“It’s fine.” She mouthed to me. “I’m going to go home and do my nails.”
“You sure?” I asked with a frown.
“Positive.” She nodded. “Go and get the dirt from Xander.”
“Okay.” I grinned. “You still there, Xander.”
“Yes.”
“Okay, I’m downtown. Come and meet me at the bookstore on Steamer Avenue in an hour.”
“Okay. I’ll see you there in an hour.” He said and hung up.
“We’re meeting in an hour.”
“Sounds good.” Alice grinned. “I can’t wait to find out what’s going on.”
“I already told you.” I grinned back at her.
“Okay Sherlock.” She laughed and I winked at her, excited to see Xander and find out what decision he had made.
***
“I missed you today.” Xander kissed me and twirled me around.
“I missed you too.” I said giddily, happy to see him. “So before we go any further, I have a question to ask you.”
“Okay...?” He looked at me with a curious expression.
“Is Henry, Gabby’s baby daddy?” I rushed out and Xander’s expression looked shocked.
“How did you know?”
“I knew it!” I fist pumped. “Scotland Yard here I come.”
“You’re moving to England” He teased me.
“No.” I rolled my eyes and laughed. “But seriously, he’s the baby daddy?”
“We’re not sure. We think so.” He sighed. “Do not tell anyone this, but it’s either Henry or Luke.”
“What?” My jaw dropped. “They had a gangbang?”
“Liv.” He laughed and shook his head. “No, they didn’t.”
“Then how?” I asked quickly.
“She slept with them both.” He sighed. “But based on the dates, we’re pretty confident that Henry is the father.”
“Oh wow.” I chewed on my lower lip. “That’s crazy.”
“I take it Gabby didn’t tell you all this.”
“No she didn’t.” I said with a laugh. “I didn’t know she was such a slut.”
“Liv.” He admonished me.
“What? I’m just saying.” I giggled as we walked through the bookstore.
“Well now you understand why this is all so complicated.” He sighed as we stopped in the self-help section.
“No why?” I frowned.
“Henry slept with her, but he doesn’t want a relationship with her. He doesn’t want to be tied to her, but he does want a life with his kid. This seemed to be a perfect solution. I get to marry someone and gain control of the company and Henry gets to have a relationship with his child.”
“Okay.” My breathing slowed at his words.
“So this marriage really solves two problems.”
“So what are you saying, Xander? You don’t want to end the engagement?”
“We would only be married for a year. That’s the amount of time I need to be married before I can gain control of the company.”
“So you want to marry my sister and sleep with me on the side?”
“You wouldn’t be on the side.” He exclaimed angrily. “There is nothing between me and Gabby, you know that. This is just a business transaction.”
“I don’t believe this.” I shook my head and sighed. “I can’t believe you.”
“What?”
“Nothing. I’m done.” I took a step back. “I’m just so done.”
“What? Look if you want me to end it then I will. I was just saying that—”
“Forget it, Xander. I don’t want you to do anything you don’t want to do. I want you to end the engagement with Gabby because you can’t go on one more second living a farce. I don’t want you to do it because I made you.”
“Don’t be mad Liv.” He reached out to grab my arm and I pushed him away.
“Of course I’m mad.” I shouted at him. “Just go home to Gabby and play happy families and leave me out of it.” I ran out of the store and turned my phone off. Was it too much to ask for him to want to make the right decision by himself? Was it really too much to expect? Was I being unreasonable not wanting to share his bed while he was married to my sister? I mean really? Did he really think that was an acceptable solution? Who in their right mind would ever think that was a good plan?
Chapter Twelve
Alice and I both sighed as we walked up to the front door of my parents’ house.
“Thanks for coming.” I offered her a weak smile. “You really didn’t have to.”