“Once I get away from Houston, I’ll be fine,” Brooke told Mack with more bravado than she felt. “Most people have better things to do with their time than to worry about some billionaire’s ex-wife. Especially now that Nathan’s quit running off at the mouth.”
With one brow arched, she gave Mack the eye. Nathan had been inexplicably silent the last five days, a peculiarity that Mack claimed no knowledge of, though his smirk made her doubt the denial.
“I’d still feel better if a couple of us went along with you,” Mack insisted. “Maybe we could drive with you as far as Dallas.”
“We’ll see,” she said, too tired to argue. “For now, I’ll follow you to the Phantom Enterprises building. I don’t even know where it is.”
Traffic was light at two p.m. and, in less than twenty minutes, they arrived at Cole’s building, a mirrored high-rise with a parking lot on one side and a surprising amount of green space in front. Cole had told her the bottom was rented to a number of other businesses, but Phantom took up the top ten floors. As she entered the parking lot, she could see a small crowd of spectators gathered in the courtyard, with security holding a perimeter—a fact that made her heart race even more. She’d hoped the general public wouldn’t have caught wind of the press conference.
Following Mack, she drove toward the front of the building and parked in an area marked off with yellow cones. With each passing day, her increasing girth made climbing out of the car more difficult, but she stubbornly refused to accept any vehicle Cole offered as a replacement. The past three weeks had been the most miserable of her life, as she finally acknowledged that their relationship would never turn into a real marriage.
Though she longed to see Cole again, she dreaded this encounter with every bone in her body. To stand so close to him and not be able to touch him. To have their last time together in front of a group of strangers who would be judging every nuance of their expressions. All with the knowledge that she would drive away and most likely never see him again.
According to Mack, Cole had been trying to reach her on her cell phone. But she’d blocked him once again. She couldn’t risk a repeat of that last date. His kiss had awakened all the feelings she’d been trying to suppress. She’d been so foolish to let hope spring to life. She should’ve known he hadn’t suddenly fallen in love with her—he was too closed off to his feelings.
Perhaps the clue, written on the sealed envelope inside her purse, would lead him to his birth mom and the answers he sought. Maybe then he could actually be in a committed relationship. But she knew better than to put her life on hold and hope, by some miracle, he would show up on her doorstep in Oklahoma to declare his undying love.
Mack took her elbow when they reached the steps, guiding her up to where Cole was waiting. With his suit coat laid aside somewhere, he’d rolled up the sleeves of his starched white shirt. In contrast, she was wishing she’d worn a sweater against the chill in the early November air. As usual, he wore the signature cowboy boots that she now could’ve picked out of a line-up.
Why did he have to look so good? Those eyes… that broad jaw… that perfect body—she understood why so many women thought they were in love with him, and they hadn’t even experienced one of his foot massages.
When she arrived at his side, he turned, wrapping his arms around her in an embrace so tender she almost cried.
“You’re shaking,” he whispered in her ear. “Are you okay?”
“I’m just nervous. But we can’t do this. Everyone’s waiting.”
“Let them wait.” His arms tightened. “Can you stand up for this? Do you need a chair?”
His breath in her ear sent shivers down her spine, which only encouraged him to hold her tighter. Her cheeks heated as a hundred pairs of eyes observed their encounter, lights flashing and cameras running.
“Let’s get this over with,” she rasped.
He nodded, exchanging the hug for an arm around her shoulder that assured she was tucked against his side. Unyielding, he moved her with him toward the microphone.
“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming.” He addressed the reporters and camera operators gathered on the steps below, though he nodded acknowledgement to the spectators in the courtyard. “Since it seems certain people are intent on spreading rumors and lies about our private lives, Brooke and I are here to set the record straight. I’ll make a statement, and then we’ll answer a few questions, although we may deem some information too private to share.”
Brooke should’ve known Cole would protect her from probing questions. She would’ve relaxed completely, if she hadn’t been so self-conscious about having his arm around her. They had to be wondering why he was acting so affectionate when they were getting a divorce. For that matter, she wondered the same thing. He’d better not try to talk her into staying with him. She would probably dissolve into a puddle of tears right where she stood.
“First of all, let me put one particularly nasty rumor to rest,” said Cole. “Brooke did not trick or trap me into marriage. I had to beg her to marry me, and I did so, knowing full well that she was pregnant.”
His eyes darted toward Brooke, and she gave a confirming nod.
“Also, as you can see, Brooke and I are on good terms. We care deeply for each other. There’s no animosity between us.”
On her shoulder, his hand gave a little squeeze, and she looked up, noting a hard glint in his eye.
“And finally, let me say that I want the best for Brooke and her daughter. Even after the divorce is final, I will consider her under my protection.”
Her breathing was easier, though her knees were still trembling. She might not have to talk at all.
Hands shot into the air, “Mr. Miller! Mr. Miller!”
“Yes.” Cole pointed to a woman on the front row.
“Mr. Miller, whose name will be on the birth certificate as the father?”
He didn’t even glance Brooke’s way before answering. “I’m afraid that’s private.”
“Mr. Miller, when will the divorce be final?”
“We’re not sure. There’ve been some delays. I expect it will happen after the baby comes.”
“How much is the divorce settlement?”
“Brooke doesn’t have a lot of assets, so she’s only going to fork up fifteen hundred dollars.”
The crowd laughed and Cole winked at Brooke.
“We have a prenup, of course. But let’s just say I intend to make sure Brooke and her daughter are taken care of, though Brooke will soon have her counseling license and will probably start her own practice.” On her shoulder, his hand gave her a little shake for emphasis. “No doubt, she’ll be successful.”
He’d made sure of it, with that free plug. That he was still so thoughtful made it even harder to understand why he couldn’t bring himself to love her. He was obviously capable. There had to be something wrong with her. Was she too needy? Or too strong-willed?
“Mr. Miller, it seems like the two of you get along better than most married couples. Why are you getting divorced?”
For the first time, Cole hesitated, looking uneasy.
“I can’t answer that question, Rick. But I can tell you it has nothing to do with the baby.”
