"I picked it up for you. The day you left. I knew that day when I left to meet Victor that I hurt you. I seemed to always do that to you and I wanted to show you how sorry I was and how committed I was. I hated what I did to our relationship. At the time, I thought I was doing what was best."

"You kept this since that day?" She clutched the box turning it over in her hands and seeing him nod.

"Yeah, I guess in some way, I thought maybe you'd come back. But you didn't...and then, well, it started to serve as a reminder that I'd messed up the best thing that had ever happened to me." Sloane's mouth went drier than a dust storm in the desert as she listened. The best thing that had ever happened to him.

"Gates-"

"Just open it."

Turning the box over in her hands, she opened the top and gasped at the bracelet and charm lying against white satin. Taking it out of the box, she realized the charm was a tiny silver baby rattle. Looking up at him with puzzled eyes, Sloane waited for Gates' explanation. "A baby rattle?"

"Yes. The last night we were together we took a walk after dinner. You remember? You were in one of those moods where you 'wanted to feel the wind on your face and know you were alive'." He grinned at her and she felt the muscles tugging at the corners of her mouth as she thought back to that night and their walk.

"I can't believe you remember that." She continued to look at the charm bracelet in her hand and admired how beautiful it was as she listened to him.

"I loved how happy you were when you stopped and looked in that jewelry store window. I didn't know what you were stopping for at first, but then I saw you were staring at a platinum baby rattle. And all I could think at that moment was how I wanted a family...with you."

Sloane looked into Gates' eyes. Her heart beat once, then twice, and for a moment she swore it stopped. For the first time in her life she finally knew what time standing still truly felt like. "What?" It was like everything she'd ever thought about him was wrong. She believed he didn't want children. That he was only committed to his work. Stunned, she felt like her feet were anch.o.r.ed in the sidewalk and she had no clue how to react.

"Look, I told you I have no illusions about us. I know you're in love with someone else now and you two have a son together. I messed up with you. I put everything before you and if I truly loved you the way you deserved, h.e.l.l, we'd be married and I'd be your son's father." He paused and Sloane felt instant pain behind her eyes. She blinked quickly to keep the tears that were promising to fall at bay. "I wanted to let you know I'm happy for you. I wanted to be the one to add charms to that bracelet for you," he said wistfully and motioned to the bauble she held in her hands. "But now, you've found someone else who can do that. You found someone who puts you first and someone you could have a family with. You deserve it." He gently leaned over and kissed her forehead. She looked at him with wide eyes and before she could respond, he stroked her chin with his forefinger, tapped her gently on the tip of her nose and strode back to the awaiting car.

"Gates?" She watched him stop and turn back towards her. Don't do it Sloane. She knew it was dangerous to even entertain the idea of getting close to him again. She was so close to being able to get what she wanted and to live her life with her son and never have to tell his father the truth, but was that really what she wanted? At this point, her head was swimming and the possibility of being close to Gates again was pulling her under. "I'd like to keep in touch...I mean if you really want." You fool. What are you doing?

"Great. I'd like that. I'll talk to you soon." She watched him light up as he disappeared into the car.

Watching it pull away, she sighed before looking at the keepsake in her hand again. "Great."

"So, how'd it go?" Liyah had barely given Sloane time to get settled in for the day before she'd walked in her office and plopped down in the chair in front of her.

"Good, but you won't believe who was at the awards banquet." She reached over and logged into her computer then sat back in her chair.

"Who?"

"Gates. I mean, I should have guessed he would be since he's the developer for the project, but-"

"Whaaaaat?" Liyah sat forward looking at Sloane with a sly grin.

"Yeah. And before you get all giddy, he was with Allie Gentry." It still made her sick to her stomach to think of Allie wound around Gates like the string on a yo-yo. Even though he'd told her Allie meant nothing to him, it didn't set well with her.

"You're kidding me? When did they start dating? Are you okay?" Sloane watched the grin plastered on Liyah's face slowly fade.

"I'm fine. Really. Gates told me at lunch later that Allie was just a friend. No big deal."

"Whoa, wait a minute; put the horse before the cart. What're you talking about, Gates told you at lunch? You're leaving a lot out here missy." Liyah crossed her arms and sat back in the chair.

"Liyah, I am in way over my head." Sloane started to fill Liyah in about the terrace and the conversation between her and Allie. And how Gates had played right into the confrontation and confirmed their lunch 'date' in front of Allie, making her madder than a rodeo bull.

