Deceived (8 page)

“And if you want out?”

He smiled, releasing the attractive crinkles around his eyes. “I won’t want out.”

He sounded confident and she wished she could believe him. “You don’t know that. You might meet someone else.”

“You know what I admire most about you?” She shook her head. “It’s your loyalty. I will be as steadfast in my support of you and our child.”

“I need some time to consider this.” He appeared disappointed. There was an awkward moment as though he expected her to say more. Then he stood and returned to his seat. She toyed with her food before saying, “Marriage is a big step. I want to say yes. You paint a pretty picture, but it’s not the proposal I’d envisioned.”

“I understand. No need to explain further.” They ate in silence for several minutes until Aidan spoke. “What took you so long to contact me? I’d expected to hear from you sooner.”

“I wanted confirmation from my doctor. She set me up with an OB/GYN after having a nurse draw half my blood for tests.”

“When is your appointment? I want to come.”

She paused, a forkful of angel hair poised to enter her mouth. “You don’t have to.”

He smiled. “I said want.”

“I have the appointment card in my purse. I’ll show it to you after dinner.”

Chapter Eight

Janelle stared down at her sketch. It was supposed to be a winter coat. Instead, it had morphed into an informal wedding gown with the lapels meeting in a plunging neckline that would expose a sexy but tasteful amount of cleavage. The knee-length skirt was full and flirty.

The last two weeks had been eye opening. Aidan had attended the doctor’s appointment with her as promised. He’d been attentive and asked Dr. Miller intelligent questions. When they’d been allowed to see the baby on an ultrasound, he had taken her hand and squeezed it. Overwhelmed with emotion, she’d averted her face and wiped away tears. But then she’d looked at him and saw that his eyes were bright with moisture also. Afterward, he’d taken her to lunch and revealed the source behind all his questions. He’d been reading books on pregnancy. His support had almost brought on the tears again. He had every reason to resent her and this pregnancy. He hadn’t planned this. Rich men like Aidan probably had women trying to trick him out of his wealth all the time. She’d expected more skepticism from him, but he’d been nothing but sweet. At the end of lunch, he’d dropped her back at Janelle’s Essentials.

She’d thought she wouldn’t hear from him until the next visit with Dr. Smith a month later. He’d surprised her by calling her every night since the appointment and sending her texts every day. Some of the messages were informative, like telling her to avoid hot dogs, soft cheeses, and deli meats. But many times, he simply inquired about her health, wanting to know if she was experiencing morning sickness.

“What are you working on?”

“Um, nothing.” Janelle closed her sketch pad and pushed it beneath some invoices on her desk. “Do you need me out front?”

“No. It’s still quiet out front.” Dionne sat in the old office chair reserved for the few times she had guests in her office. Janelle couldn’t help but recall the plush chairs and couches Aidan had in his office. “How are you feeling?”

“Sleepy, but good.”

“And have we heard from Mr. Tall, Rich, and Gorgeous today?” Dionne had met Aidan when he’d dropped her off after the doctor’s appointment. Aidan had been at his most charming and since then, Dionne had been firmly in his corner.

“Yes. He texted that yogurt is supposed to be really healthy for me and the baby. He also suggested a book on pregnancy that he thought I might find informative.”

“And you’re not marrying this guy, why?”

Janelle fiddled with the papers on her desk before answering. “After Jerome, how can I trust my judgment? I knew him far longer than I’ve known Aidan and look at what a fiasco that was.”
And remained to be
, Janelle thought. Jerome continued to call and text her, though she’d long since set her phone to ignore his calls. He left benign messages telling her about his job hunt and saying that he missed her. She still couldn’t understand what his plans had been by setting her up with Aidan. How had he expected them to continue on afterward? She could only conclude that he didn’t have the same values she did and she was glad she’d found it out before she’d done something so foolish as to marry him.

“We both know I’m not the person to give you advice on long-term relationships. But if you look at his actions, Aidan seems like a good guy.”

“Didn’t you have a date for drinks last night? How did that go?”

Dionne shook her head. “Girl, he was a Sagittarius.”

Janelle frowned. She tried to make logic out of Dionne’s statement, but gave up after only a few seconds. “And that means?”

“It wouldn’t work.”

“When did you get into astrology?” The last thing Dionne needed was more reasons to dump a guy.

