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The slam of the neighbors’ car door cut through Bree’s thoughts. She closed the album and slipped it back onto the shelf as the muted sound of voices outside shattered the peaceful silence of her home.
Chapter 4 (#ud2730ed7-6948-5946-aa73-f126c43397aa)
Austin’s hour-long phone conversation with Bree confirmed that he wasn’t mistaken in the connection they’d made the moment they met. He had felt an immediate and total attraction. Austin looked forward to seeing her tomorrow evening and beyond.
He settled down in his favorite chair, his fingers dancing to the jazz melody playing on the iPad nearby. His heart beat with the pulse of the music.
The one good thing to come out of this situation with Jasmine was the little boy he had yet to meet. He believed that Bree was a good mother, which put him at ease. Just the short time they’d spent together, he could sense that she had a warm, loving spirit; she was intelligent and caring. There was also an undeniable magnetism building between them.
She’s the type of woman I could see myself spending the rest of my life with.
The silent declaration surprised him, but it was the truth. He wasn’t just attracted to her physically, he was also attracted to her mind.
A cloud of apprehension settled over him.
How would she react when he announced that he was Emery’s biological father? Would it change anything between them?
Austin knew the day would come when he would have to tell Bree of his intentions. As much as he looked forward to building a relationship with Emery, he dreaded the thought that his love for his son might cause her some pain. He hoped that his relationship with Bree would be solid enough to handle the truth.
* * *
Notepad and pen in hand, Austin strode into the conference room ten minutes before the meeting was supposed to start and took a seat beside Jordin.
“I’m seeing Bree tonight,” he announced in a low voice.
She stared, complete surprise on her face. “To do what?”
“Jordin, relax. We’re having dinner together. You told me that I should get to know her—well, that’s what I’m doing.”
“I think it’s the best approach,” she responded. “But I don’t want you leading her on, Austin. She doesn’t deserve to be hurt.”
“I have no intentions of misleading her, sis. Bree seems like a nice person and I can tell by the way she talks about Emery that she’s a devoted mother.”
“I can assure you that she loves that little boy with her entire being, Austin. He’s happy and secure.”
“I can’t wait to meet him.”
“You can’t rush this,” Jordin warned. “The goal is to get to know Bree and give her a chance to know you before you drop the baby bomb. I’m sure she’s considered the possibility of Emery’s biological parents looking for him one day, but I’m also sure that’s not a scenario she thought could happen anytime soon. You’re going to have to tell her the truth when you feel the time is right, but you need to give her a chance to see the type of man you are. The last thing you, Bree or Emery needs is an unnecessary court battle. I don’t think that would be very good for any of you.”
“Or you?” Austin challenged.
“Or me,” Jordin conceded. “I pray she’ll forgive me for keeping this from her. My only hope is that everything will work out for the best this way and she’ll understand why I kept silent.” She wiped her hands over her eyes. “Not to mention how the rest of the family is going to act when they learn the truth.”
Their conversation came to a pause when Jadin entered the room. Austin had chosen to keep his secret just between him and Jordin.
Austin smiled at her. “Congratulations on your win in court yesterday.”
“Thanks,” Jadin responded. “I’m so glad that case is over. I’m thinking about taking next week off just to relax.” She leaned back in her seat. “Lord knows I need it.”
“You should do it,” Jordin said. “I know how hard you’ve worked for the last six months preparing for trial.”
Austin agreed.
“Sooo,” Jadin began. “Did you make a little love connection the other night? I noticed you and Bree seemed to be in your own little world. You two talked the whole night.”
He chuckled. “We had a nice conversation.”
Amused, Jadin met his gaze. “I’d say it was a lot more than that, big brother.”
“I’m not denying it. I like her.”
“That much is obvious,” Jadin interjected. “So, when are you seeing her again?”
“I’m having dinner with her this evening.”
Jadin clapped her hands. “Well done.”
Austin turned in his chair to face her. “Your date...that’s the Michael I’ve heard so much about? I didn’t get a chance to talk to him much at Jordin’s.”
“That’s because you were so into Bree,” Jadin responded. “But yes, that’s him. I intended to come alone, but he called to let me know he was in town, so I invited him to join me.”
“How are things between you two?” Jordin inquired. She pushed away from the table, got up and strolled over to the coffee station.
“Good. He keeps telling me that he’s committed to making our relationship work.”
Etienne strolled into the room, followed by his brother Jacques.
Other members of the legal team arrived minutes later.
Austin picked up his pen as one of the secretaries passed out copies of the agenda. He hoped this meeting was not one that lasted more than a couple of hours. He wanted to leave the office no later than five o’clock. They had dinner reservations at High Cotton for six thirty, then would return to his place for coffee and dessert.
A smile formed on his lips as an image of Bree entered his mind. Austin made a mental note to ask Jordin about her favorite dessert—he figured it would be a nice way to end the evening.
Austin left the office fifteen minutes later than he’d planned.
He drove out of the Ashley Bakery parking lot, merging into the traffic. Austin pulled up to a stop light, bobbing his head to the song playing as he waited patiently for the light to change.
Austin felt the tiny hairs on the back of his neck stand up.
He glanced out the window, his eyes landing on a gorgeous woman in the car beside him. Austin gave a slight nod in greeting.
She flashed him a sexy grin and winked.