"Oh wow, to be a fly on the wall. That had to be priceless. I wish I could've seen that hussy's face," Liyah laughed as Sloane continued with the remaining parts of the lunch date, the charm bracelet and how he'd asked her to keep in touch.

"So? You left it at that? Sloane, what's wrong with you?"

"What else was I supposed to say Liyah?" She watched Liyah stand up and start to pace back and forth in front of her desk.

"Are you kidding me? Sloane, he practically said he still loves you and wants to be with you and you don't jump into his arms? Are you crazy? You could've told him that Brayden was his and he would've probably asked you to marry him on the spot."

"I panicked. I wasn't expecting him to say he wanted a family with me. Or that Allie was just a friend. All of this, everything I ever thought about Gates is wrong." Sloane shook her head. It wasn't like she hadn't kicked herself enough while replaying their last conversation, but she had to be realistic about the situation. She'd still kept a secret from Gates. A pretty big one and it wasn't something she could go into lightly.

"You had the perfect opportunity to tell Gates about Brayden and you blew it."

"Liyah, I froze. I was in shock. What was I supposed to do? I've been kicking myself over this since then, but I don't know, maybe it's for the best. Right after lunch, he got a call he had to take. Business is always going to be first with him."

"Sloane cut the guy some slack would you? He's the CEO of a multi-million dollar company for crying out loud. He can't just play hooky every day. He has to do what he has to do to run his company. What do you want him to do, never answer his phone?" Liyah stopped her pacing to stare at Sloane.

"No Liyah. I know he has to work. It's just, I know what it's like to look forward to spending time with him only to be cancelled on because something more important comes up. I don't want that to happen to Brayden."

"Well, you better work up the nerve to tell him, and soon. If he wants to keep in touch with you now, it's only a matter of time before the truth about you and Chase, and also the truth about Brayden, comes out. Then you're going to be in a pickle."

"I know." Looking at the angelic face of her little boy in the photo on her desk, Sloane exhaled softly, knowing she was sinking deeper and deeper into the hole she'd dug.

"Why in the h.e.l.l are you in such a good mood lately?" Evan and Gates had finished up a lunch meeting and were on their way back to the office.

"What're you talking about?" He knew exactly what Evan was referring to. It had been a little over a week since Sloane visited New York and Gates had talked to her practically every other day since then. They laughed and chatted with one another and it honestly felt like they'd never been apart.

"You've been in a mood since Sloane was here a few weeks ago." Evan paused, watching Gates' smile grow bigger and he raised an eyebrow at his best friend. "If I didn't know any better, I'd swear you were scamming on Chase's woman."

"Whatever." Gates chuckled, entering his office, followed by Evan. "If I recall, she was 'my woman' first, but that's not what's going on."

"I'm calling it like I see it. You two are keeping in touch aren't you?"

"Look, Sloane and I are friends, nothing more. I respect the fact she's marrying Chase. I haven't done anything out of the way to give her any impression that I'm trying to get her back. I'm merely keeping in touch." Gates wished he believed the lines he was feeding Evan, but he had to do something to remind himself Sloane did belong to someone else now.

"You can try and snow me if you want to, but I know you, Gates. And even though that's not in your nature to go after someone else's significant other, that's exactly what you're doing," Evan laughed, walking towards the door. Stopping before he could exit entirely, he leaned back in and added, "I can't blame you though. She's still as beautiful as ever." Evan winked before he shut the door.

Blowing out a deep breath, Gates sank back into his chair and swiveled to look out of the window. "She's definitely that."

"That picture of you and Brayden is priceless. Did you send one to Avery?" Liyah asked, watching Sloane feed the little monster. He was the cutest thing with big auburn curls on his head and plump cheeks and he was so independent that he was trying his best to grab the spoon each time she put it near his mouth.

"Yeah, I got the reporter to send me a copy so I forwarded it to her and she absolutely loved it." Sloane giggled, wiping Brayden's hands for the hundredth time. "You need to stop or we're going to end up with food all over you rather than in you."

"So, have you talked to Gates?" Liyah reached over and tickled the little boy under his chin and he burst into a fit of giggles.

"I talked to him yesterday. It's strange, but it almost feels like it used to with him. We're able to talk about all kinds of things and I almost forgot what a great sense of humor he has."

"Uh oh, you got it bad."

"What?" Sloane popped out of her dream-like state. "I do not. We're friends and that's how it's going to stay."

