your gut telling you?” he asked.
“That I need to see a lawyer.”
He nodded. “I agree. But in the meantime?”
She sighed. “I’m inclined to let her go. Act as reasonable as I can but insist she come home tomorrow, and give Lilah a chance to prove she’s not fit to be a mother or, better yet, let her get bored of the responsibility.”
He grasped her hands in his. “Then trust yourself. Now another question. Why did you call me?”
A wry smile pulled at her lips. “Because I need backup from my fiancé to make sure my ex-stepmother from hell understands she has to bring Hannah back tomorrow. Or else.”
His heart pounded harder in his chest. So this was a go.
“Once Lilah realizes that I got caught leaving my fiancé’s house and not some random hookup, she’ll realize who you are and the resources at your disposal and think twice about trying to walk all over me.” Macy straightened her shoulders. “Not that I’d let her, but I’ll take all the leverage I can get. And you, Mr. Famous Baseball Player, give me power I wouldn’t otherwise have.”
He looked at her, her porcelain skin and pink lips surrounded by gorgeous light brown hair, staring at him with hope and trust in her brown eyes. “Is the offer still on the table?” she asked of their fake marriage.
He drew a calming breath and nodded. “It is.”
“Logistics to be determined,” she added, “But–”
“Macy, what’s the holdup? I want to get going,” an adult female voice called out from another part of the house.
Macy slid her hand in his. “Let’s do this.”
Every time Jaxon stepped onto the field, he wrapped himself in his All-Star persona to put on a show. Telling himself this situation was no different, he rolled back his shoulders, squeezed Macy’s hand for reassurance, and let her lead the way.
He followed her down a short hall and into a room, stopping at the chaos before him. There were clothes everywhere, no space to walk, with garments hanging out of open drawers and shoes added to the mix on the floor. Tiny lights were strung around the room and outlined a tapestry over the double bed. And like Macy had told him, a huge suitcase sat on the mattress, stuffed full for a much longer time than one night.
A teenager with a pink stripe in the front of her hair stared at him open-mouthed, and her mother, a woman dressed younger than her years, with heavy blonde highlights, lips with filler, and enough Botox to prevent muscle movement, also stared with obvious recognition in her eyes.
“Macy, what in the world? What is Jaxon Prescott doing here?” the woman asked.
Jaxon lifted their entwined hands, then let go and pulled Macy against him, liking the feel of her soft body against his. “We’re engaged.”
“What?” Hannah shrieked. “I thought that picture meant it was a one-night hookup. Oh, my God!”
Macy leaned into him, playing the role. “It all happened so fast, but that’s what happens with…” She hesitated then said, “Love at first sight.”
Lifting Macy’s hand, he kissed her knuckles. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Hannah. I’ve heard a lot about you. And you must be Hannah’s mother.” He turned to the woman with calculation in her eyes.
“Yes, I’m Lilah.” She extended her hand for a dainty shake.
“Obviously you know all about us. But we know nothing about you. Macy, how could you spring this on your sister?”
“I was planning on sitting Hannah down and introducing them this weekend, but you’re here, and you said you were taking Hannah for the night, so I called Jaxon to come over now,” Macy explained, not missing a beat.
Lilah glanced between Macy and Jaxon, the wheels obviously turning. She was looking for any angle to help herself or figure out Macy’s plan.
“I want to go with Mom.”
Macy was unable to hide the full-body flinch her sister’s words caused.
“And you can’t stop me from taking Hannah.” Lilah pulled her daughter closer to her.
“Actually, I can prevent you from leaving. I have custody.” She glanced at Hannah, her gaze softening. “But I won’t as long as you’re home in time for dinner tomorrow.”
“But–”
“It’s called compromise,” Macy informed her sister, but Jaxon knew she was communicating with Lilah.
“Fine,” the other woman said through clenched teeth.
“Hannah, finish packing. Lilah, a word?” Macy tipped her head toward the door, and Lilah dutifully headed into the hall.
Macy shut the door behind her before either of them spoke.
“Lilah, what is it you want? Responsibility for