Secret Millionaire for the Surrogate

“Okay, but if this goes on for many more weeks, come back in. We can look at some medication. Mostly we need to make sure you and the baby are getting good nutrition.”

“I will,” she promised. “And I’m eating well, I promise. I’ve been following a vegetarian prenatal diet quite closely.”

The doctor looked at all of them. “Well, you’re good for another month. You can make your next appointment at reception if you like. You’ll get booked for an ultrasound at that appointment, as well. Have you thought about having an amnio?”

Adele looked at Harper, then at Dan. “I know using my eggs was possibly a bit risky, but I’m not sure I want to take the chance on anything going wrong. I know there are risks with the amnio, too, and I...” She reached over and took Harper’s hand. “I think this whole thing is a miracle and we’

ll take the end result, even if that means special challenges.”

Dan put his hand on her shoulder in silent support.

“Well, there’s no need at the moment, and from all indications everyone seems to be doing fine. We’ll chat again at the next appointment, unless something comes up between now and then.”

The doctor paused to give Harper’s shoulder a squeeze and then left the room.

“That was pretty amazing,” Dan said, tucking his phone in his pocket.

“I know. But guys...” Harper looked up with a wry smile. “I really want to get this goop off my stomach.”

Everyone laughed, and then Dan and Adele left the room to let Harper put herself back in order.

She wiped the gel off with a tissue, but before she pulled up her yoga pants again, she put her palm against her stomach. “I heard you today, little one,” she whispered. “We’re in this together, you hear? So you stay healthy in there. We’re almost a third of the way there.”

And if the backs of her eyes stung a little, she’d blink it away and be thankful. She needed to embrace this experience and not hide from it, even though she suspected that when it was all over her heart was going to be a little bit tender.

* * *

On Tuesday, Drew showed up at her studio.

“You’re still here,” she said, her voice friendly as she greeted him in the showroom. “I wondered if you’d headed back to parts unknown.”

“Not yet. Actually, I think I’ve found a location. I spent most of the day yesterday on conference calls with my executive team. I’m meeting the property owner at three today to see if we can hammer out a deal.”

“That was fast.” She blinked and stared at him. He’d been here only a week.

“When I see something I want, I don’t waste time.”

She pondered that. Drew definitely didn’t seem like a patient kind of guy. Not necessarily reckless, exactly. But he definitely wasn’t the kind of man to sit and wait around for opportunities to come to him. Which was kind of funny, because a lot of her day-to-day existence consisted of just that. Sitting around. She’d learned patience that way, and trust. “Sometimes I think the best plans happen when you’re willing to sit in the quiet and wait for them. Like the grizzly the other day.”

“Ah, but you still went after it.” He put his hands in the pockets of his khaki shorts. “You made a plan and put yourself in the right spot at the right time. That’s preparation meeting opportunity.”

She laughed. “I know theoretically you’re right. I think there’s a slight philosophical difference in our thinking. Anyway, that’s great, as long as you’re happy about it.”

He seemed happy. His eyes were lit up and he had an air of confidence and satisfaction that was...well, charismatic. She’d never denied that he was attractive or that she was attracted to him. It was more about choosing not to pursue something that would be short term and not, well, meaningful. No matter how...

Her gaze fell on his lips, slightly parted, an imperfect bow shape that looked utterly kissable.

No matter how sexy he was...or how amazing it might be to be his, even for a moment.

She looked away. Ugh, she had to stop thinking like this! It had to be the hormone surge or something. She was normally far more levelheaded and less obvious. After Jared’s abrupt departure from her life, she’d vowed to make sure never to let herself fall until she was sure it was exactly what she wanted. And Drew wasn’t it...no matter how alluring he was.

“Did you want to see the pictures from the other day? A few turned out really great.” She started to lead the way to the back room. Juny had run out for coffee, but there was no worry about leaving the storefront empty. Foot traffic was light today and the electronic bell would always ring if someone came in.

“I’d love to. Was the bear one good?”

“There were a couple from that sequence that I like a lot.”

She stopped by her computer and sat; he leaned over her shoulder, close enough she could smell his spicy aftershave. She inhaled deeply, imprinting the scent on her brain. This really was going too far. Hadn’t she decided that they were too different? Opposites might be exciting, but it could also cause a lot of friction.