The Baby Pact (Babies and Billions Book 5) Read online

  “There’s a skating rink at the mall, right?”

  Rhea laughed. “Oh, wow, I’d forgotten about that! You and I used to go every fall! We said it was going to be our tradition!”

  “The tradition died after three years,” Zach said. “But I thought we could resurrect it now, if you’re up for it.”

  “I’m definitely up for it,” she said. “Should I meet you there? What time is good?”

  “Five o’clock?” he asked. “We can get pretzel dogs for dinner.”

  He’d wanted to take her to a fancy restaurant for their first meal back together, but he wanted her to see that he was still the same guy she had known in college, too. He wasn’t above eating at the mall food court.

  “That sounds great,” Rhea said. “I’ll look forward to it.”

  They ended the call. Zach poured his coffee and sat down at the table, trying to calm his racing heart. He couldn’t believe he was already so excited to see her again, though it hadn’t yet been a full day.

  “So you downplayed your job a little bit,” Rhea said as they laced up their skates.

  He glanced over at her anxiously, afraid that she might be annoyed with him, but she was smiling.

  “I guess I did,” he admitted. “I didn’t want to make a big deal out of it.”

  “But it is a big deal!” Rhea said. “You started your own company, Zach. That’s huge. And organic catering is perfect for you. You’re not just helping the environment, you’re working with food. You always loved cooking, and you were so good at it. I’m not at all surprised that something like this happened.”

  “Yes you are,” Zach said, laughing.

  “Okay, I am,” Rhea allowed. “But it also makes perfect sense. What did you do, take out a loan after college?”

  “No, I actually got really lucky,” Zach said. He hesitated. This part of the story always sounded made up, and there was really no good way to relate it. “My dad won the lottery.”

  Rhea sat bolt upright. “What? Are you serious?”

  “I know,” Zach said. “It sounds crazy. But I swear, it happened. He bought a ticket on a whim, and he won. And then he invested his winnings well, and suddenly… well, we had a lot of money.”

  “That’s amazing, Zach.” Rhea’s voice was utterly sincere. “I’m so happy for you. That must have created a lot of opportunities.”

  “It didn’t happen until I had finished college,” Zach said. “I thought about going back to school, but I realized that there was no shame in my community college degree, so I decided to look into starting work.” He grinned. “But first I took a gap year, like your brother did.”

  “I never did that,” Rhea admitted. “I could have, but I wanted to get to work. I wanted to move out of my parents’ house and stop depending on them as soon as I could.”

  Zach nodded. “I get that,” he said.

  “So what did you do with your year off?”

  “Mostly, I spent it learning about organics,” he said. “I’d already gotten into environmental issues by that point, but I still had a lot to learn about the subject. I read up on composting and the benefits of eating vegan—though I was never able to go full vegan, obviously. But when I opened EcoKitchen, one of my top priorities was to make sure there were plenty of vegan options in every section of the menu.”

  “That’s great,” Rhea said. “And your father took care of the startup costs for you?”

  “He did,” Zach said. “But the business did well, and I was able to pay him back in just three years.”

  “That’s so great,” Rhea said. “I was reading up on your company online last night.”

  “You researched me, huh?” He grinned.

  “Well, I had to, didn’t I?” she asked. “You weren’t going to tell me about it!”

  “I would have told you eventually,” he said. “I just didn’t want to go right to that on the first day I saw you again.”

  “I get it,” Rhea said. “But really, Zach, you could have told me. I think it’s great. I’m really proud of you.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Definitely. I always knew you were capable of great things.”

  “Well, what about you?” he asked. “You haven’t exactly let the grass grow under your feet, becoming partner at Green Destiny. That firm is a big deal. Tons of the events I cater are at buildings that were designed by Green Destiny.”

  “That makes sense,” Rhea said. “Our clients are pretty concerned with environmentally friendly choices, so it makes sense that they would hire us and you.”

  Zach nodded. “You’ve literally changed the landscape of Baltimore,” he said. “I especially love that office building downtown with the exposed rafters. Did you have a hand in that?”

  “That was my first design!” she exclaimed. “It was the first project they put me on after I started.”

  Zach grinned, delighted. “No wonder I like it so much,” he said. “I must have recognized your hand in it.”

  “How long have you been in Baltimore?” Rhea asked.

  “I just moved back a few months ago,” Zach said. “I’ve been in Philadelphia since college, roughly. But EcoKitchen is doing really well, and we just opened our third location.”

  “And it’s here?”

  “Yes,” Zach said. “I did consider College Park, actually, but I thought our business prospects were better here.”

  “That explains why I hadn’t heard of you,” Rhea said. “You’re new to the area. I was wondering how such a successful green company could have escaped my notice.”

  “Yeah, we don’t have a lot of clients in Baltimore yet,” Zach said. “Our advertising is still focused in Philadelphia and New York. The marketing department is putting together a plan that we hope will appeal to potential clients in this area.”

  “You’ve got one client already,” Rhea said. “I’m in charge of booking caterers whenever my company has parties, and I’m definitely hiring you next time. My partners will love the green concept. We’ve never worked with an organic catering company before. It’s perfect for our company.”