"You can't keep this charade up Sloane. You have to tell him." Liyah stood and took the baby out of his high chair to play with him while Sloane cleaned up his mess.

"I know and I will. It just has to be the right time."

Chapter 11.

Waking up early, Gates went on his usual five-mile run and headed up to his penthouse, took a shower, got dressed and headed to the office. He'd talked to Sloane the previous evening and they got caught up talking into the wee hours of the morning. He still hadn't quite figured out the relationship she had with Chase. It seemed like he was never around and Gates knew if he and Sloane were still together, there was no way he'd be okay with her staying up and talking to some other guy on the phone, especially if it was her ex-fiance. And why didn't she wear a ring? Trying his best to push her out of his mind and focus on the day's tasks, he pushed open the heavy gla.s.s door of the reception area to McCall International and stopped to chat with the receptionist, Linda.

"Good morning, Mr. McCall."

"Good morning, Lin." She handed him a few files and things needing his approval and signature. "Wow, look at that smile. You're in a good mood this morning."

"Oh, I'm a really proud grandmother, that's all." Gates knew if the woman grinned any harder her face would break. He casually flipped through the stack of papers she handed to him, making mental notes of the most important things he needed to get done that day.

"Uh oh, sounds like the grandkids are doing big things. Which one broke a record this time?" It never failed that Linda always had something to be proud of her grandkids for. They ranged in age from four to sixteen and it seemed all of them were really well rounded kids. Two were in karate already pursuing black belts at eleven and twelve, and the sixteen year old was a football star at his high school.

"It's actually nothing of the sort. Allen, the youngest, is highly photogenic. He lives in North Carolina, actually in Wilmington where the Reyes Foundation is building that hospital. He and a few of his friends were playing in the front yard, in the sprinklers, and a photographer took his picture." She proudly held the newspaper up for him to see.

"Sounds like fun." Gates reached for the newspaper she handed him. "That has to be a perfect way for a four-year old to spend his time. Nothing seems better than running through sprinklers on a hot summer day."

"He's adorable and the picture was too sweet for words. My son sent it to me."

Gates opened the newspaper to the photos. The headline read 'Summertime Fun', and beneath it were pictures of various people enjoying the summer. There were little kids with ice cream melting down their arms, a few playing softball, and a picture of a championship little league baseball team, with a trophy that dwarfed most of the children in the picture. Linda's grandson's picture was in the middle of the collage. In the caption was his name and age, and the ages and names of the other kids playing in the sprinklers. As Gates was about to fold the paper and give it back to Linda another one of the pictures caught his eye. There on the right side of the photo of Linda's grandson, was a picture of a little boy smiling and sitting in a stroller as his mom pushed him. The caption read, "Nine month old Brayden Davis enjoys the ride as his mother, Sloane, pushes him through Riverfront Park." Suddenly, Gates felt his chest constrict and he nearly lost the ability to breathe.

As quickly as he'd walked in that morning his entire demeanor changed and he searched for the newspaper dateline to ascertain that it was a recent edition of the Star-News from Wilmington, North Carolina before handing it back to Linda.

"The summer is full of fun things and I think every kid in Wilmington is having a ball," Linda continued, looking at the pictures and waiting for Gates to respond. Slowly, she looked up to see a sullen expression on his face. "Gates?" He was no longer smiling and his eyes had grown intense.

"Linda, I have something I need to take care of. Have Angelica handle these, and my ten o'clock. I won't be back today." He handed her the files she'd given him and turned to walk towards the gla.s.s doors.

"Uh, okay. Is everything all right?" She watched him as she folded the paper and put it on her desk and stacked the files for Angelica to pick up on her way into the office.

"No, but it will be."

Gates pushed the heavy door open and headed for the elevator. He tried desperately to calm himself down because right now he was so angry he could barely see straight. Once the elevator reached the garage floor, he marched to his car and got in the driver's seat. Shutting the car door, he sat for a brief moment, stewing in silence. She'd lied to him. It was clear from the photo Brayden was a lot older than she'd led him to believe and if that was the case, then it only meant one thing. She'd been cheating on him while they were together and that's the reason she left. Angelica said it was pretty quick for her to move on and he'd agreed, but pushed it out of his mind. Now it all made sense. All this time, he thought she left because of the rumors he was cheating on her and that he was putting his business before her. Never in his wildest dreams had he thought she would betray him. That's why she left him and why she couldn't face him at his father's funeral. She'd put all the blame on him and it was just to keep her secret. She'd gotten pregnant while she was with him and it was Chase's kid. No wonder they had such a relaxed relationship. It made perfect sense. How could I have been so blind? Somehow she'd met Chase while they were in New York and she'd gotten pregnant. Scrubbing his face with his hands, Gates started the car and headed straight for the airport.

