by Alexa Aston
A forced marriage to Wynn Gallagher was the last thing she wanted.
For Scarlett, marriage meant several things. Companionship. Laughter. Shared moral values. Above all else, the two most important aspects were love—and trust. Without them, any marriage would be doomed from the start. She didn’t have either from Wynn. True, they’d built a nice friendship before she’d royally screwed up. She loved Wynn—but he’d never given her any indication he felt the same about her.
The trust part was another piece she’d blown. Her dishonesty and keeping Wynn in the dark had led to him totally losing faith in her. Without that belief and openness between them, a sense of knowing they could depend upon one another to be nothing but honest, marriage was impossible. She wouldn’t tell him about the baby. Yet. She’d give it until the three-month mark. If she made it safely through the first trimester, she would call him and let him know everything. If she suffered a miscarriage, then he need never know. She wouldn’t contact him and most likely would never see him again.
The thought of Wynn not in her life caused a sense of emptiness to blossom within her.
Pushing aside the pain, Scarlett turned to her computer and began drafting the joint client letter.
CHAPTER 21
Wynn drove aimlessly for several minutes. Having learned from Cassie that Scarlett wasn’t there, his gut told him she’d returned to Lymon McGraw today. Since he’d texted Del last night and tersely told him to write something official on his firm’s letterhead that terminated Wynn’s relationship with Lymon McGraw and Henry Lymon, in particular, Wynn didn’t think it wise to show his face at Scarlett’s place of work. He didn’t want to cause a scene or embarrass her in any way.
Not when Operation Wynn Her Over needed a reboot. Maybe Wynn Her Back was more like it.
His phone rang and he tapped his thumb against the steering wheel. “Hello?”
“Hey, Wynn. Dash. What does your afternoon look like today?”
“It’s pretty open.”
“Good. RCDS has a meeting the first of each month where the four of us get together and discuss how the previous month went. Any projects that concluded, the status of current ones, and what we might be looking at in the future. It’s the first time Rhett will be back at a meeting. I thought it would be helpful to you if you sat in and got an overview. Would you be interested?”
“Absolutely.”
“Great. Be at our house at one. Jayla’s the only other person who attends. She sets our agenda and takes notes. I’ll let her know you’re coming so you’ll have copies of everything.”
“Thanks, Dash. I’m looking forward to it.”
Wynn ended the call. Even though he’d told Scarlett he wanted to run with organizing the foundation first, it would be invaluable to be a fly on the wall at this type of meeting. It would also keep him busy until Scarlett left work and he tried to see her. In the meantime, he decided to lean on family and called Del. He’d been hanging on to the auction items he’d won at Rhett’s cancer charity event and thought now was a good time to give them to his brother and sister.
“How busy are you this morning?”
“I can meet with you if you like but I’ve got to tell you, Wynn, I don’t think it’s wise for me to go back to handling your legal affairs. I’m not knowledgeable enough in entertainment law. If Lymon McGraw is out because you can’t trust them, you need to find another firm regarding your career. If a dog bites you or someone’s car plows into you, I’m your man.”
“That’s not why I’m coming by. I need my big brother.”
“You do?”
Wynn heard surprise in Del’s voice.
“Yeah. I do. See you soon.”
Next, he called Cady.
“Hey, Sis. How are classes going?”
“Busy, but I love them. I’ve got Fridays off and so I’m meeting two other grad students at two this afternoon. We’ve got a group presentation next week and will go over our notes and work out all the timing.”
“Are you busy now?”
“Do you need something?”
“I do. Would you meet me at Del’s now?”
“Sure. I can be there in twenty minutes or so.”
“Good. I’ll see you then.”
Wynn made a U-turn and headed to his brother’s one-man firm, stopping to pick up donuts and coffee. As he pulled into a space, he saw Cady getting out of her car next to him. Her eyes lit up as he got out and handed her the white sack.
She peeked inside. “Donuts? This is a special occasion.”