The light changed and Austin was on his way, harboring no regret for not getting her name and number. He didn’t care for women who were so flirtatious. He’d had enough of that with Jasmine.
Austin pulled into an underground parking garage ten minutes later.
He got out of the car, grabbed the cake and his briefcase. He walked with purpose through the lobby and into a waiting elevator.
Austin prepped his condo, making sure it was guest ready, then hopped into the shower.
He was dressed and ready by six just in case Bree arrived earlier than expected. She struck him as a woman who was always early to avoid being late. The thought prompted a self-conscious smile.
Austin was about to retrieve a bottle of water from the refrigerator when the doorbell rang. He’d called down to the doorman and told him to send Bree up when she arrived. He stole a quick peek to his watch.
Ten after six.
Smiling, he opened the door.
The vision standing before him left him momentarily speechless.
Bree wore her hair in a mass of loose curls that fell to her shoulders. The wrap dress reached to the floor, giving him a peek of her shapely legs as she walked. He couldn’t resist admiring her slender frame and soft curves. She made his temperature rise more than a little.
He wondered if she knew just how sexy she looked.
“I’m early, I know,” she said. “I don’t like being late anywhere.”
Austin bit back his smile. “It’s fine. I’m the same way.” They had more in common than he would’ve imagined. Add this to his attraction to her...his feelings for Bree were confused and confusing. He didn’t know how to describe them and was too afraid to analyze them.
* * *
Bree had opted to meet him at his place since he lived in the downtown area on Concord Street. She surveyed the contemporarily furnished condo Austin called home. She loved the acacia hardwood floors, the double balconies and the gorgeous view of the city. “You have a very nice place.”
“Thank you.” Austin’s eyes bounced around the room. “It needs a woman’s touch, though, and probably more furniture.”
“I think the way it is actually fits your personality. You don’t strike me as a man who likes a lot of stuff in your space. I would say that you’re a minimalist. You look put together always, but you’re not one to fuss over your looks. You’re probably more comfortable in what you have on right now than in a suit and tie or a tuxedo.”
Austin had dressed down for the evening. Long, muscled legs filled out faded jeans, and he wore a plain black T-shirt that accentuated the broadness of his torso.
“You’re right,” he said. “I’m impressed.”
Austin grabbed his keys and they headed down to his SUV.
Ten minutes later, they were seated at a table with a scenic view of the street.
Austin had suggested High Cotton Restaurant. She had eaten there a few times, and the food was always excellent. It was her absolute favorite eatery. Bree found the atmosphere at High Cotton relaxing and the food tantalizing. Their first date was off to a great start.
“Why did you choose this place for dinner?” she asked, her gaze fixed on his handsome face.
“It’s a favorite of mine,” he responded. “Have you been here before?”
She grinned. “Another thing we have in common. I love this restaurant.”
“I’m glad. I was a little reluctant to try someplace new since this is our first date. I knew what to expect here.”
He ordered wine.
All around them, couples sat at tables, leaning toward each other, smiling, laughing, talking. Waitresses moved through the room serving up orders of bar food and drinks. The clink of glassware and the ripples of conversation became a white noise that hummed in the background.
Bree stared into Austin’s chestnut-brown eyes and fought to hold on to the control and willpower she had developed over the past few years.
It wasn’t easy.
When the waitress returned, she took their food order. Bree ordered the jumbo crab cakes while Austin chose shrimp and grits.
“Tell me more about this wonderful son of yours.”
Bree was touched that Austin seemed interested in Emery. “Well, he’s almost three and keeps me very busy. I’m not complaining, though. My son brings me so much joy. It’s hard to put into words what it means to be a mother.”
“It’s clear to me that you really enjoy it.”
“I’ve always wanted to be a mother. A short time after Caleb and I married, I found out that my chances of having a child naturally were very slim. We decided to adopt, but then he passed away. When I felt ready emotionally, that’s when I moved forward and Emery came into my life.” She looked away. “That’s probably more than you wanted to know on a first date.”
“No, I admire you for being so transparent.”
“I love my son so much—it doesn’t matter that he didn’t come from my body.”
“He’s a very lucky little boy.”
Bree’s eyes grew bright with unshed tears. “I’m the lucky one, Austin. I’m sure every mother says this, but I know this to be true—Emery is a very special child. He loves in such a pure way. When he smiles at me or gives me a kiss... I can’t describe the feeling I get.” She took a sip of her wine. “I’m sorry for going on like that.”
“No need to apologize, Bree. I asked about Emery.” He paused a moment before saying, “I’m sure you’re just dying to show me a picture of him.”
“I have many,” she responded. “Would you like to see them?”
Austin nodded.
Bree pulled up some photos on her cell phone and handed it to him.
“He’s a handsome little boy.”
“Thank you.”
She watched as Austin stared at the photos. Bree had never met a man who was so taken with Emery, especially since they hadn’t even met.
Their food arrived.
“How’s the crab cakes?” Austin asked.
“Delicious as always.” She leaned forward and said in a low voice, “I’m trying not to devour them. Don’t want to ruin your impression of me after one date.”
He chuckled. “I don’t think that’s possible.”
Bree regarded him with amusement. “I don’t know if Jordin told you anything about me, but what you see is what you get.”
“I like that,” he responded. “I prefer to be around someone who isn’t afraid to be herself.”
She wiped her mouth on her napkin. “It’s the only way I know how to be.”
