Chapter 25
Liv
“Don’t be so surprised,” I say, adjusting my headphones over my ears. “Not everyone’s been on a helicopter before.”
“Your last name is on a prominent building in the New York skyline. Guess I figured some perks came along with that.”
Angling my hips toward him, I add, “You know that my father and I aren’t close.
I’m the disappointment he didn’t ask for yada yada.
He didn’t take me on business trips or vacations.
My mom would travel with me during breaks from school.
It was just the two of us unless we were needed for a photo-op.
” I roll my eyes. “A family always looks better for promotional purposes or to land a big deal.” I put up with so much, and where did it get me?
Well, technically, in a helicopter with Noah. I guess it all hasn’t been so bad.
I continue by asking, “Want to hear the cherry on top of my childhood?”
“I’m starting to wonder if I do or not. It makes me fucking rage how he’s treated you.”
“Buckle up for this one.” Should I be sharing every dirty family secret? With Noah, I won’t sacrifice myself to protect my father anymore. “He took credit for every one of my accomplishments.”
“What?” I appreciate that he takes offense on my behalf. “What the hell do you mean?”
“When I graduated salutatorian, he reminded me that second place is the first loser. When his buddies told him congratulations at my graduation party, he said he guided me every step of the way. When I got into NYU, he told me NYU was no Yale, which is his alma mater. He was so disappointed that he could barely look at me. Later, I overheard him telling his cigar buddies that he chose NYU to expose me to new experiences. They clapped him on the back for it.” I drop my head back on the seat and roll my neck to face him again.
“I could go on, but it’s truly exhausting. ”
“I can only imagine.” He’s still staring at me like I’m a wounded animal he’s found on the side of the road. I hate seeing pity shape his handsome face, but I feel better for unloading.
“I’m not telling you so you feel sorry for me. I’m telling you so you understand that although I carry the Bancroft name, it’s always been on borrowed time. It’s like the lease will run out eventually, but I just don’t know when.”
“I grew up with money. Not helicopters. That’s all Harbor’s doing in the past couple of years.
Our house was happy for the most part. We’ve had our trials and wins.
As long as we had each other, we could get through anything.
But a big family has different personalities to contend with.
I can’t say I’ve had a hard life because I haven’t.
But as a family, we’ve faced a few demons. ”
“How are things now?”
Grinning, he replies, “I think with my brothers settling down, a serenity has come over the family.” He looks down at his shined shoes.
“They put my parents through hell, and in response, that made it easy on Marina and me. My parents realized they wanted to slow down and enjoy time with their family.”
My chuckle barely contains any humor. “So what you’re saying is there might be hope for my father?”
He exhales a long breath. “I don’t have the answer to that. I know there should be. On the other hand, I’m starting to be in the fuck-him camp.” He adjusts the headphones and asks, “How does he feel about Max?”
“You mean because he’s the male heir my father supposedly always wanted?
” I shake my head and look out the window at the beauty of the wooded land below.
In the distance is a large lake, but I turn back to Noah, finding him much more interesting.
“One day, he’ll try to step into Maxwell’s life and take that accomplishment away from me as well. ”
“Over my dead body.” The venom in his voice leaves me breathless, not in fear but some other emotion I’m unfamiliar with.
My chest feels fuller, my heart thunders, and a lightheadedness spins my head. Oh my God . . . No . . . can’t be. Is this what love feels like?
Am I in love?
I know I’m in lust with this man but love as well? The pilot tells us to prepare for landing.
It’s too late. I’ve already fallen.
Oh no. It’s true. I’m in love with Noah Westcott.
Will it be possible to keep ignoring the feelings blooming inside?
I must. I have no other choice. This weekend has been amazing, even more so that Max has his father in his life.
My relationship with Noah has been nothing less than incredible, but am I pushing this too far?
The last thing I want to be is clingy.
God, how embarrassing would that be? I’m sure women fall at his feet on the regular. Do I really want to be that needy?
No.
