“Darling, eventually you need to tell her we have a relationship and we’re expecting a baby brother or sister for her.”
“I’m sure she heard your announcement to the restaurant. I need time to explain things to Emma in my own way. She’s just a little girl. For her whole life, it’s only been the two of us. I will deal with Emma my way, in my own time. You will not interfere with my daughter.”
“Fine. I’ll stay out of it. You can’t put it, or me, off forever.”
He knew that all too well, but it was early in the pregnancy, which meant he had time. They needed it to come to terms and figure out a way to make this work.
“I’m not putting you off. Once you provide the proof you’re pregnant, we’ll negotiate.”
“Negotiate. You’re so romantic, darling.” The sarcastic tone grated on his nerves.
He grabbed her wrist to stop her from leaving the table. “Let’s get one thing straight. Even if you are pregnant, I am not in love with you, and I’m not about to fall in love with you. This relationship wasn’t headed there in the first place. We enjoy each other in bed, it’s pretty much all we enjoy about each other. If you’re pregnant, we’ll negotiate the terms of the pregnancy and what we’re going to do once the baby is born.”
“You are sucking all the fun out of this. I thought you’d be pleased. I guess I was wrong. Let’s just go.”
“If you’re carrying my child, I will be pleased. I’ll be a good father and provide for you and the child. Like I said, we’ll negotiate.”
Cameron hated to think of this situation as some kind of business deal. He needed time to think about all his options. Marriage was the sensible thing. He wanted his baby to have a mother and a father.
“I’ll get Emma and see you at the car.”
Any way he looked at it, this had disaster written all over it. Ever the optimist, he hoped to turn this into an opportunity to have the family he’d dreamed of with Caroline.
Chapter Eleven
* * *
“AH, DAD, I’M not ready to go home yet. Marti is going to teach me how to play soccer with a quarter on the table.”
Cameron’s gaze shifted to Marti. A quarter sat on the tabletop in front of her. She put her hand over it, never taking her eyes from him.
“I have no idea what she’s talking about. We were sitting here using our very best manners. Honest.”
Cameron smiled and laughed. “I’ll bet you were. My daughter laughing and giggling over the restaurant noise proves it.”
“Sit down and join us, son. We’ve had dessert and dinner. I believe the salad is coming out next. And then the bread and appetizer.” George smiled, appearing to enjoy the evening’s events as much as Emma.
“You’re sure having a great time, Knight.”
“Who wouldn’t when they spend an evening with two beautiful women?”
Cameron thought about the comments Shelly made and her implying Marti was George’s mistress. He studied them sitting at the table together. George was on one side with Emma across from him and Marti beside Emma. Not an intimate way for the group to sit. He would have sat next to Marti, or as close to her as possible. They might brush legs under the table, or hold hands on top. Marti looked like she was more interested in Emma than a romantic evening with George.
“How did the two of you meet?” He tried to sound casual, but George caught something in his tone and his eyes narrowed a fraction.
“Marti saved my life today. To thank her, I invited her to dinner.”
George would be grateful to Marti for the rest of his days. Unfortunately, those days were numbered. He heard it ticking down even now. Tonight he’d make Marti an offer and hope she agreed to be a part of his plan. Cameron would be a big part of the plan too. Maybe George could fix this mess Cameron had gotten himself into with Shelly and give him the life he deserved. The life he should have had all along.
“Oh, George. That’s a little dramatic. The only thing I saved you from is catching a cold. You still might after we stood talking in the rain for half an hour.”
“What did everyone say when you walked into your meeting drenched?”
“The lawyers remained silent, of course, but my uncle asked if I swam to