He carried the coffee container inside. Del greeted them and the three went into the small office he referred to as his conference room. Taking a seat, Wynn distributed napkins and coffee as Cady passed the bag around so everyone could collect a donut.
“First, it’s good to see both of you,” he began. “Second, I come bearing gifts.”
“More than donuts?” Del teased. “This is a special occasion.”
Wynn withdrew the two envelopes from his pocket and handed them over. He watched Del’s jaw drop and Cady’s face light up.
“This is for real?” she squealed.
“Yes. You and a guest get to attend an HGTV show taping and have backstage access—and a design consult with the designer of your choice from the network.”
“You’re the best!” Cady proclaimed, throwing her arms around Wynn.
He looked to Del. “What do you think?”
Del grinned. “To meet this chef. To cook beside him. To learn from him. It’s more than I could ever hope for, Wynn. Thank you.” Del hugged him.
“How is the new shoot going?” Cady asked. “I was surprised to hear from you this morning.”
He realized he had a lot to catch her up on. “The studio put the screenplay on hold and will probably shoot it sometime next year. Instead, a new script is being written.”
Wynn walked his brother and sister through everything that had been happening in his life for the last six weeks, from ending his reign as Carbon Man to the ideas he had for both startups.
Del smiled approvingly. “I’m happy for you, Wynn. I could tell you were getting a little beat down playing Carbon Man without much time off between films. From what you said, fans will go nuts over how the switch is made and you’ll be free to pursue other opportunities.”
“I already have a line on my next movie.”
He told them about the Mark Brockwell film that Cassie and Breck were writing and how RCDS would produce it.
“Two screenplays for you by Hollywood’s dynamic duo?” Cady teased. “How did you meet them and talk them into writing for you?”
“It all started when I met Scarlett Corrigan at a charity casino night,” he began.
“I’ve met her at a bar association meeting,” Del said enthusiastically. “She spoke at one maybe five or six months ago. Usually, the speakers are dry and boring but Scarlett had the audience eating out of her hand. I introduced myself afterward but I was one in a sea of a hundred faces trying to talk with her that night.”
“I’ve been dating her,” Wynn revealed. “I’m going to marry her. As soon as I can get out of Shit Creek.”
“What did you do?” Cady demanded, giving him an all-knowing feminine look.
“Flew off the handle,” he admitted. “Scarlett’s not blameless but I know where she was coming from. I also know I’m the one that needs to fix it so we can move forward.”
He outlined their first and only fight, seeing the pained look on Del’s face. His brother hated confrontation of any kind. Cady told him she could see both sides but agreed that it would mean more if Wynn began the apologies.
“You said you’re going to marry her,” his sister said, coming back around to that. “Have you told her you love her?”
“Not yet,” he said sheepishly. “I was afraid she’d skitter off if I did. I’ll tell her that, too. If she’ll talk to me, that is. I was pretty angry when we parted. I’m not sure if she’ll want to see me again.”
“Do you think she loves you?” Del asked.
“Maybe. If not, there’s certainly potential. We have . . . good chemistry.”
Cady laughed. “That means you’ve had hot sex.”
“Cady Youngblood!” Wynn exclaimed.
“Wynn, please, I’m twenty-five. Not fifteen. And you’re blushing.”
He sensed the warmth flooding his face. “Okay. Yes. The sex is phenomenal. It’s not only about sex, though. Scarlett is incredibly bright and funny. Loyal to a fault. Family means a great deal to her.” He looked from Cady to Del. “It does to me, too. We’ve never been siblings who fussed over each other. Hugged. Said I love you. Being around Scarlett’s family makes me want to change that.”
Wynn stood and pulled Cady to her feet. “I love you to the moon and back, Cady Youngblood.” He kissed her forehead and released her, pulling Del into a bear hug. “I love you, too, big guy. Whether you two want to hear it or not, I’m going to be saying it every time I see you in the future. I’m also going to stay in better touch. I’ve let my career consume me. Not anymore. I’m going to pick and choose what I do and not cram so many hours of filming into a week that I can’t even remember what day it is.”