But why’d he have to go sounding all growly and protective over our son? Does he realize what that does to the ladies? To me, specifically?
The helipad is situated in the middle of a grassy field surrounded by trees on two sides, a large home with a pool, and another building that appears to be a smaller house.
Is he kidding me with this? “That’s quite the property,” I say with my eyes fixed on the stunning home.
Bancroft holds weight in New York society, but damn, I wish I was a Westcott about now. Wait . . . what?
I need to get my head out of the clouds.
He says, “That’s my parents’ home.”
Glancing back at him, I ask, “That’s where you grew up?”
“Yes. It was great exploring the woods, fishing at the lake, swimming all day on the weekends, tasting freedom in a way that some will never experience. We were allowed to run wild out here since there were no immediate neighbors.”
Seeing him smile as he looks out the window, there’s a distance in his eyes, not a longing but maybe memories springing to life. He has me wondering about the son we share and the life he wants for him. “Is that where you want Maxwell to grow up?”
Stretching his arm out, he angles toward me, rubbing my leg. “I want him to grow up with us present in his life. That matters more than the location.”
A lump in my throat has me nodding, though I cover his hand with mine in a show of solidarity when I’m unable to speak.
I’m not sure why I’m so emotional. I would love for Maxwell to experience a place like this.
As Noah said, to run wild without regard to concrete surroundings or people hurrying to get elsewhere.
I can already feel time slowing down just as we land. “He’d love it here,” I say, finally able to speak.
“What about you? Would you like to spend some time here?”
“It’s a beautiful place, Noah. I’m not sure how I fit into this life.”
Gently squeezing my leg, he says, “You’re Max’s mom and the mother of my child. You’re always welcome here.”
Noah hasn’t asked a thing of me since the moment he found out about our son.
He’s been supportive and kinder than I probably deserve.
He’s not made any threats except when we pushed each other to the brink the other night.
And that warning came with no threat of taking Maxwell away from me. Not once.
Dammit. It’s so clear now. I’m in love with this man. And I love being welcome here because of my relation to our son, but I want to be welcome here for my relationship with Noah as well.
I’m so screwed.
What am I going to do?
We set the headphones down, and Noah helps me out of the helicopter. But looking ahead at the large grassy field we’re expected to cross, I say, “There’s no way these heels will make it across this lawn without sinking.”
I reach down to take them off, but he says, “I’ll carry you.” The man is insatiable with this hero ego of his. I’d tease, but I also find him incredibly sexy. Balance, baby.
Lifting me in his arms, he starts across the vast area, holding me like I’m light as air. To say he’s given an ego boost for that would be an understatement. We both win.
With my arm hanging around his neck, I say, “The Westcotts are rich-rich.” I’m joking .
. . kind of. Not at all. They’re loaded.
It’s the quiet kind of wealth—not flashy and pretentious but the kind where they have a helicopter but choose to do their own laundry.
That’s not the kind of wealth I grew up around.
He chuckles. “My brother Harbor put in the helipad last year. We’re all busy, but it allows us to pop in more often. Since I haven’t been gone long, it’s the first time I’ve used it on my own traveling from Manhattan. It was a nice ride.”
I can’t even contain my awe, though I try. “Really nice.”
Setting me on my feet poolside, he says, “And then we can return home tonight. It’s a win.” I straighten my dress, not realizing he’s waiting on me until I look up again. With his hand out in offer, I take it, and we start walking together. “Ready to meet my parents?”
“What?”
He’s chuckling. “It’ll be okay. They’re going to love you.”
I tug him to a stop. When he turns back, I say, “What are you going to tell them?”
“The truth.”
Trying to keep my eyes in their sockets is becoming a struggle. “The truth about Maxwell? I thought—”
“The truth about us.”
“Us?”
He turns toward me, taking my other hand to hold as well.
“This weekend has been one of the best of my life. I don’t know what the future holds, but I’d like to introduce you as someone special in my life, someone who I’m seeing more than just tonight.