“Oh, I’m not.”

“Then why—”

“I like guys born in the summer. You know this.”

“Oh, yes. I forgot.” Dionne had a long list of requirements so it was no wonder she forgot some of the rules on occasion.

“Back to you. What’s holding you back from saying yes?”

“It’s so old school to get married because of a baby.”

Dionne smiled. “But that’s so you.”

Janelle scoffed and pretended to be offended. “But I’d also like to be in love with my husband.”

“And you don’t think you could fall in love with him?”

The question unsettled her. “Yes, yes, I could.” But would he love her in return? He lusted after her. Could it be more? If she could rely on his promises, he intended to stand by her side as long as she needed him.

“Well, if you’re going to marry him, you’d better do it while you can wear a regular-sized gown.”

* * * *

Janelle sat before her laptop searching for fabric for the wedding dress she’d sketched this afternoon. Whether it became her dress or not, she couldn’t get the design off her mind and decided not to discard the dress. While she’d eaten her spaghetti dinner, she’d thought of different fabrics and colors. For some reason, she couldn’t get enough spaghetti these days. She’d had it for dinner every night for a week.

Though the design was not traditional, ideally, she wanted an ivory satin and lace. Her cell rang. She glanced at the clock on the screen and smiled. Picking up her cell, she accepted the call. “Hello, Aidan.”

“Hello, Janelle. I hope I didn’t disturb you. Are you in bed?”

“No. I was…searching online for fabrics.” She hadn’t made her decision yet and she didn’t want to raise his hopes. He’d been very patient with her. She appreciated that he wasn’t pressuring her about marriage.

“How are you doing? Do you need anything?”

Janelle bit her lip. She did have a craving for strawberry ice cream, the kind with real frozen berries in the mix, but she was hesitant to ask Aidan for favors. “No, I’m fine.”

“You paused,” he pounced. “What is it? What do you want?”

“It’s too much of a bother. I’m out of ice cream. I’ll buy some tomorrow on the way home.”

“What kind of ice cream? What brand?”

“No, really—”

“Janelle, I’m doing this for you. Tell me the brand.”

Forty minutes later, Aidan showed up with two tubs of ice cream. Janelle bit her lip to hold back tears of gratitude and he noticed. “What is it?”

She waved her hand. “Ignore it. It’s more of the crying over everything. I’m just happy.”

“Over ice cream?” His eyebrows rose in incredulity.

“Yes.” She laughed and took the plastic bags from his hands. “Now aren’t you glad you’re not living with me?” She opened the freezer and placed a tub inside.

He followed her into the kitchen. “No.”

She turned to find him eyeing her hips. He leaned against her countertop, his suit black and impeccably cut, as always. He’d loosened his tie, but he still looked like he could have been posing for a gentleman’s suit ad. “You flatter me,” she murmured.

“I enjoy taking care of you. It’s my responsibility.”

Responsibility, she thought, sounded a lot like obligation. And she didn’t want to be an obligation that weighed on him and held him back in life. “Do you want some?” She opened the second container of ice cream and took bowls out of the cabinet.

“Janelle, marry me. I promise I won’t pressure you to…do anything you’re not ready for.”

Sex. He meant sex. Her hands shook, causing the ceramic bowls she held to clink together. She put them on the counter before she dropped them. If he only knew. Whenever she touched herself, it was always with the memory of their night together. “Aidan, I don’t want to ruin your life or mine. Let’s give it awhile.”

“Are you always so cautious?”

“Yes.”

“Well, I’m not. I go with my gut. I wanted you the second I saw you and I haven’t changed my mind.” He dug a hand in his pocket and pulled out a Tiffany blue box. Tipping up the lid, he revealed a two-carat round stone surrounded by bead-set diamonds set in platinum. It was stunning. He took her hand and slid it onto finger. “Perfect fit.” He smiled, but his determination was clear in his gaze and in his words as he continued. “I’m not going to stop asking. Marry me, Janelle.”

“Yes,” she said, trusting in his gut and committing the first impetuous act of her life.

* * * *

Saying yes to Aidan was like setting a steamroller in motion. He set the wedding date, giving her only a month to complete her dress. He hired a wedding planner and gave her strict instructions to relax and allow the woman to do her job. He didn’t want her tiring herself out.

