Chapter 178

Lounging in between Jake’s legs on the huge sofa in the family room feels amazing after the events of the day before, my head against his chest as he concentrates on a document in his hand and strokes my hair and neck with the other. I’m attempting to read a book, but the sheer blissfulness of our morning has me daydreaming idly instead. Every so often he plants a kiss on top of my head before turning his papers and silently focusing back on work; he’s reading through contracts for something I’ve no idea about.

When did this happen? When did I become so disconnected from the business side that I don’t even know what Jake’s reading through anymore?

I realize it doesn’t bother me at all, I like laying here detached from work while he still keeps tabs on things going on in his empire. I’m in danger of becoming a kept girlfriend at this rate and I’m not sure how I feel about it right now.

The maid comes in a little after ten and leaves us a fresh tray of coffee and bagels. We were up early for breakfast, revived, even with a lack of sleep. Both in the happiest of

moods and playful, tickling, and play fighting as we walked through the house.

Jake sighs heavily.

“This is the agreement with Marissa.” He strokes my face again as he feels me tense up. “I called the legal team and requested a new meeting to discuss the DNA test and some other minor details in the draft Marissa’s lawyer sent me.”

I curl around to my side, so I can look up at him, he smiles when we lock eyes.

That beautiful face.

“You look relaxed today.” Leaning down he kisses my nose bringing out a smile in me, despite his mention of her.

“I feel it.” I sigh and tug the corner of his document held slightly to the side. “What details?” I remind him of his topic. He sighs heavily.

“I’m refusing to fly to LA every month for classes. She’s no commitments like I do, it makes more sense if she relocates to New York until after the birth. That way I can fit her into my schedule and not vice versa.” I look at the paper rather than at him, aware how much it still aches to talk about this and swallow it down. I know he has to go to LA again soon for the first of the maternity meets, but with things still in limbo he’s refused to do anything until this is settled. My hatred for her never ceases to eat at me.

“Why is she making this more awkward?” I ask finally once I have my emotions fully under control.

“Marissa likes to think she’s in control, she likes to play stupid games.” I watch his mouth and inwardly blanche. I wonder if Marissa’s games were the start of Jake’s need to always have the upper hand. He has no idea how ironic his statement is.

“She wants you to jump through hoops and agree to anything she decides?” I push my other thoughts away. Trying so hard to commit to talking about this; he obviously wants to.

“I guess … She doesn’t know me very well then does she, bambino?” He winks at me and despite myself, I smile. It’s true, she’s no idea what she is coming up against in him. He isn’t a fifteen-year-old boy anymore and if she hasn’t really known him as he grew up then she is about to get a rude awakening.

Jake will wipe the floor with you, sweetie!

“No, she doesn’t.” I admit with a degree of somberness which makes him frown at me, he leans down giving me an almost upside-down kiss on the mouth, sticking his tongue in unexpectedly and then licking my chin playfully. I squeal in disgust and wriggle to get free, trapped in his muscular arm. He nibbles my cheek before releasing me and hauling me up against him from where I slid down. Grinning at me. Despite the shitty topic of conversation, he’s been playful all morning and that little maneuver just one of many similar since dawn. He's in affection overdrive to make up for yesterday.

“I’m done with negotiating with her, most of her demands are plain stupid … She’s acting like a woman in a relationship.” He closes the papers and throws them onto a nearby table with a dramatic inhale. “It’s not even close to what I’ll agree to.”

“I thought you sorted things out when you flew out there?” I nestle my head in his neck again, a little less likely to run and hide with the topic being opened again, adamant I need to try to face this. Knowing how he really feels about all of it has helped me, taken some of the sting out of it. Or maybe I am just starting to get used to the idea that this is happening after all.

“We did, to an extent … The basics were agreed on. Marissa keeps adding demands anytime we get close to signing and now she wants me to spend a weekend a month in her condo with her, going to maternity and parenting classes. Plus, an additional day, every two weeks, going to some bonding shit so that we will work together for the sake of the baby. I don’t know what she’s been smoking but she can forget it.” He wraps both arms around me tightly and squeezes me hard.

“Sounds like she just wants excuses to have you with her.” I pout jealously, anger overtaking me and filling my stomach with a heavy knot of hatred.

“Well, she can try.” He lifts me up, sliding his legs under me so I’m sitting on him instead, my head just slightly higher than his. I open my legs to sit more comfortably on top of him, still being spooned by his body.

“Are you going to come with me this time?” his serious tone and despite really trying to agree, I shake my head. I still can’t do this. He sighs but says nothing.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper, leaning my head back against his cheek, heavy with overwhelming guilt but I just can’t, it’s still too soon, too raw for me.

“I understand, bambino … If it were a role reversal, I wouldn’t be able to handle it either.” He hugs me tight before getting up and sliding me onto the couch.

“I need to go make some calls; I’ll be in our room if you want me.” He leans down and kisses me on the mouth before turning and lifting a coffee and a bagel. “Go roam the gardens or take a swim, no one shows face until noon around here on weekends.” He walks off and throws me back a smile with a glint of wicked in it. “Or maybe come see me in a little while and I’ll occupy you.” With a wink he’s gone, and I’m left to lay back on the cream plush settee and stretch out like a satisfied cat.

* * *

I end up taking a walk in the gardens and gazing at the view of the distant shoreline visible from the Carrero home. It’s peaceful and sunny despite the late season, the view is so beautiful and calming. I’m surprised to hear footsteps lightly coming up behind me and turn in curiosity, a smile breaking across my face as Sophie comes running toward me at full pelt with a massive grin on her face. Turning with complete joy I grin right back and am soon met with the crushing hug of an overexcited teenager.

“Oh, my god, it’s so good to see you again.” She gushes, looking every bit the pampered and tanned socialite, a far cry from the skinny tomboy in oversized clothes of weeks ago. My heart swells at the sight of her.

“You look so healthy and happy.” I hold back the emotions that threaten up inside of me, hugging her back with equal force. Tears brimming in my eyes; she looks so good it’s painful. Happiness bursting out of me in every direction. That tawny hair is highlighted and silky in a plumper face, deliciously tanned, and sporting hints of make-up.

“I can’t ever thank you and Jake enough for the way my life has turned out, Emma. I can’t believe you’re actually here. I almost died of happiness when I got Jake’s text.” She releases me, raking me over with appreciation, obvious she can see the change in me just like everyone else.

“I’m happy to hear you’re doing so well here, Sophie. I must say, you look completely different.” I lift her hand and make her twirl under my arm, all skinny jeans and flattering sparkly T-shirt with a cheeky logo, her body fuller from a better living, losing the unhealthy gauntness of Chicago.