Page 63 of Boss with Benefits

“Brady came to my house, demanding answers a few days ago. He wanted to know why Randy suddenly wanted his son in his life, so I told him. Randy wasn’t home. I explained what the doctor said about the odds of me ever getting pregnant.”

“Yeah?” Jessica’s eyes narrowed. “And?”

Mindy sobbed. “He got us an appointment with the top fertility specialist in the country, and hepaidfor it. The wholething. Thanks to Brady, the doctor thinks I’ll be pregnant by the end of the year.”

With her tongue pressed against the roof of her mouth, Jessica stared up at the ceiling. So that was what her lawyer had meant by she should be thanking Brady. He made a deal with her dirtbag ex and got him to sign over his parental rights in exchange for a chance to have a family with his wife.

She returned to the crate and opened it while Mindy babbled on about how grateful she was to Brady. Jessica barely listened. Once she got the wooden lid off, she lifted a huge framed photograph out of the crate. It was one of the pictures Brady had taken of her. With everything else going on, she’d forgotten all about them.

At least it wasn’t a nude.

She leaned the giant photograph against his desk and went to the couch. Her legs felt rubbery. She sank down on the middle cushion. Mindy finished weeping over Brady’s generosity and hung up without waiting to see if Jessica was still there, not that she cared. She had other things on her mind.

Jessica stared at Brady’s artwork in awe. Somehow, he had managed to capture how she felt about him... and how he felt about her. It was all there for the world to see. She’d never looked so beautiful.

Although he had taken about a hundred pics of her, the one he’d chosen to frame was of her after he had whispered something sweet in her ear. Her lashes had fluttered down against her cheeks, and there was a knowing smile on her lips.Thatwas a woman in love.

Her skin glowed, and she was sure it wasn’t a trick of the light. It was love. Her love for him. How could he throw what they had away after seeing this picture?

Unlike her, maybe he thought it was a fluke. Maybe he hadn’t been able to see it. But then why would he blow it upand have it framed? Why would he leave it for her if it wasn’t in invitation to chase after him?

A wave of grief crashed into her and almost knocked her down. He was gone. Brady had left her forever, and there wasn’t anything she could do about it.

The phone rang again, and Jessica cursed beneath her breath. Hopefully it wasn’t Randy’s chatty wife again. She went to the desk and answered the phone. “Elite Images. How can I help you?”

“This is Deacon. Brady’s friend. Don’t say anything. Just listen. We don’t have much time. I don’t normally tell people what they should do with their lives... unless they’re paying me for my advice. But you need to get your butt to the airport and stop that lovesick fool from leaving the country.”

Emotion clogged her throat. “I tried to talk him out of going, but he wouldn’t listen. He’s got this insane idea he’ll be bad for me and Axl.”

“What do you think?”

“I think he’s a wonderful man and will be a better father than most because of what he went through.”

Deacon shouted, “Go tell him! Now!”

“What do I say to him? How do I make him listen?”

“Speak from your heart. Better hurry or he’ll be on a plane, and you’ll never see him again.”

Jessica grabbed her purse and car keys. “Wait a second. I don’t know where he’s going. What flight is he taking?”

“Paris.”

“I’m on my way!”

She raced for the door and heard Deacon shouting behind her. “And call me so I know what happens!”

Chapter Fifteen

She ran through the airport as fast as her long legs could carry her. It was crowded, but she didn’t care. Nobody could keep her from reaching the man she loved. When her heels became a problem, she stopped to take them off. She hopped on one foot while removing the opposite shoe. Passing people stared at her as if they had never seen anyone take off a shoe before.

She sprinted down the never-ending terminal with both shoes dangling from one hand. Someone as tall as Brady should be easy to spot. She darted around every obstacle and raced down the escalator instead of waiting for it to descend. Someone yelled for her to stop, but she kept running. Maybe they thought she looked suspicious, or maybe they were afraid she might break her neck. She didn’t care.

Fear she would miss the flight and Brady would be gone forever spurred her to sprint faster than should have been possible.

And there he was, about to go through the security checkpoint.

“Brady!” she shouted. “Brady, stop!”

---