Secret Baby Scandal. Joanne Rock
only just returned to bright colors, though. For years, I draped myself in navy and beige when I went in front of a jury.” She’d grown tired of the conservative wardrobe her career dictated, but she hadn’t realized how much she’d reined in her fashion creativity until her more recent wardrobe choices had all been bright colors, sequins, feathers and fringe.
“Anything to win a case,” he remarked dryly, no doubt thinking of the civil suit she’d won against his friend.
“I hope you don’t expect me to apologize for being good at my job.” They might as well address it since it had been the source of their last argument, the reason he’d walked out on her and said their time together had been a mistake. “It’s not up to me to determine right from wrong. That’s a jury’s job. I’m simply paid to win. Just like you are.”
She tucked her phone into her purse as the vehicle stopped in front of the stucco Italianate mansion that had been updated and whitewashed since the last time she’d been here. Their driver, a former Hurricanes’ player named Evan, opened the back door for them and began to bring their bags inside.
“You didn’t use to believe in winning at any cost.” He didn’t move to exit the vehicle.
“That was before I realized that if you don’t fight for yourself, no one else is going to fight for you.” She reached into the car seat to unbuckle César, but Jean-Pierre took over the task.
“Let me.” He lifted the baby in one arm and stepped out into the sunlight to help her exit the SUV. He held onto her arm even after she stood by his side. “Do you really think I didn’t fight for you all those years ago?”
She didn’t need to ask what he was talking about. She’d been hurt when he hadn’t tried harder to see her despite their families’ dictate that they stay away from each other.
“It’s ancient history now.” She wasn’t about to admit how much that breakup had stung.
Especially not now, when she needed to shape a future for herself and her son. The less she looked back at the past, the better.
“I hope so. We’ve got a whole future ahead of us to plan.” His hand found the small of her back as she stepped up onto the stone landing of the front steps. “Together.”
His touch set off the familiar awareness that he’d always inspired. And how potent it felt now as they moved toward the threshold of this home with their son in his arms.
She’d be staying for two weeks inside a home where Jean-Pierre had almost seduced her ten years ago. How resistant would she be here, of all places, when they shared so much history? Lucky for her, she had César to remind her of her priorities. She wouldn’t allow herself to be trapped in a loveless marriage. Children didn’t thrive in that kind of stilted environment.
“I’m sure we’ll figure out an equitable arrangement.” Her familiarity with legal settlements had already prompted her to draw up some possible scenarios for sharing custody, but she wanted to wait a few days to raise the topic for discussion.
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