Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 71911 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71911 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
When the elevator doors opened, Cam bounded toward Dean’s door, excited to see his hero. He began to punch in the code to enter, and I started to stop him when the door opened, and a stunning blonde woman stood there. She seemed familiar, but I wasn’t sure why.
Had I seen her with Dean in photos? Was this one of his past girlfriends?
“Hello,” she said, smiling at Cam and then lifting her gaze to look at me. I could see her studying me, but she kept her smile in place before looking back to Cam. “You must be Cam. Come on in,” she said, stepping back.
Cam was looking up at her, curious. I could see his brain working. He was aware that Dean and I had been dating, so this woman was confusing him. This was just the beginning of his confusion. I wanted to shelter him from it all. He continued to walk into the penthouse and I watched him as he took in his surroundings.
When I reached the door, the woman looked at me, and her smile was genuine. Kind even. Not something I’d expected to encounter today. At least, not at this apartment.
“I’m Blaire Finlay,” she said, and the name registered as well as where I had seen her face before.
This was Rush’s wife. Dean’s daughter-in-law. She was even more beautiful in person than the pictures I’d seen of her splashed across magazines when she married Rush.
“It’s nice to meet you,” I replied sincerely. “Since you’re here, I guess you already know who I am.”
She gave me a sympathetic smile. “Yes,” she replied. “Rush thought it would be easier for you if another woman was here.”
That was thoughtful of Rush. I was surprised. Mostly because Dean had told his son and also because he’d allowed Rush to advise him in anything. It didn’t seem very Dean-like.
“Dean left his sample already. He isn’t here,” she said gently.
Knowing I wasn’t about to face him again was a relief and a heartache, all at once. He was avoiding me. He didn’t want to be in the same room as me.
“I understand,” I managed to get out over the lump that had formed in my throat.
“Come this way,” Blaire said, and we walked to the living room.
Cam had a frown on his face. “Dean isn’t here.”
“He had to run some errands,” Blaire said.
“Oh,” Cam said, looking let down. “Who are you?” he then asked Blaire.
“I’m Dean’s daughter-in-law, Blaire,” she replied.
That seemed to pacify Cam. He nodded, then walked back over to where I was standing.
“Didn’t he know we were coming?” he asked me.
An older man with a white lab coat walked out of the kitchen then. “Oh good, you’re here.”
Blaire glanced at Cam and then me. I could see by her expression that she’d assumed Cam knew about the paternity test. Damn Dean for not discussing this process with me. Cam was a kid. He couldn’t just be expected to handle this kind of information lightly.
“Dr. Moses, uh …” Blaire began.
The older man beamed at Cam. “I don’t think this is necessary, and I am surprised Dean is demanding it. The resemblance between Rush at that age and Cam is uncanny. Dean is blind,” he said, then looked at me. “Or he was preoccupied.” The older man winked, then turned his attention back to Cam.
“Just need a little cheek swab, and then I’ll be on my way,” Dr. Moses said to him, then looked over at Blaire. “That sandwich was excellent, dear. Thank you.”
Blaire nodded at him, but her focus was on Cam. She was worried. It was on her face. I wanted to cry because in this moment, I felt alone, and this stranger was making me feel as if I had support. Like someone else cared.
Dr. Moses opened a case and sat down on the sofa. He took out a sterilized swab. “All right, Cam, open up.”
Cam did as he had been told without question, but the uncertainty on his face was obvious. The swab took only moments, and then Dr. Moses was putting his things away and standing up. Cam watched the older man, and then he looked at Blaire and at last to me. He was waiting for an explanation. No one gave him one. My heart ached for the conversation we were going to have as soon as we got back to our apartment. I would have to tell him. This wasn’t how I’d wanted to do it. But Dean had forced it with his actions.
I saw Blaire go over and speak quietly with Dr. Moses.
“It’s time to go,” I told Cam.
“Are you going to tell me what just happened?” he asked me.
I nodded. “Yes. I will explain it once we are in our apartment.”
Cam paused and looked back at the doctor. “I’m not sick, am I?”