  “That’s great,” Zach said, grinning. “I look forward to working together.”

  They got out onto the ice. Zach sailed around the perimeter of the rink, laughing as he watched Rhea cling to the barrier to stay upright. He had forgotten what a terrible skater she was. Her ankles bowed inward every time she tried to move without holding herself up. For a runner, her skills really were lacking.

  He came up behind her and took her hands in his, guiding her away from the wall, propelling her forward.

  She clutched at his hands as he steered them. “Oh my God, Zach.”

  “I’m not going to let you fall,” he promised. “Once around, and then we’ll go get some hot chocolate at the Christmas market.”

  “The Christmas market is already open?” She glanced in the direction of the open-air pavilion where the booths were set up. “It’s only October.”

  “Haven’t you heard? Christmas arrives sooner each year.”

  Rhea laughed. “I guess it’s for the best. I do love Christmas shopping.”

  He nodded. “I remember that about you.”

  “Really?”

  “I don’t know. It’s like, ever since last night, little details I thought I had forgotten keep coming back to me.” He hesitated. “I really am sorry I let so much time go by, Rhea. I should have gotten in touch with you a long time ago.”

  “You couldn’t have,” she told him. “You didn’t know where I was.”

  “I could have found you. You weren’t hard to track down.”

  “Well, I could have found you too,” she said. “After that fight, I just thought you wouldn’t want to see me.”

  He glanced down at her. “So we’re talking about the fight?”

  “I wasn’t going to bring it up,” she admitted. “But I guess it’s better if we acknowledge it and move on, right?”

  “It was stupid,” Zach said. “It was all my fault. I think I
picked a fight, honestly, because I thought it would be easier to let go of you if I was angry.”

  “It wasn’t all your fault,” Rhea argued. “I’m the one who was acting like a know-it-all. I assumed I knew what was best for you, and that you weren’t listening to me because you weren’t smart enough to understand how good my ideas were. I should have realized that you had already made your choice. I should have supported you.” She shook her head. “I just didn’t want you to leave, that’s all.”

  They left the ice, changed back into their shoes, handed in their skates, and walked toward the Christmas market. Little wooden booths stood at intervals, and merchants sold handmade ornaments, candles, and seasonal treats.

  Zach bought them a bag of roasted honey almonds to share and a couple of hot chocolates.

  “I love things like this,” he said as they walked toward the center of the market. “They’re so cheerful. My dad used to take me to them all the time when I was a kid.” He laughed. “Of course, we didn’t have any money back then, so I would save up my allowance for months beforehand to make sure I’d have enough to buy Dad a present.”

  “That’s so sweet,” Rhea said. She popped an almond in her mouth. “How is your dad, by the way?”

  Zach hesitated. “He died,” he said. “About five years ago.”

  “Oh, Zach.” She rested a hand on his arm. “I’m so sorry.”

  “It’s all right,” he said. “It was definitely really hard at first. He was my only family, you know?”

  “I know. I’m so sorry that happened.”

  “I have good people in my life now,” Zach said. “Good friends, good coworkers. I’m doing all right.”

  “You have me now, too,” Rhea said. “I won’t let anything drive us apart again.”

  Zach smiled. “I hope not,” he said. “Now that I’ve found you again, I don’t think I could stand to let you go.”

  They left the mall, and Rhea led the way toward her neighborhood, claiming she wanted to show him where she lived. She stopped outside a bar with a bright red door.

  “This is where you live?” Zach teased.

  She swatted his arm. “This is my favorite bar,” she said. “Want to see?”

  “Definitely.”

  She led the way inside. It was exactly what he would have expected from Rhea—charming but low-key, with sawdust on the floor and rustic wooden tables.

  “It’s like Hill’s,” he said.

  She grinned. “I think so. Go find a place for us to sit. I’ll get drinks.”

  “I can’t let you buy!”

  “Zach,” she said firmly. “You bought dinner last night. You paid for the skate rentals and the hot chocolate today. I am going to buy you a drink. Sit down.”

  He laughed. “All, right, all right, fair enough.” He turned away and went to find himself a seat.

  She was back from the bar in just a few moments, two beers in hand.

  “You’ll like this,” she said, pushing one of them across the table toward him. “It’s local. Really hoppy. I know you like that.”

  He did like that. He was pleased that she’d remembered.

  I guess I’m not the only one who’s remembering things now that we’re back in each other’s lives.

  They drank their beers, laughing together and reminiscing about old times.

  Rhea reminded Zach of the painting class they had taken together sophomore year and the experimental techniques their professor had insisted that they try. Zach brought up the time they had gone with a group of friends to the state park a short distance from campus and gone swimming in the lake in nothing but underwear and T-shirts.

  After they had each had a few beers, Rhea reached out and rested her hand atop his.

  “We’re right here in the neighborhood,” she said. “Why don’t you come see my apartment? I’d like to show you where I live.”

  Zach’s heart beat a little faster. When they’d been on campus together, they had spent time in each other’s rooms all the time. But this felt different somehow. They were adults. Inviting someone back to your home had a different connotation now than it had back then.

