short time we’ve been together. I’ll stand beside him, behind him, and up for him.

Aaron watches me, his gaze questioning, patient. He brushes hair off my forehead, and I feel his touch all the way to my fingertips. “You really are incredible, Meli.”

I think the same about him.

I take his hand and twine our fingers. “Let’s go home.”

Chapter 20

Brace for Impact

Kaye Borland lives in an exquisitely renovated five-bedroom home on two acres in Wellesley. Aaron parks his car in the circular drive of the home he and his sister grew up in and shuts off the engine. He doesn’t make a move to get out of the car.

“Are you okay?” I ask, releasing my seat belt.

He nods, but I sense a reluctance to go inside, unless that’s me projecting.

“Anything I should know or expect about tonight?” Waterboarding? Lie-detector test? Torture chamber? My thoughts are dryly sardonic, but I wouldn’t put anything past Kaye after yesterday morning’s impromptu visit.

“We’re just having dinner.”

“Are Charlie and Murphy coming?”

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