A Baby for the Billionaire(33)

Wasn't that at the heart of any good relationship?

"He picked you just as much as you picked him. You're not being left  outside here. He's standing right there ready to help you climb over the  window ledge. Don't run unless that's what you really want."

"But what if he could be all that to Veronica? Wouldn't it be best for Hunter to be raised by his biological family?"

Diane shrugged. "I think the best thing for any child is to be raised by  people who love and want them. You've proven that part more than his  mother has."

Clara took a sip of coffee to buy herself some time. "There's just more to it than my feelings, is all I'm saying."

"And all I'm saying is sometimes it's okay not to be selfless. Don't bow  out of this race because you think you know the best answer. Have a  real talk with your partner and then decide what comes next for both of  you."

"When did you get so wise?"

"You basically stopped coming to work for a month. I had to do something."

Clara stuck out her tongue in response.

"Want me to come over tonight to keep you company, or are you going to head for Walker's?"

"Thanks for the offer, but I think I'll check in on Hunter."

Diane smiled. "Bridesmaid. All I'm saying."

Laughing, she drained the rest of her cup. "Promise." Setting it on the  desk, she pushed to her feet. "I should at least try to write that  exposé for you."

"Like your brain is going to be good for anything today."

"Well, I can at least sit in my cubby staring at a blank page for the next two hours."

"Or you could figure out what you want to say to Walker when you walk through his front door today and see him."

Her cheeks heated at the thought. "Yeah," she said softly. "Or I could do that."

Diane waved her away. "Get out of here early. You have business to sort out."

With a grateful smile, Clara left the office. Yes, she'd plan what to  say, and tonight there'd be no unanswered questions, no  misunderstandings. She'd ask him for exactly what she wanted, and if  that wasn't something he could give, then she'd pick up the broken  pieces of her heart. But Diane was right. It was better to know.

One way or the other.



Her key turned in the lock, and an irrational burst of relief filled her. She was coming home to where she belonged.

Opening Walker's door, she stepped into the entranceway and tossed her purse on the waiting table.         

     



 

"Hello?" she called. "Anyone home?"

Footsteps sounded on the stairs as she wandered into the living room. Within seconds Emily emerged, Hunter in her arms.

"You're back," Emily said.

"Couldn't stay away," she replied, holding out her arms to the baby who was already reaching for her.

Clara closed her eyes as she pulled him close, inhaling his sweet baby  scent. Chubby arms grabbed at her neck as she hugged her little boy. Or  at least, she hoped he was hers. Because if she didn't ever get to hold  him again, a piece of her heart would break and she wasn't convinced the  damage would be reversible.

"Where is Walker?" she asked, swaying gently as Hunter cooed his delight.

"He's still at work," Emily replied. "But Ms. Tagg is outside on the balcony."

"Veronica?"

"The same."

"Did she … " She swallowed past the lump in her throat and tried again. "Did she stay the night?"

"No, but she came back early to spend the day with the baby. Walker gave her permission."

"Good," she said, though the word felt hollow. "She should have a place in Hunter's life. They need to bond."

Emily scoffed, a clear sign the nanny wasn't so quick to agree. "She's good enough with him in small doses, I suppose."

"You have to build up stamina to be around kids all day every day."

"You didn't."

She ran a hand over Hunter's back to calm him when he started to fidget.  "I had a lot of experience to draw from. It's not a fair comparison."

"Walker adapted very quickly and he had no prior experience."

"Walker is … "

One of a kind.

"Just give her a chance is all I'm saying. For Hunter's sake."

They both looked down at the baby who blinked at them sleepily, his little hand firmly wrapped around a handful of Clara's hair.

"I was about to put him down for a nap," Emily explained.

"And I'm keeping him awake." Pressing a kiss to his forehead, she handed  him back to his nanny. "Sorry. Thanks for letting me get my Hunter  fix."

"Do you want to keep him up?" Emily offered.