How do you feel about that? What are your thoughts? ”
“I . . .” I stare into his earnest eyes and hear the sincerity in his words.
To know he feels the same as I do . . . well, maybe not the love part, but to know he feels that this is something special means so much to me.
I lean in, close my eyes, and kiss him. When our lips part and our eyes open, I whisper, “I feel the same as you do.”
He smiles, and it’s the sweetest one I’ve seen.
He kisses me again and says, “I like hearing that.” We continue to walk with our hands gripping a little tighter.
“I still think we need to wait on telling them about Max. It kills me inside to keep Max a secret, but a rushed conversation about it during intermission isn’t the way it should be revealed. ”
“I agree, and as we mentioned, tonight is about your sister. Her final performance.”
His grin couldn’t be more genuine as he brushes my hair from my shoulder. “I’m jumping in feet first. If I’m going too fast for you, let me know, okay? We can slow down. Whatever you’re comfortable with.”
Swooning not only from the way he looks at me like I matter but also that he cares about my feelings has me ready to dive into the deep end with him. “I’m comfortable with this pace.”
“We’re on a steep learning curve here. You up for the climb?”
I’ve not felt this relaxed in so long. That’s one of the most remarkable things I’ve noticed about being in his presence. It’s more than easy; it’s comforting. “I’ve already packed my carabiners.”
His eyebrows shoot up. “You climb for real?”
Bursting out laughing, I shake my head. “No. I’ve just watched a lot of documentaries.” We start walking toward the house again. “Did I tell you that I’m really into sports documentaries?”
“First, you’re bingeing motorcycle gang series, and now sports documentaries? You are a fascinating woman, Liv Bancroft.”
Nudging him with my elbow, I laugh. “Right back at you, Noah Westcott. Except the woman part. You’re most definitely all man.”
“Thanks for the compliment.” He opens the door, and we enter the kitchen. I didn’t expect to have such a large house feel cozy inside, but this one manages it.
A note next to a bouquet draws him to the island. I’m given a chance to look around. The house is still grand, but it’s warm and inviting like every space is lived in.
“I have the tickets, and the flowers I ordered for my sister arrived.”
I turn back. “It’s a beautiful home.”
“Thanks.” He comes closer with hope returning to his eyes.
“We’re having a family gathering back here in two weeks.
A cookout, end of summer type get-together.
Took us weeks to find a weekend that worked for everyone.
My sister is wrapping her play, and my brothers have their schedules.
Their wives are busy with their careers.
A billion emails were exchanged before we narrowed it down, but we managed to.
Would you and Max like to come? That would be a good time to introduce you both to everyone. ”
I hate that his expression hinges on my answer. It shouldn’t be like that for him, as Maxwell’s dad. I step closer, resting my hands on the counter next to his. “Would it be easier if it were only you and Maxwell?”
Coming closer, he slides his hands around my waist, holding me to him. “Easier for whom?”
“For your family to have that time to adjust, time with him with me out of the way.” I wrap my arms around his neck but direct my gaze to his chest. “I don’t want to ruin Maxwell’s or their experience.”
“What are you talking about? Look at me, Liv. You don’t have to worry about them not accepting him. They are going to flip the fuck out from shock, but they will love him from the moment they meet. Trust me, his family just got huge.”
“Sounds like a dream for him.”
Slipping his hand around the back of my neck, he brings me for a kiss to my forehead. “For us, too. I also want you to meet them.” Taking a step back, he adds, “You don’t have to answer right now. The invitation stands.”
“Yeah?” The hope in his eyes has spread, invading my veins.
“Yeah.” He looks around. “I actually thought they might be here, but it’s too quiet, so I guess they’re out.” He doesn’t miss an opportunity and kisses me again.
Just as I get lost in this man, a throat clearing has us pushing apart. Startled, I look behind me. “Sorry for interrupting. I didn’t know anyone was here.”
The man begins to leave, but Noah says, “It’s okay, Dad.”
Dad?
And this is how I die.