The planner, a middle-aged woman named Rose, proved to be a whirlwind and did not seem to be concerned about the tight deadline. Rose met her at the boutique the day after Janelle accepted Aidan’s proposal. They discussed the cake, flowers, music, and venues until Janelle’s head began to spin. Aidan had to work, but said whatever choices she made would be fine by him. He trusted her taste.

A few nights before the wedding, Aidan hosted an engagement dinner at his house. The only person she had invited was Dionne. Her sister Della wouldn’t make it to the dinner, but she promised to drive down from Virginia for the wedding. Their parents had passed away years ago. Their mother died of cancer when they were in high school and their father died from a heart attack two years ago.

Aidan invited his best friend Timothy and his mother and her husband. Guests were supposed to arrive at five. Janelle arrived at Aidan’s at four. He greeted her with a kiss on the cheek. He wore a black dress shirt without a tie and black dress slacks. The open collar of his shirt allowed her to get a glimpse of chest hair. Janelle hid a smile. She’d dressed to complement him in a white dress with black tulips on it. “How are you?”

“Nervous.”

“There’s no need to be.”

She bit her lip. “Suppose your mother doesn’t like me?”

Aidan shrugged broad shoulders. “Then that’s her problem. I love my mother, but I’m a grown man. I make my own decisions. I don’t need her permission to marry you.” He reached out and touched a lock of her hair. She’d worn it loose today so that it curled its way down her back. She usually wore it up because it was less hassle. “You have nothing to worry about. She’ll love you. You look beautiful. I like your hair this way.”

“Thank you.”

Dionne was the first to arrive, much to Janelle’s relief. She needed the extra emotional support. Tim arrived next. When Aidan made the introductions, she recalled him from the night of the housewarming party. He was as tall as Aidan and handsome in a classical sense with pale blond hair and baby blue eyes that matched his shirt.

“It’s good to officially meet you,” Timothy said as he shook her hand. His gaze switched to Dionne. “And who is your lovely friend?”

“This is my best friend, Dionne.”

Dionne extended her hand. Timothy took her proffered hand and kissed the back instead of just shaking it. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Dionne grinned. “Likewise.” It wasn’t long before the two were flirting shamelessly. Janelle rolled her eyes and Aidan shook his head. They left the two of them alone in the den when the doorbell rang again. Aidan’s housekeeper was busy preparing dinner.

Aidan took her hand in his so that they represented a united front when they opened the door. His mother was still beautiful. Her hair was black with an attractive silver swirl front and center. She dressed conservatively in a deep blue suit with pearl buttons that matched her earrings. Aidan’s stepfather, John Baker, was the same height as his wife, and balding, but he had a friendly and open face. He greeted Janelle warmly whereas Ann was cordial but distant.

Mrs. Bright, Aidan’s housekeeper, announced that dinner was ready shortly after they arrived. Janelle was glad to be seated to Aidan’s right as his mother grilled her about her past, her future plans, and about her relationship with her son.

“So when do you plan to give me grandchildren? Or is that a stupid question?” Ann shot a significant glance at Janelle’s glass of water. Everyone had been offered wine. Only she and Aidan had declined.

Janelle floundered. Aidan placed a hand over hers and squeezed. “Mother, I was going to tell you later that Janelle is expecting. Everyone else here already knows.”

Ann’s pink mouth dropped open. “Aidan, I don’t know what to say.”

“You can congratulate me,” he said in a firm tone.

She pursed her lips together and removed her napkin from her lap. She stood. “I’d like to see you in your study.”

Aidan signed. He kissed Janelle’s forehead. “Everything will be fine,” he told her softly.

Janelle bit her lip as she watched him go.

“Don’t worry, honey,” John said. “Ann may kick up a bit of a fuss, but Aidan will make her see reason.”

“I don’t want to be the cause of trouble between a mother and her son.”

John laughed. “They’ve been fighting since he was eighteen. They’re both as stubborn as mules. Don’t worry. He can hold his own.”

* * * *

Aidan sat behind his desk and waited for the inevitable explosion. He didn’t have to wait long. “Are you crazy? She’s an opportunistic little gold digger! How could you have let this happen? Are you even sure the baby is yours? You’re so smart. How did she trick you into offering marriage without a paternity test? I hope you’ve signed a prenup. Oh, my God, what will my church friends say?” She collapsed onto his couch.