Part 17 (2/2)

”Thanks. He's quite an amazing little kid.” Gates felt an overabundance of pride at the sound of Evan calling him dad. It was one of the best feelings he'd ever felt watching his son go from crawling to walking.

”Sounds like it. It also sounds like you got to spend some good quality time together.”

”Yes, he's a busy little guy. His birthday's coming up and I told Sloane I wanted to do something great for him. The only problem is we are closing the Paxon deal that same week.”

”Don't worry, we'll figure something out. But I was referring to you and Sloane. You two got to spend some time together too, right?”

”We spent all our time with Brayden.”

”So, you two didn't talk or anything?” Evan probed.

”Evan, stop. I know where you're going with this.” He knew what Evan was up to with all of the questions, but he had no clue if Sloane still felt the same way about him anymore and he wasn't about to risk being made a fool of again. It wasn't like he hadn't thought about Sloane. He hadn't thought about much else. She was absolutely beautiful and it was amazing how good she could make even a simple t-s.h.i.+rt and a pair of shorts look without even trying. The vision of those dark curly locks carelessly tousled across her shoulders and the love in her eyes when she stared at Brayden took his breath away.

”Gates, come on. You and I both know you still have feelings for Sloane. That's how all of this started in the first place.”

”Evan, a lot has happened in a short amount of time and I'm sure the feelings aren't there for Sloane anymore.” In a way, Gates hoped she did still have some feelings for him, but he figured it was a long shot; especially after all they'd been through. ”She's focused on Brayden. She even said that a couple of times, so why go there?”

”Gates, seriously, the two of you need to face it. You can't get away from each other. It's time for one of you to make a move.”

”Well, if anyone makes a move, it'll be Sloane. With the way things have gone in the past and me taking her to court over Brayden, I'm pretty sure she doesn't want that anymore. I'm only Brayden's father.”

”I personally think you're wrong. Yes, there may be some hurt feelings but if you got a chance to really talk then you'd see that you belong together.”

”So, what happened?” Sloane looked up to see Liyah walk into her office and plop down in the chair in front of her. ”How was Gates' visit?”

”It was good. He got to spend a lot of time with Brayden and we took him to the beach and the aquarium and he really had a lot of fun. You should've seen Brayden's eyes when he saw the water at the beach, it was like-”

”Sloane, great, he had fun with Brayden and Brayden had fun with him. I want to know if Gates had fun with you?”

”You're so basic. Do you ever think of anything else besides that?” Sloane grimaced and stood up to file one of the folders on her desk. She was trying her best to keep her mind off of Gates, but it was getting harder and harder and Liyah wasn't helping the situation. It was hard to keep anything else on her mind the entire weekend. Especially when she'd walked out of her room one night to run into him in the hallway with nothing but a towel on after his shower. His hair was damp and her eyes seemed to zero in on his chest and the way the water droplets seem to trickle down the ridges of his stomach to disappear into the terrycloth. The smooth skin on his chest and the way his muscles rippled underneath awakened sensations in her body she hadn't felt in over a year. She quickly made her way past him to get a gla.s.s of water.

”Of course, but I can't imagine why you would think of anything else when you had that gorgeous man in your house all weekend. You've been there and done that. You aren't the least bit curious as to what it would be like to be with him again?” Liyah leaned over and grinned at Sloane.

”Liyah, Gates was here to spend time with Brayden. What did you want me to do, parade around in my underwear to seduce him? The way you put it, I should be trying to get him in bed from the time he hits the doorway.”

”Whatever works, honey.”

”Sick mind.” She hated to admit it, but she'd desperately fought her attraction to Gates the entire weekend. He had the most intense eyes and he still kept himself in impeccable shape. Admittedly, she'd had the same ideas about Gates that Liyah did from the time he appeared in her doorway that Friday. In all actuality, it was the only thing she continuously thought about.

”Come on Sloane. You two have history and the chemistry is still there. Why can't you admit it?”

”Liyah, regardless of if I still have feelings for Gates, which I have admitted to, I'm pretty sure he doesn't feel the same. He couldn't after what I've done. I kept his son from him for almost a year. Even though we're civil to one another, I'm pretty sure he doesn't trust me, nor want me back in his bed.” Sitting at her desk, Sloane glanced at her monitor before looking at Liyah.

”You sure about that?”

”Yes, I'm pretty sure. So can we drop this?”