“I like hearing that,” Del said. “I could be a different kind of lawyer. Work one hundred-hour weeks. I choose not to. I like having a life. In fact, I’ve been seeing someone, as well. It’s getting serious.”
“What’s her name?” Wynn asked, genuinely happy for his brother. He couldn’t remember the last date Del had.
“Really?” Cady asked, the look on her face as good as a slap to his.
“What?” he asked, perplexed.
“I’m gay, Wynn,” Del said quietly.
“You are?” He glanced at Cady. “You knew this?”
“Of course. I pay attention.”
Wynn ran a hand through his hair. “Okay. I’m good with it. I’ll ask again. What’s his name—and when do we get to meet him?”
“Rob Delgado. He’s a painter. In fact, he has an exhibition at a gallery tonight. I’d love for both of you to come.”
“We’ll be there,” Wynn promised. He only hoped Scarlett would accompany him.
◆◆◆
Scarlett printed out the letter for Mr. Lymon’s approval and decided to take the high road by composing a list of clients she believed would follow her. Once completed, she forwarded it to Henry as a courtesy, knowing the old man wouldn’t change a word of what she’d written. Opening her door, she saw Erica returning with file boxes atop one of the mail carts.
“I’ll start packing up your office.” She handed Scarlett a flash drive. “This has pertinent docs for the clients who’ll go with you. I told HR I’d stay until the end of the day. I’m sure after the notification letter goes out, I’ll be talking to clients left and right. I’ll download any other files that you’ll need.”
“Thanks.” She held up the single page. “I’m heading to the old man’s office.”
Once more, his assistant sent her in. Lymon was on the phone and waved her over.
“Yes, Margaret will be thrilled. Thank you for arranging everything.” He hung up, a broad smile on his face. “This time next week, my wife and I will be on a Mediterranean cruise.”
“Congratulations. That was fast work.”
“They say you get a good deal booking last minute sometimes. I did. It’s an old people cruise. They’ll provide transportation and outings from various port cities. Barcelona. Rome. Margaret won’t believe it.”
“You’re doing the right thing, Mr. Lymon.”
“I should’ve done it years ago.” He sighed. “I wasn’t around much when Henry was young. He was still in bed when I left in the mornings and had fallen asleep by the time I dragged in every night. Getting a new firm off the ground was hard work but it cost me a relationship with my boy. I never saw him play any Little League games. Never went to a school program. By the time the firm was successful, it had become my drug. I gave it all my waking hours.”
“Surely, you’re proud Henry became a lawyer and joined the firm, though,” Scarlett pointed out. “You’ve been able to work closely with him over the years.”
“Too little, too late.” He studied her a moment. “You’ll do better with your children. I assume that’s why you’re making this abrupt change. Because you’re pregnant.”
Her cheeks heated. “Yes. How did you know?”
He shrugged. “I didn’t. It was a lawyerly guess. You will stay in touch, Scarlett, won’t you? I’d like to see you with a baby in your arms.”
“Of course. Would you keep it quiet for a while? I don’t want to say anything until after I get through my first trimester.”
“My lips are sealed.”
She handed him the letter. He pulled his glasses from his pocket and read through it.
“It can go as it is. Email it to my assistant. She’ll send it out under my account.”
“Would you mind waiting an hour before sending it? I’d like to be out of the building.”
“I understand. I’ll have her send it to company employees at noon and wait a quarter-hour before it goes out to our client list.”
“Thank you. For everything.” She hugged him.
Returning to her office, she saw Erica had everything placed in three boxes. The walls looked bare without the photographs and her degrees hanging on it.
Her assistant stacked the boxes back on the cart. “Since these are file boxes, no one will question what’s in them. Give me your keys and I’ll roll this down to your car. Wait ten minutes and then follow me downstairs. I’ll have the car packed and you can head out. I’ve already talked to Martin and he’s pumped about designing for you. He’ll email samples tomorrow. You can call and tell him what you like and discuss elements for the website and go from there.”
