Chapter 26
Stella
I was angry—angry at him for wanting to be here—but I let him come, and that was on me.
“Okay, let’s take a peek at that baby,” Dr. Gregario said, walking into the room.
He placed the doppler on my belly and turned up the sound.
“And here is the baby’s heartbeat. Nice and strong.” He smiled. “Look at that baby, all cozy and growing beautifully,” Dr. Gregario said as he took some measurements.
A single tear fell from my eye as I stared at my baby. He or she had already grown so much since my last visit. Miles leaned over and kissed my forehead, catching me off guard. Dr. Gregario noticed, and a soft smile crossed his lips. I wanted to reach over and smack Miles away, but feeling his lips on my skin soothed me.
“Your baby is right on schedule and looking good. I’ll see you next month,” Dr. Gregario said before leaving the room. “By the way. I know I don’t have to remind you that stress is bad for you and the baby, Stella.”
“I know, Dr. Gregario.”
“Okay. You two enjoy the rest of your day. Glenda will give you the ultrasound pictures.”
Miles and I climbed into the back of the Escalade.
“Weren’t you supposed to have class today?” Miles asked.
“How could I go when I had to be in court?” I cocked my head.
“Right. Sorry. My realtor called and told me that you said you didn’t need his services because you already found an apartment. Is that true?”
“Yeah. It is. I can do things on my own, Miles. I don’t need your help with anything.”
“Where are you living?”
“I’m not telling you that. Sean, can you please drop me off at that Starbucks up there? I have a couple of things to do in this area, and I need an iced coffee.”
“Of course, Stella.”
Sean pulled over, and Miles climbed out first to let me out. As I went to walk away, he grabbed hold of my hand.
“This isn’t the end, Stella.”
I stared at him, pulled out of his grip, and walked down the street.
* * *
Miles
I climbed back into the Escalade.
“Drop me off around the corner. I’ll catch a cab to the office. I want you to follow her today and find out where she’s living.”
“Really, Miles?” Sean said.
“Yes, really, Sean.” I arched my brow. “Report back to me later.”
He did as I asked, and I hailed a cab to the office. As I walked into my new office, I smiled. It was finally completed and exactly the way I envisioned it—light true gray walls with a dark gray wall accent where a curvature couch sat, a modern glass coffee table in front, and two matching chairs on each side.
“Nice color.” Isla smiled. “I love it.”
“My mother hated the color gray. In fact, she despised it.” I smirked, sitting in my new high-end leather executive chair behind my new desk. I pulled out the sonogram picture from my suit coat pocket.
“I need you to get me a frame for this. Something that matches my office.” I handed Isla the picture.
“Baby Bradshaw.” She smiled, staring at my child. “How did you get this? I can’t imagine Stella just handing it over to you, especially since your marriage was annulled this morning.”
“I went with her to her doctor’s appointment after court.”
“She let you?” Her brow arched.
“Not really. I didn’t give her a choice.”
“So, what’s going on, Miles? You want to play daddy now?”
“Isla, I don’t need your smartass remarks. Not today. I’m taking things one day at a time.”
“Okay, boss. If you say so. If you need me, I’ll be sitting out there at my beautiful new desk with a smile on my face.”
“No, you will leave the office, go to the store, and get me a frame for my baby’s picture. Make a note of the size and put it in your phone. You’re not taking it with you.”
“Now?” Her brows furrowed.
“Yes, now. And while you’re out, grab me a corned beef sandwich with extra swiss on an onion roll from the deli down the street.” I reached into my pocket, pulled out my wallet, and handed her a one-hundred-dollar bill. “Get yourself something, too, and keep the change.”
“Damn.” She grinned, grabbing the hundred from my hand. “What has gotten into you?” She strutted out of my office.
I picked up my phone, turned my chair around, and called Levi. My brows furrowed when I heard a ringing phone.
“Calling me, are you?”
Turning my chair around, I smiled when I saw Levi standing in my office doorway.
“I’m digging this new look, Mr. Hotshot CEO.” He grinned.
“Step into my humble office, my friend.” I stood up and hugged him.
“You get your shit together yet?” His brow arched.
“I’m getting there.” I smirked. “Can I pour you a drink?” I asked, walking over to my bar.
“Do you have any scotch hiding over there?”
“I do.” I smiled and grabbed two glasses and a bottle of scotch. “Have a seat on my new couch, and let me know what you think.”
“Damn, Miles. This is nice.”
I handed him his drink and sat in the chair facing the couch.
“Are you officially a single man again?” Levi asked.
“I am.” I tipped the glass to my lips.
“You could have stopped it. Honestly, I’m surprised you didn’t.”
“I have my reasons for going through with it. I need to show you something.” I stood up, walked over to my desk, picked up the sonogram picture, and handed it to Levi.
“Is this—” He looked at me.
“Yes.”
“Wow, Miles. How did you get this?”
“I went with Stella to her doctor’s appointment after court.”
Levi’s brows furrowed. “She let you?”
“You sound like Isla. I didn’t really give Stella much of a choice. She wasn’t happy about it and told the doctor I was the sperm donor.”
“Ha.” He laughed. “So now what?”
“I don’t know.” I sighed. “I miss her, man. Three months ago, I was happy to go home and be alone. I craved it after a long day at the office. And now, it’s the last place I want to go to at the end of the day.”
“Look at you, Miles Bradshaw. You’re growing up.” Levi smirked.
“Shut the fuck up.” A smile crossed my lips.
“Win her back,” Levi said.
“She’s so angry, Levi.” I shook my head. “She hates me.”
“She doesn’t hate you. She’s deeply hurt. You rejected her and your baby. Imagine how you would feel if someone did that to you.”
I arched my brow at him.
“Your parents were a different situation. Put yourself in her shoes and go make things right. You’re starting over, Miles. At thirty-two years old, this monstrous company is all yours. You love Stella, and you have a baby on the way. Life doesn’t get any better than that, man.” He smiled, standing up from the couch. “Thanks for the drink. I have to get going. Love the new office.” He hugged me. “I’ll talk to you later.”
As I was sitting behind my desk, thinking about Stella, Isla walked in and set the bag with my sandwich in it on my desk.
“I also got you a grumpy-sunshine smoothie.” She grinned.
“What the hell is that?” My brows furrowed.
“The deli you love so much now sells smoothies.”
“Since when? I was just in there last week,” I said, taking my sandwich out of the bag.
“They started selling them yesterday. They have a whole line with great names. They named that one after you.”
“They did not.” I narrowed my eyes at her.
“Yes, they did. I asked Owen, and he confirmed it. Taste it.” She unwrapped the straw and stuck it through the lid. “Go on.”
Shaking my head, I brought the straw to my lips and took a sip.
“Damn. This is phenomenal.”
“See. Owen said you’ll go from grumpy to a ray of sunshine after you drink it.” A bright smile crossed her lips. “Anyway, where’s your baby’s picture? I bought this awesome frame that’ll look great on your desk.” She pulled the frame from the box.
I picked up the sonogram picture and handed it to her. She neatly tucked it into the frame and set it on my desk. I stared at it and smiled.
“I love it, Isla. Thank you.”
“Excuse me? Say that again? I don’t think I heard you correctly.”
“I love it, Isla. Thank you. Now, get the hell out of here and get back to work.”
She smirked, pointing her finger at me. “Ray of sunshine, boss. Ray of sunshine.”