Sighing, Liyah shrugged. ”Fine, but I don't think you should give up on something you don't know for certain. All jokes aside, this could be the opportunity for you to give Brayden the family you've always wanted him to have. Wouldn't it be terrible to get this far and not push it to the next level because you aren't sure if it would work? You've done that before and now look at how things are turning around.” Liyah stood and walked across the room to the door, pausing to look at Sloane.

”Well, I guess we'll never know, because I'm not trying to make a fool of myself. Right now things are going well with Gates visiting and spending time with Brayden. I don't want to do anything to mess with it.”

”I still can't believe he did all of this.” Liyah repeated the same sentence over and over again standing in Sloane's backyard. The entire area was now the street scene from Sesame Street for Brayden's first birthday. Sloane planned on making sure all of the decorations were a Sesame Street theme because of Brayden's love of Elmo. Of course, once Gates got wind it was his favorite he'd taken it upon himself to go all out for the party. ”So what time will he be here?” Liyah asked.

Still in awe of the amount of decorations and the things that had been set up in her backyard, Sloane smiled. There was no end to how much Gates would do for Brayden. It made her feel good knowing the little boy would know the man loved him more than his own life.

”He said around three. He's been in Seattle all week trying to tie up a deal and he was going to get out of there as soon as he could. He called to make sure everything had been delivered though.” Sloane busied herself with some last minute details as she thought about Gates. She really hoped he would be able to be there for their son's birthday, but it wasn't looking good. Maybe she was making a mistake to think things had changed. Gates was still the CEO of a huge company and there were always going to be more important things. Her thinking Brayden was going to come first with him, just because he was his son was probably a mistake.

”This is too much. He's really getting into this Dad thing isn't he?”

”He's really good with Brayden and Brayden adores him.”

”You adore him too, don't you?”

”Stop it, Liyah. Gates and I are co-parenting Brayden and that's it.” She didn't want to even entertain any thoughts of them reuniting. As it stood he was already running late and she couldn't bear the thought of her having to explain to her son why daddy wasn't showing up for events. She knew right now Brayden wouldn't understand. He was too young, but she didn't want a life of those same disappointments peppering his memories as he grew.

”Whatever you say, Sloane. I think both of you are denying what's really between you.”

”Liyah, I told you before. Gates isn't thinking about me like that. He's focused on Brayden and what's best for him and giving him a great life. I left Gates. I betrayed his trust and I'm pretty sure he isn't over that.”

”Oh, come on. Look around you. Do you see all the things this man is doing to make his son happy? It's not just for Brayden. A lot of it has to do with you. He still loves you and he wants to make sure both of you are happy.”

”Liyah-”

”Sloane, don't count out the possibility. Think about what I said.”

”Whatever, let's get this stuff finished before everyone gets here okay?” Sloane tried to get her mind back on the snacks and goodie bags for the party. She was a little disappointed her aunt wasn't going to make the party. Unfortunately, she was battling the flu and she didn't have the energy to get out of bed. It wouldn't be the same without her there, but Sloane understood. She invited a whole host of people. Co-workers with children and of course, Liyah, Chase and Hannah, but the guest she was truly looking forward to seeing was Gates. She had to admit she was excited about the possibilities of them growing closer as they raised Brayden. As soon as Chase and Hannah arrived, they helped her and Liyah finish goodie bags and kept Brayden occupied. It wasn't going to be too long before guests would arrive and Sloane was getting a little worried Gates wouldn't be there. She wanted him to be able to see Brayden's face when he entered his very own Sesame Street.

”He'll be here.” Liyah chirped when Sloane glanced at her watch.

”I should've known he wouldn't show. I guess some things don't change.” She frowned, thinking that she was right. He was going to do to Brayden exactly what he'd done to her.

”He was in Seattle right? That's a long flight and you never know, he may have been delayed. I'm sure he'll be here. Right?” Liyah nudged Chase and shrugged her shoulder towards Sloane.

”Yes, of course. I'm sure he's on his way.”

”Thanks guys, but you don't have to make any excuses for Gates, okay. He's busy. I'm used to the routine.” She left them to finish up while she went to greet the arriving guests.

”I guess it isn't a surprise he isn't here.” Hannah watched Sloane greeting the guests and their children, who were already a bundle of energy, coming in the house.

”Give the guy a break. I'm sure he's on his way. This is new to him.”

”Wow, Chase, never thought you'd be on his side.” Hannah looked at her boyfriend sideways.

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