Secret Millionaire for the Surrogate

“Enjoy each other’s company, and accept that when the time comes, we go our separate ways with best wishes and good memories. No regrets.”

“You said that so well it makes me think you’ve done it before.”

“I’ve done it, but it didn’t end well,” he replied, his gaze serious. “I broke someone’s heart and hated myself for it. But I couldn’t live a lie, and the kind of life she wanted wasn’t for me. I like you, Harper. More than that, I admire you. So maybe we can admire each other for a few more days, and leave things with fond memories. It’s all I can offer and you should know that up front.”

Why not? she thought. It would be a definite change of pace from her other romantic experiences. She’d lost her virginity when she was twenty-one and tired of carrying the burden of it around, and it had been a mediocre experience and certainly not one with any depth of emotion. Her other partner had been Jared. She’d thought him everything she wanted, and he’d disappeared with barely a “see ya.” He hadn’t even asked for the ring back. It had been disposable, just like her.

Leaving things with happy, “that one summer” sort of memories seemed pretty attractive.

“Does this mean you want to go with me to Healy Pass on Thursday?”

“I’d love to.”

“I’ll pack food for the day. You know to dress accordingly. It’s a longer hike than what we went on the other day, but ten times as rewarding.”

“It sounds perfect.”

It really did. And the idea of doing the hike with company, and someone who enjoyed the outdoors as much as she did? Heaven.

“I suppose this means I should go for now.”

“You can stay if you want to.”

“Tempting as that sounds, I feel like I’ve already overstayed my welcome. But thank you for dinner, and for everything.”

“Anytime.” And she meant it.

He let go of her hands and turned to go to the door, but paused when he got there. “I’ll pick you up Thursday morning. How does that sound?”

“Perfect.”

He was holding open the door, but he let it go and walked back inside, coming over to plant a final kiss on her lips. “That’s better,” he said, and then went for the door. “See you Thursday.”

When he was gone, Harper went into the living room and sat down in her favorite chair. Half of her tea was still in her mug and cold now, but it didn’t matter.

The people who mattered most knew about the baby. And Drew had kissed her. Twice. More than twice when she thought about it. And touched her. And he’d been kind and understanding.

Never in her life had she felt so accepted by a man.

“Oh, Harper,” she said to herself. “You’re going to have to be very careful.”

* * *

The following morning she told Juny about the baby. For a moment, the younger woman’s eyes widened, and then she sat back with a victorious smile. “Okay, so I knew there was something going on with you! No Friday night wine and chocolate plans, and no more morning muffins and coffee on Wednesdays. Plus you looked sickly some of the time. I can’t believe you didn’t tell me.”

But she didn’t look hurt, and for that Harper was relieved. “I couldn’t. We really wanted to make sure I got past the first trimester before saying anything to anyone. The only person who knew was Drew, and that was because he showed up and I was at Dan and Adele’s. He kind of guessed something was up and Dan told him.”

“Is that why he’s been around lately? Are you guys a thing?” She put extra emphasis on the word thing.

Even though Harper felt her face heat, she shook her head. “No, we’re not a thing. We’ve hung out a few times over the past couple of weeks, but that’s it.”

Juny waggled her eyebrows. “If that was it, you wouldn’t be blushing.”

Would a half-truth suffice? She sighed and relented a little. “Okay, so I’m not blind. He’s very cute and it turns out he’s quite nice as well, once you get past that veneer of charm.”

“I bet.”

“Shut up. How are things with you and Renée?”