Hearing these stories brings to the surface my unresolved feelings about the whole situation. I force myself to be strong, independent, and rely on no one but myself. I am going to be a single mom, whether I like it or not. I will have to raise this child for the rest of my life, and make decisions that will either be wrong or right. Haden will eventually start his own family with Eloise and this child will become less important to him. I will be both the mom and the dad when that time comes. I’ll be doing it all alone.

Lost in these thoughts, I blurt out, “I don’t know how I’m going to be a single mom.”

With a sympathetic smile, Kate moves her hand and places it on top of mine.

Lex puts his fork down and clears his throat. “If I’m getting too personal, tell me to back off. The dad’s not around?”

“He’s around. It’s just...this was a one night stand with a work colleague. He’s now engaged. It’s just not your normal relationship,” I admit wholeheartedly.

“I see. Enough said.”

“So anyway, I was telling Lex you work at Lantern Publishing. His brother-in-law”—Lex’s eyes turn to Kate with an evil stare—”published his manuscripts with the Californian branch.”

“What’s his name?” I ask curiously.

“Julian Baker,” Kate replies.

“What? Are you kidding me? I love his work, not to mention he is...oh wait, pregnant hormonal lady on the loose. He is gorgeous.” I fan myself with a napkin, a wide smile on my face.

Lex’s eyes narrow and Kate is quick to jump in. “Sorry Pres, he is married now to Lex’s sister.”

I laugh loosely. “I’m always missing the boat. So yes, he has done a great deal for Lantern Publishing and opened up avenues for other authors. He’s never visited our New York office, but hopefully he will one day.”

“So correct me if I’m wrong, Mr. Sadler owns and operates this branch?” Lex questions in a more business-like manner, quick to get off the topic of Julian Baker.

“Yes, I’ve been working for him for about eight years now,” I tell him.

“I met him last year at a conference. Kate and I discussed branching out into publishing. With business thriving in our production company, we are looking to expand once again. He was quite knowledgeable, as was his son.”

“Son? Mr. Sadler doesn’t have a son…” I answer, puzzled.

Lex furrows his brows. “He introduced him to us. What was his name again, Kate?”

“Had...oh my god, Presley! Why didn’t I put two and two together?” she almost yells.

I am confused by Kate’s outburst. “What are you talking about?”

She drops her cutlery immediately, leaning back into her chair and folding her arms with a surprised look on her face. “Haden, he’s Mr. Sadler’s son...your baby daddy.”

This time Lex looks confused. “Wait, the dad is Haden Cooper?”

I quickly shoot the ridiculous notion down. “I think you guys are mistaken. Haden isn’t his son.”

“Stepson,” Lex corrects me. “He married Haden’s mom when Haden was young—that’s what he told me.”

Now it’s my turn to sit here in disbelief. I’m staring blankly at my plate, trying to piece the puzzle together. I didn’t understand why Mr. Sadler never said anything, even after he congratulated me at the party. Surely he would have known from all the office gossip that Haden knocked me up. It explains why he got away with murder, but what doesn’t make sense is why he would hide this from me. It wasn’t a big deal.

“Presley, you look pale. Are you okay? Do you want me to take you home?” Kate’s worried face pulls me out of my confused daze.

I smile at them and lie easily. “I’m fine.”

The conversation carries on, and I immerse myself in business talk which distracts me for a while. Lex Edwards is a very powerful and smart man. I have never met someone so driven, yet so family-oriented at the same time. I understand why Kate speaks so highly of him, and together they are such a dynamic duo with the ideas they are bouncing off each other during dinner.

As the night winds down, Lex says his goodbyes before an early flight back home. Before he leaves, he offers his support, should I ever need it.

“This is my wife’s number and email. If ever you want to ask questions or have a chat, please feel free to contact her. She comes to the city often and I’m sure Kate will take you girls out.” He hands me a business card. “Now, here is my contact information, if ever you need anything or if the two of them get up to no good.”

I laugh. “Thank you, Lex, for being so kind. It was really nice to meet you.”

On our way home that night, I can tell Kate knows something isn’t right.

“You had no idea his stepfather was your boss, did you?”

“None whatsoever,” I answer bluntly. “Why would he keep this from me?”

“I have no clue. Is it a big deal, though?”

“It just doesn’t make sense. Listen, I’m going to his place. I need answers.”

She nods. “Want me to come with?”

“No.” I smile at her. “You’ve got your secret date tonight.”

She returns the smile. “I’m just a phone call away, okay?”

I hop into a cab and give the driver the address. Ten minutes later, I am standing outside Haden’s door hoping Marcus isn’t home, or worse, Eloise. Music is playing in the background, gangsta rap of some sort. I knock on the door and wait. Nothing. I bang harder and the door is opened by some guy I don’t recognize.

“Hey Mama, who you here for?” He smirks, laughing oddly at the question.

Mama? Jesus, there’s a first time for everything.

I try to look past his shoulders, but he is quite tall.

“Who does she belong to?” he yells back into the room.

He moves his body and I can see directly into the dim room. Marcus is lying on the sofa with some random chick straddling him. As I scan the room for Haden, a god-awful stench invades my lungs, causing me to cough and heave. It’s like a trip down memory lane, or college lane more like it.

It smells like weed.

This can’t be good for the baby, so to make this quick, I search again and find Haden sitting against the wall. He spots me, and with a crooked smile, he raises his head to greet me.

“Can I please speak to you? Out here in the hall?”

I walk out of the apartment, but not before Marcus jumps up and pushes the girl off him. “Presley, baby, I still love you.” His pathetic attempt at speaking to me deserves no response.

Haden stumbles out of the room and I realize this isn’t the best time, but stupid me asks anyway.

“Why didn’t you tell me Mr. Sadler was your stepdad?” Annoyed and keeping my distance, I stand against the wall.

“You know what?” He points his index finger at me. “You’re beautiful.”

It’s followed by a delirious laugh and I throw my hands up in the air, frustrated that I’m wasting my time. I turn away and walk towards the stairwell, and just when I think I’ve escaped, he grips my shoulder and swiftly turns me around.

His eyes are wild, seriously dark, and the laughter he showcased only moments ago has disappeared. My eyes are drawn to his stained shirt and ripped jeans. It’s very unlike him to be so unkempt, especially with a rugged beard and scruffy hair.

“Why don’t you answer me when I tell you you’re beautiful?” he grits, pinning me closer to the wall.

“Because you’re a jerk that is clearly stoned right now.”

“It’s not an answer!” he raises his voice.

Startled, but refusing to show it, I bite back. “Fine. Thank you. Now let me go.”

His hands trail across my collarbone and directly down my chest, and I don’t stop him, only because I’m gearing up to kick him in the nuts if Kitty can stop drooling long enough.

“Why do you make life so hard for me? What is it about you, Malone?” He refuses to look me in the eye, talking to himself rather than to me.

“Haden, I need to go. This is pointless.”

“Where are you going? Let me come with you,” he pleads.