  “I’d love to see it,” he said.

  He followed her out of the bar and down the block, his head spinning, his heart leaping with hope and anticipation. There had been chemistry between Rhea and him when they had known each other in school, but he had assumed they’d missed their window.

  But maybe we haven’t. Maybe there’s still a possibility.

  Rhea stopped outside a spacious-looking brownstone. “Here we are,” she said, her voice quiet and nervous.

  Zach reached out and took her hand. “Lead the way,” he said.

  Chapter 8

  Rhea

  The two weeks that followed were some of the greatest of Rhea’s life.

  She and Zach hardly went outside except to go to work. All day long, when she should have been focusing on the responsibilities of Green Destiny and the needs of her clients, she found herself slipping away to text Zach about plans for that evening.

  They alternated between staying at her place and staying at his. Zach’s apartment was spartan but luxurious, wired for comfort so that he could control just about anything, from the lights to the temperature to the music that was playing, without getting up. Rhea loved it there, but Zach insisted that her apartment had the better kitchen, and that he was eager to cook for her.

  For the first three days or so, they ate nothing but takeout, placing orders between lovemaking sessions. They spent the bulk of their time in bed, leaving only to shower or fetch the things they needed from the kitchen.

  “Are we making this official?” Zach asked her one morning, an hour before she had to get up and make herself presentable for work.

  They were lying cuddled together in bed, sharing an omelet from a plate. It was the first time Zach had officially cooked for Rhea since their reunion, and she was loving it.

  “I’ll make it official right now if it means I can have breakfast in bed every day,” she said, giggling.

  “You can,” Zach said. “I love making breakfast. It’s the most important meal of the day.”

  “Is this all organic?” she asked, indicating the omelet ingredients. He’d used golden-yolk eggs, goat cheese, tomatoes, green peppers, and parsley.

  “Yes,” he said. “I get my vegetables from a local farmer’s market on Hennessy Street. Have you been?”

  “No,” she said. “I didn’t even know there was a farmer’s market around here.”

  “I’d love to take you,” he said. “Maybe next weekend?”

  She hesitated. She had been putting off telling him about her plans.

  “I have to go to my parents’ house next weekend,” she said. “We’re doing Thanksgiving.”

  He frowned. “Next weekend is not Thanksgiving.”

  “No, it’s not,” she agreed. “We’re doing it early because Mom and Dad are going to St. Maarten for the holiday.”

  “Gotcha,” he said. “Well, that’s fine. You and I can celebrate real Thanksgiving together!”

  She almost slipped and asked him how it was that he didn’t have other plans, but she caught herself in time.

  His father’s gone. Holidays must be a very lonely time for Zach.

  “I’d love to do Thanksgiving with you,” she said, smiling. “And honestly, I’d bring you home to my parents’ place, but—”

  “This is still new,” Zach said, cutting her off. “We don’t need to worry about that yet.”

  She was glad he had said so. She had worried a little about what might happen when she told him she was going home, and whether he would want to be invited along. After all, he had met her family before.

  But Rhea had never quite forgotten what her father had said to her that day at school about never associating with Zach again. He had said that Zach wasn’t the right kind of person for her to be friends with.

  That was a difficult thing to put from her mind.

  Of cou
rse, she knew that her father wasn’t the kind of person to disparage those less fortunate than himself. Whatever had come over him that day, she was sure it would be long forgotten now.

  At least, she was almost sure.

  I wish I hadn’t told Zach what he said!

  That was the thing she regretted most about their fight. In a moment of anger, she had lashed out at him. She could see that he’d long since forgiven her, but she hoped the idea hadn’t stayed with him.

  I never felt that way. I never thought any less of Zach, regardless of how much money he had.

  If anything, she had admired him back then. She had had such a crush on him, though she would never have been able to admit that to herself at the time.

  But I wouldn’t want Zach to feel as though I only have feelings for him now because he has money.

  No, it was definitely best to put off telling her parents about Zach for as long as possible.

  Rhea spent most of the drive home the next weekend preparing answers in her head for the questions she knew she would be asked. Whenever she saw her parents, they wanted to know whether she was seeing anyone, and the question had never posed any real complications because the answer had always been no.

  But now she had something she genuinely wanted to keep to herself.

  If they ask, I’ll just say I’m focusing on work.

  They would approve of that. Her parents had always been extremely proud of the work Rhea did. Though it went unsaid in the family, Rhea knew that her father had quietly wished that she would follow him into the family business, working at the distillery as her brother did. But he had accepted it with grace when she had told him that wasn’t the right career path for her.

  It was a short drive from her apartment to her parents’ house. Their mansion was on the outskirts of Baltimore—they had bought a huge plot of land there and built the house before Rhea was born. Driving up the massive driveway always took Rhea back to her childhood.

  Her memories had been the same as every other small child’s—learning to ride a bike, playing tag with her brother, picnicking on the lawn, marking off bases to play kickball. It wasn’t until she had reached adulthood that she’d realized how unique the backdrop of all her childhood memories was, that not everyone grew up on thirty acres with gardens, a swimming pool, and a half basketball court.