“Yep.”
He glanced at me. “I don’t get it. You’re his surrogate, right?”
“Right.”
“It seems like there’s more there.”
I sighed and looked out the window. “We’re friends now.”
“You’re friends with his sister, but she doesn’t know about this arrangement. That seems risky.”
“I don’t know why you’re worried about it.” Why was he butting into my business? I knew Bran wouldn’t like it.
He shrugged. “Those two have been the most difficult clients I’ve had to work with. I’m just trying to keep from pissing them off.”
“You’ll be fine.” I couldn’t know that for sure. Both Bran and Harper could be volatile.
When we arrived at the jewelers, I met with the watchmaker, showing him my design and specifications.
“How do you know about watches?” he asked, intrigued by my design.
“I used to love fashion, and jewelry and watches are a part of that. I’ve designed some jewelry. This is my first watch, actually. I want it for a special gift.”
“It will be special indeed.” He laid out the time frame for completion and the cost. I gave him the deposit and left the shop feeling proud that he thought my design was good. Maybe it was time to start thinking about opening my own business again.
“Anywhere else?” Dax asked when I got into the car.
“Where do I need to go to learn about opening a business?”
His brows arched. “Ah…well…the Chamber of Commerce maybe.”
Starting to feel fired, I said, “Take me home. I can learn what I need online.”
“Home it is.”
Once home, I had lunch and took a nap. Then I spent part of the afternoon learning about opening a business and the other part designing jewelry and watches.
The prospect of finally building something of my own excited me. I didn’t need my father or a rich husband. Granted, the price I’d pay was going to be steep.
Losing Bran and the baby…well…I didn’t want to think about it because I couldn’t imagine surviving it.
But with a business, I’d have something to focus on. I imagined I’d need it if, when the time came, Bran took the baby and considered our deal complete.