"Linda, good morning." Evan breezed past the reception desk headed towards Gates' office.

"Good morning, Evan. Oh, he's not in there."

"Is he running late or something? He didn't tell me he wasn't coming in this morning." Evan did an about face and headed back to Linda's desk.

"He was here earlier. He came in all happy and smiling and we talked, and he looked at the picture of my grandson in the paper and then the oddest thing happened."

"What do you mean the 'oddest thing happened'?" Evan rested his arms on the counter and waited for Linda to continue.

"Well, we were talking about my grandson's picture in the newspaper that my son sent from Wilmington. That quickly, his demeanor changed and he had me have Angelica handle his meetings this morning."

"Lin, can I see the paper you're talking about?"

"I have no idea what spooked him, but it was like he'd seen a ghost or something. It was so strange how he went from happy to; I don't know what, in a matter of seconds." Linda handed Evan the folded paper as he requested. "I asked him if everything was okay. He said no, but it would be."

Scanning the photos quickly, Evan found the picture of Linda's grandson and then noticed the photo beside it. There, staring back at him was a picture of Sloane pushing a little boy through the park, and according to the newspaper; he was nine months old. Oh c.r.a.p.

"Uh, Linda, did Gates say where he was going?" Evan folded the newspaper and handed it back to Linda.

"Well, no. He left about an hour ago. All he said was he had something to take care of. Evan, is everything okay?"

"Oh yeah, Linda, it's nothing to worry about. I'll see you later okay?" Rushing down the hallway to his office, Evan pulled his phone from his pocket. Gates had a head start on him. Evan dialed and swore when he heard the voicemail pick up. "Come on Gates, answer." Quickly hanging up without leaving a message, Evan dialed another number and swore again when he reached yet another voicemail.

"Dammit, Liyah, if you don't know where Sloane is, I suggest you find her, especially before Gates does."

"I need to speak with Aliyah Cross please." Standing in front of the receptionist at the Reyes Foundation, Gates grit his teeth. He was trying his best to keep his cool, but it was getting harder with each pa.s.sing minute.

"Mr. McCall, she's in a meeting right now, but she should be out soon. Could I take a message for her or; if you'd like to wait-"

"Actually, I can leave her a note in her office. Would that be okay?"

"Oh, sure. It's down the hallway; take a right, second door on the left."

"Thanks." Gates moved swiftly down the hallway to Liyah's office. He'd called on his way to North Carolina only to find out from the receptionist that Sloane was out for the day. He'd tried her cell phone but it kept going straight to voicemail so he was going to try the next best thing. Liyah.

Walking into her office, Gates looked around for anything that may give him some clue as to how to locate Sloane. Just then he heard a buzz come from her desk. Looking over, he noticed Liyah's phone lighting up. He knew it wasn't right, but he had to talk to Sloane and confront her. Picking up the phone, Gates scrolled through the contact list and found Sloane's address. He scribbled the address on a post it note and gently placed the phone on the desk and walked out.

"Did you call Liyah?" Sloane looked across the patio table at Chase. She had asked him and Hannah to come over; extending the olive branch for the trouble and pain she'd caused them. Her lie had put a certain strain on their relationship and she was truly sorry for any trouble she'd brought to the two.

"Yes. Obviously she's tired of me calling and texting her because she's not answering anymore." Chase sat back in the chair.

"She had a meeting today so maybe that's where she is. I'm glad you guys could come over. Hannah, again, I'm so sorry. I never should have pulled Chase into this at all." Sloane apologized yet again to Hannah for the trouble she'd caused them both. She knew Hannah was a great person from the times they had all hung out together. And she knew Chase really cared for her because he'd talked to Sloane on many occasions about her.

"It's fine, Sloane. I understand. Chase explained a lot of it." Hannah sat near Chase and Sloane could tell she really cared for him. It was nice to see their relationship seemed to be stronger than ever. "I did want to ask and you can tell me it's none of my business if you want to, but why don't you just tell Gates the truth? He has to understand why you did what you did."