Damn it.
Nash glanced back to the coveted stallion in question. Could he seriously go through with this? Just take the prizewinning horse and move on? Everything he’d wanted was right within his reach; all he had to do was grab hold.
What would Damon say once he learned the truth? Deceiving the man was initially the plan, but, now that Nash had actually spent time here and gotten to know this family, he cared for them in a way he never would’ve imagined.
Turning down this gesture, however, would require an explanation Nash wasn’t quite ready to disclose yet. So he tightened the web he’d woven around himself and turned back to Damon.
“I’ll take good care of him,” Nash said with a smile that didn’t quite come from his heart.
Damon’s shoulders relaxed as his lips curved into a grin. “Anything for my only son.”
The guilt knife twisted deeper, leaving Nash more vulnerable than he’d ever thought possible. He’d officially become the man he never wanted to be. Because in the end, he would tear apart the relationships he’d just started to build, relationships he realized he wanted more than anything.
He hadn’t even known how much he longed for a family until he came here. Then when he’d discovered the baby another layer of need was added. So here he was, his heart overflowing with family bonds and relationships and in one second that all could be wiped right back out of his life.
Right now, he had to figure out a way to reveal the truth in the least damning way because that tight fist he’d had gripping all he wanted was slowly coming apart and he could feel the control slipping from his grasp.
* * *
Lily didn’t remember laughing so hard in such a long time. Having an impromptu girls’ day was beyond fun and quite a departure from the cattiness of the women in LA. Lily really didn’t have good girlfriends back home and being here with Cassie, Tessa and Linda almost felt as good as being with her own mother.
“So what do you think for desserts?” Linda asked, crossing her leg over her knee and propping her notepad up on her thigh. “So far I only have the main course. What’s your favorite dessert, Lily?”
“She’s a fan of chocolate.”
Lily jerked her head toward the doorway where Nash stood looking all scrumptious in his black T-shirt pulling taut across his wide shoulders and those well-worn faded jeans hugging narrow hips. His gaze zeroed right in on hers.
“I believe chocolate milk is high on the list,” he added, his tone dripping in sex. “Ice cream will do in a pinch. Right, Lily?”
Lily suppressed a shudder. The man knew exactly how to turn her on in a room full of people without so much as stepping into her breathing space.
“Why don’t we do sundaes?” Linda asked, oblivious to the sexual tension.
Cassie laughed. “Emily will love that.”
“I’m always up for anything chocolate, too,” Tessa chimed in, pushing her hair back over her shoulder.
Lily smiled, excited to be pulled into the Barrington family like she belonged there. “Sounds like a great night. What can I bring?”
“Yourself.” Cassie leaned over and patted Lily’s leg. “Linda gets offended if we try to bring anything to a party she’s throwing. And we’ve learned she’s the best and anything we make won’t compete so we just let her have at it. Bring Nash and an appetite. That’s all.”
Lily glanced to Linda who was rigorously jotting down notes, her lips thinned, her eyes narrowed. This woman was all business when it came to meal planning. Lily knew from being on the set that Linda loved to feed a houseful of people and she was an amazing chef.
“Sounds good to me,” Lily said around a yawn. “Sorry, I’m so tired lately.”
“It’s the first trimester,” Cassie told her with a soft smile. “You’ll regain some energy soon.”
Nash came to stand in front of her and extended his hand. “Why don’t I get you home? It is getting late.”
Glancing out the window, Lily realized the sun had all but set. They’d been there most of the day and time had flown by.
She took his hand and came to her feet. “This was so fun. Thanks for having us over.”
“You’re welcome here anytime,” Tessa told her. “Feel free to come any time Nash is working. We can always use another female around here.”
“Good thing the guys aren’t nearby to hear that,” Linda said as she rested her pad and pen on the coffee table. “But, I agree. Come by anytime.”
After saying their goodbyes, Lily and Nash headed home.
Home. Had she really started thinking in terms of his house as her own? She’d spent the majority of the day being welcomed into his newfound family, she was having his baby and her feelings for him were growing stronger every single day.