“That sounds perfect. Would you like to take some time off before we start?”
“I’d like to take next week if that’s okay with you. Then we can meet at your house a week from Monday and tackle everything.”
Scarlett gave Erica her keys. After the assistant left, she pulled out her phone and scrolled through her contacts. She had an appointment to make.
Fortunately, the familiar voice she wanted to hear answered the phone.
“Lydia, it’s Scarlett. I need to see Dr. Lennon ASAP.”
“If it’s something like a yeast infection, I can have her call in a prescription and save you the office visit.”
“I took a home pregnancy test last night. It was positive.”
“I see.”
Scarlett appreciated the lack of excitement and discretion, knowing Lydia had others sitting around her and more coming and going.
“Then you’ll need to get in right away. Can you do this afternoon?”
“Whenever you can work me in, I’ll be there.”
She heard keys tapping and then Lydia said, “Come at one-fifteen. I’ll explain to Dr. Lennon.”
Scarlett knew the OB-GYN closed her offices from twelve to two every day. “I appreciate it, Lydia.”
“Not a problem. See you soon.”
She’d gone to high school with the receptionist and they’d been lab partners in biology. Her friend also had the biggest crush on Rhett when they were teenagers. Over the years, Scarlett had given Lydia signed pictures and a few items from sets when she’d come in for appointments.
Tossing her cell into her purse, she left the office. She passed several delivery people distributing salads and sandwiches, grateful that most of her co-workers were more interested in receiving their lunches than noticing her slipping out.
Erica waited next to Scarlett’s SUV and gave her the keys.
“The email is going out to the firm now,” Scarlett said.
“I know nothing,” Erica said with a straight face. “That’s my standard line. I’ll keep you posted.”
“Thanks for everything.”
Scarlett got into her SUV and drove to her favorite sidewalk café near the of
fice. She ordered a chicken Caesar salad and a cup of soup and took her time eating since she didn’t have to race back to the office. As she waited for the bill, she fired off a text to Rhett, telling him she had a lot to share with him.
After she paid, she drove straight to Dr. Lennon’s office. On the way, she called Keely, knowing her best friend had wrapped her role in her latest film earlier in the week.
“So, what’s it like sitting at home, eating for two?” Scarlett teased.
Keely laughed. “I’m enjoying the quiet. Yesterday, I shopped for groceries. Today’s big activity was a Costco run.”
“I guess filling your gas tank is tomorrow’s outing?”
“No. Mac thinks the fumes are bad for the baby. He’s taken over that errand for me.”
“Nice. When does he finish filming today?”
“He doesn’t go in until six. It’s a night shoot. They need to close several streets in downtown LA so he’ll be filming all night for the next two nights.”
“Would you like to do an early dinner?”
“I’d love that. Something tells me we have a lot to catch up on.”
“You have no idea,” Scarlett said. “Listen, I’m pulling in for an appointment now. When do you want me?”
“Come over at five. We can talk and decide where to eat.”
“I’ll see you then.”
Scarlett got out of the car and headed for the elevators. She only prayed that everything with the baby was fine.
CHAPTER 22
Scarlett allowed the nurse to take a blood sample and then disrobed, putting on the thin paper gown. The room was freezing and goosebumps sprang up along her arms and legs. Fifteen minutes later, she heard voices outside and then Dr. Lennon entered the room.
“Hello, Scarlett. It’s good to see you.”
She loved Dr. Lennon’s open, Midwestern face. Her brown eyes radiated warmth and friendliness. Taking a seat on a stool, she placed her iPad on the counter and tapped until she brought up Scarlett’s file.
“Your weight is good. BP is down slightly, but that’s normal in the first trimester or two.” Dr. Lennon turned from the screen. “Your blood test confirmed it. You’re pregnant!” When Scarlett didn’t speak, Dr. Lennon frowned. “You look apprehensive. Is this an unwanted pregnancy?”
