The Billionaire’s Secret Wife(40)
“I’m heading out too. I have a lot of work to do tomorrow,” Hilary said.
“Ditto,” Jane said.
Hilary worked for one of the richest and busiest men in the world, and Jane was becoming better known as a private chef. Vanessa stopped herself from asking how Hilary could have faith in Mark, knowing his history as an impossible playboy. Even though Hilary was the perfect person to talk to about her doubts, Vanessa didn’t know how to broach the subject while keeping her own marriage secret.
She waved them good-bye and went to the water fountain. She peed more now, but was also thirstier than usual. Her doctor had advised her to make sure she wasn’t dehydrated.
Vanessa waited for her turn. A willowy brunette in front of her started to put water into a bottle. She turned around. Freckles dotted her face, and her nose was just a tad too large for the rest of her features. “Hi. Sorry, my bottle’s sort of big.”
Vanessa smiled. “No problem. You were in the yoga class, right?”
“Yeah. I figured I’d join to meet some people. I’m new in town.” The brunette’s plump pink lips curved into a shy smile. “I’m Peggy Teeter.”
“Vanessa. Where are you from?”
“Provo. In Utah? I got a job in L.A., so I moved out here about three weeks ago. It’s so different here, and it’s not always easy to make friends.” She flushed. “Oh my gosh, look at me babbling. Sorry.”
“Not a problem. I know how it can be when you’re new.”
Peggy moved aside when the bottle was full.
Vanessa started filling hers. “My brother just got engaged. Next time, I’ll introduce you to his fiancée. She’s not from around here either, and I’m sure she’d appreciate a friend.”
* * *
Watching Vanessa leave the studio, Peggy drew in a long, steadying breath. She’d thought Vanessa would be spoiled and snotty given how she’d grown up and what Stan had said, but she was actually really nice. Peggy had wanted to ask to talk with her privately, but for some reason hadn’t been able to. Nice or not, something about Vanessa intimidated her.
Peggy recalled Vanessa’s look of pure concentration when they’d been doing the yoga. She was all class and money and unbelievably beautiful. Even without any makeup post-shower, she was still stunning. If she hadn’t become a lawyer, she could’ve been in fashion magazines. Nobody would believe she and Peggy had anything in common.
But there was something. Even if Vanessa had everything Peggy didn’t.
She swallowed bitterness. Ceinlys thought she could be stingy and get away with it. She’d soon learn otherwise.
* * *
Justin was home by the time Vanessa returned from the yoga studio. He was in a dress shirt and slacks, his tie loose. She smiled to herself at how sexy and handsome he looked, then she pulled back and tried to study him with a more objective eye. No matter how hard she searched, there was no hint of meanness, just solid security and something that was too big and deep to be called mere affection. He would love his child to pieces and… And just maybe he’d love her one day too.
“You seem to be in a pretty good mood,” he said.
“I got to exercise with Hilary and Jane.”
“Nothing too strenuous?”
“Yoga. Not that bad.” She kissed him on the mouth. “Have you eaten?”
“No.”
“Let’s get some Chinese then.”
“Again?”
“What can I say? I’m craving sweet and sour pork with fried rice.”
Justin raised a hand in surrender, pulled out his phone and ordered Chinese for two.
She cleared her throat. “I have something to show you.” She dug through her purse and found the print-out of the baby. “Here. From the visit from this afternoon.” She handed it over and shifted, leaning close.
As he looked at the tiny dot, awed happiness suffused his expression. Her heart squeezed, and she almost couldn’t breathe.
“I can’t believe how small he is,” he whispered, his voice full of reverence. “And…he’s such a handsome dot.”
He reached for her and held her tightly. She hugged him back, her eyes closed as she savored the sweetness of the moment.
“Dr. Silverman said everything’s progressing well,” she murmured.
“How good is this doctor?”
“Very. She delivered Gavin and Amanda’s baby.”
Justin nodded. Gavin Lloyd was a billionaire who insisted on nothing but the absolute best for his wife. “I wish I had been able to go with you.”
Vanessa squeezed his hand. Her phone beeped, but she ignored it. Probably just work. She sighed, wondering if she was being overly insistent about her promotion being all on her own merit. At the same time she couldn’t help but mull over the fact that John put her on a series of odd assignments. Perhaps he was testing her to see if she’d use her connections to make him stop or something.