"No, no. It was hard enough to get him on some sort of schedule. Go  ahead. I'll go have a chat with Veronica and see how her first day back  has been going."

"Good luck," Emily said, polite as ever, even though her tone was less than encouraging.

"Thanks. I might need it."

She watched Emily and Hunter make their way back upstairs before rolling back her shoulders. Time to face her rival.

Stepping out onto the balcony, she spotted the other woman on a lounger,  her head tilted up toward the sun. She wore clothes for sunbathing and  designer shades that boasted a logo Clara would never be able to afford.  A half-finished cocktail waited on the little table beside her as she  enjoyed her afternoon. The scene was more appropriate for the decks of a  Mediterranean cruise rather than day one of being a mom.

Clara remembered how frazzled she'd been those first few days. Wardrobe  had been the least of her worries, especially since her clothes sported  formula stains these days. She'd been lucky to drag a comb through her  hair, and here was Veronica looking like a fashion plate.

She is so different.

Like a separate creature altogether standing on a very different playing  field. Worse, hers was a world Walker fit into. One of wealth and  excess. Of luxury and decadence. Veronica was exactly the sort of woman  she'd always thought her friend would end up with.

But he's with me now. I have nothing to worry about.

Veronica wasn't a threat. Was she?

"Oh," the other woman greeted, noticing her presence. "It's you."

As graceful as a goddess, she rose to her feet. The airy sarong wrapped  around her body floated in the breeze as she walked forward on heels  that made Clara wince in sympathy.

"You're Walker's friend, right?" Veronica held out her hand. "We didn't get a chance to really meet yesterday."

"No, we didn't," she agreed, shaking the offered hand. "I thought I'd  come by and see how things were going. How has the day with Hunter  been?"

"Wonderful," Veronica said as she gestured to the outdoor couches.

Clara perched on the colorful cushions as Veronica sank down beside her.

"Emily is a godsend," she continued. "Everything is much easier here than it was on my own."

"Walker is a very devoted father. He spares no expense when it comes to his son or his care."         

     



 

"Isn't it wonderful?" Veronica agreed. "I hoped Hunter would do better with him."

"But now he has the both of you."

A slow smile lit up Veronica's face. "Yes. Now we can be the family we were always meant to be."

The air in Clara's lungs froze. "Excuse me?"

"Oh, not right away," she said, reaching over to pat Clara's hand. "I  know I have a long climb back into Walker's good graces. But seeing how  good he is with my child, and how easy being a parent can be here, makes  me want to try in a way I wasn't sure I did before."

"There's more to being a parent than writing checks to his nannies," Clara snapped.

"Of course. But you can't deny money makes child-rearing easier. Why not  take advantage of the possibilities if we are fortunate enough to be  able to?"

"Don't you want to be the one looking after him? Putting him down for  his naps when he's tired or heating him a bottle when he's hungry?"

Veronica waved her hand. "I've already talked to Emily about extending  her hours and she's agreeable. Don't worry, Hunter will always have an  adult by his side who loves and wants to protect him. He'll be safe and  happy, I promise."

"Of course, he'll be safe and happy. He has me to look after him."

A frown crossed Veronica's face. "Forgive me, but I'm confused. I  thought you were Walker's college friend. The one helping him learn how  to be a parent."

Her cheeks heated even as she lifted her chin. "I am."

"Yet you speak as if you have a right to Hunter. A right to my son."

"Walker and I … we're more than just old friends."

"Ah," she said, leaning back. "I see. I've stepped into something."

"That's why I wanted to have a chat so we can straighten everything out  and come up with a solution that's best for everyone, especially  Hunter."

"A solution," Veronica murmured. "To me, you mean."

"I'm not saying this very well, am I? I just meant, I want to try and  make this transition as smooth as possible. Of course, you should have a  place in Hunter's life. You're his mother. But I'm here, too, and I'm  not going anywhere."