Chapter Six

The next week only brings more sad news. My mom calls to tell me that my father needs surgery soon, and she starts to cry when she explains that they cannot afford it. Immediately, my remaining doubts about being surrogate disappear. I tell her not to worry-and truly mean it. I promise to send her money as soon as next week. It feels good to finally be able to help my family. It makes all the surrogacy drama worth it.

"You've been home a lot," Peter says as we eat on Saturday morning. "Did you quit your job or something?"

I shrug. "Yeah, it was starting to take too much of my time. I still have money left for bills, so don't worry."

"I wasn't, it's just nice to spend time with my roommate," he says, winking at me.

I stand when my phone vibrates, grabbing my bag from the counter. "I'm going out."

"See you later."

When I get outside, I scan the parking lot, looking for his Tesla. It surprises me when he emerges from a truck instead, wearing a dark blue suit with a white button-down shirt and black shoes-how did someone leave him at the altar?

"good morning," he nods as he opens the passenger door.

"Thank you." He gets in the driver's seat and reaches for his phone on the dashboard when it rings, my eyes catching sight of the expensive silver watch on his wrist. Looking out the window, my mind races with thoughts of Colton's lifestyle, the secrets he kept hidden. All week, I planned to confront him, to demand to know why he did not tell me who he is, but now that I am with him, I do not think I can do it. He is just too intimidating.

The drive to his place is silent, uncomfortable. For me, anyway. I do not know if he is always this unaffected, but he does not seem bothered at all.

"did you eat?" he as we walk in his condominium.

"I did." I say, taking a seat at his kitchen table. He gets himself a glass of wine before sitting in front of me and placing a packet in front of himself. I gulp slowly, knowing this is it. It is the only time I can ask about who he is…if I wait any longer, it will be too late. "Exactly when were you planning on telling me you're form a famous family?"

"took you long enough."

"That's it?" I ask, getting a little mad. Sure, he is the most intimidating man I have ever dealt with, but that is not going to keep me from showing him how annoyed I am.

He looks at me. "I usually don't need to tell people who I am-they just know.

"I didn't."

"I know," he says. "I was wondering how long it would take you to figure it out."

I rolled my eyes. "this isn't a joke, Colton. I am not interested on being followed or photographed I do not want people to know what I am doing for you.

"Why? Are you embarrassed?"

I look down at my lap. "I don't want my parents to find out," I say quietly before looking at him. "And I really don't want to have to worry about paparazzi on top of everything."

He nods once, his face unreadable. "I don't want that either, trust me. I am going to try to keep this under the table, Emily, but I cannot promise anything. But the only way to guarantee this stays secret is if I never see you, and I don't want that-I want to be with you on every step of the way."

His words take me by surprise, mostly because they are true. I am also surprised by how serious he is about this; he really wants a baby, and he wants to do the right thing. That is something I admire, at least.

"Listen- "he interrupts my thoughts. "-I knew you didn't realize who I was, and I took advantage of it. I just thought if I told you, you would not want to do this. I'm sorry."

Now wonder he is willing to pay so much money.

"it's okay," I say after a moment. "It's just…this is already complicated. I don't want to deal with cameras and magazines too."

"I won't let any of them touch you, Emily. But it is impossible for me to keep them from taking pictures and starting rumors. I hope you understand that."

"I guess I do."

"This is why it was important for me to get someone like you-clean, no dark secrets."

I nod, not knowing what else to say. It all makes sense and I hate it; part of me hoped Colton would not have any excuses or anything-something bad that would have allowed me to back out of the deal without guilt. But I just have to suck it up and deal with it when the time comes. "so, the contract…"

He slides the packet across the table. "You can read it if you want."

"oh, no, thank you."

He chuckles. "You're a college girl, though."

"That is exactly why. I have enough reading." I meet his eyes. "Besides, I trust you."

"You barely know me, yet you trust me?" he asks.

I shrug. "I don't think you're stupid enough to screw me over."

He suppresses a laugh. "You're much smarter than I thought Miss Valdez."

I smile, then take the pen and carefully sign my name. as I set down the pen, my eyes meet his smoldering blue ones and my breath hitches. There is no turning back now.