"Sloane, please? This is something I want to do. It's not to show you how much money I have or show off or anything like that, it's just that this is what I want to do, for you." If he could buy her the entire solar system and hang it in her backyard, he would. There was nothing he didn't want to do for her.

"Gates, that's sweet, but you don't have to do anything like that. I mean, sending me the ticket to come to New York and taking me with you to London is overly generous." She reached out and placed her hand on his cheek and he reveled in the softness of her skin against his face.

"Let me do this, okay. Please?" He desperately wanted her to know how much he cared about her and how he wanted to take care of her. He'd never felt so deeply about anyone. It was a new feeling for him and he was completely enamored with Sloane.

"How can I say no to you when you're looking at me like that? Okay, but nothing too extravagant all right?"

"Hmm, can't promise that." He reached over to the side table, reaching into the drawer and pulled out a small box.

"Gates, what're you up to?"

"Well, I saw this and I immediately thought of you. Open it." Handing her the box, he sat back and waited.

"You were going to buy me things regardless of if I said yes or no?" She tilted her head to the side and raised an eyebrow.

"Pretty much," he winked. "Now open it."

"You're kind of demanding aren't you?" She giggled, turning the small black velvet box in her hands.

"Yes, now open it."

Laughing at his eagerness for her to open the box, Sloane grasped the sides and opened the box to reveal a beautiful sapphire and diamond pendant on a delicate silver chain.

"Gates, it's beautiful." It was an exquisite two-carat sapphire surrounded by diamonds.

"You like it?" He watched her eyes sparkle almost as much as the diamonds on the pendant as she continued to look at the jewels.

"Like it? I love it. It's gorgeous. But this is-"

"Nah, unh uh, you can't say it's too much because you promised, remember?" He quickly took the necklace out of the box to put it on her. She reached and pulled her hair up off of her neck as he leaned around her and closed the clasp of the necklace.

"It looks as beautiful as I thought it would."

"Thank you." When she leaned over to gently kiss him, he inhaled the scintillating smell of her perfume and his insides did somersaults.

"You're very welcome."

Shaking him from his nostalgia, the pilot's voice reverberated in his ear informing him they were preparing to land. Gates couldn't believe he'd done nothing but think of her the entire flight home. He was trying his best to put her out of his mind, but it wasn't possible.

"This is crazy, Gates. You've got to get a hold on this. She's engaged and she's in love with someone else." He watched the sun bounce off the clouds as they made their descent into New York. "You've got to let her go."

Chapter 9.

"Okay, so spill. Tell me everything and leave nothing out. We didn't get to talk in detail. You can only imagine what was going through my head when you told me Gates was getting out of the shower." Liyah curled her legs under her on the oversized sofa in pure antic.i.p.ation. She and Sloane were having a 'girl's afternoon' and were now sitting on Sloane's couch eating popcorn and barely watching the movie playing on the TV. Brayden was finally down for his afternoon nap and she and Liyah were taking advantage of the peace and quiet.

"I told you, nothing happened. We got stuck in Charleston and got drenched running to the car at the airport and that's it. He slept in the other room," Sloane added softly, thinking about the conversation she and Gates had. The one person I would have given it all up for is engaged to someone else. Shrugging her shoulders, she reached for more popcorn and glanced at the images flashing on the screen.

"Whatever chica. You may've been able to tell Chase that and have him believe it, but you're talking to me. I know your past and I know what you and Gates had, and from where I sit, it's not over."

"Liyah, really. Gates and I are over. We were over the day I left. He's made that abundantly clear." Sloane hoped she was convincing but she knew she could never fool her best friend.

c.o.c.king her head to the side, Liyah raised an eyebrow. "As much as I know you want to believe that, I know differently." Pausing, she looked at Sloane before continuing. "Yeah, I know the whole song and dance about you wanting to keep Brayden from being hurt, but you're still in love with Gates."

"I'm not listening to this." Sloane got up from the sofa and strolled into the kitchen. She was trying her best to deflect what Liyah was saying but somewhere deep down; her best friend had hit a nerve.

"Come on, Sloane." Liyah followed her into the kitchen. "You've got to face it. You've been running from Gates for a while and now that he's back in your life, you're still trying to run away. Why?"

"Oh, I don't know, maybe because he's not back in my life and I'm not running away, Liyah. I don't even know what you're talking about." Opening the refrigerator she pulled out a bottle of water.

"Sloane, you know full well what I'm talking about. You left Gates because you said he had changed, but I know you. I've known you practically your whole life and I know that, yeah, maybe he did change from what he was initially when you met, but you left because you were scared."

"Of what? That's crazy Liyah. I was not scared."

"Yes, you were. Same reason you're so determined to keep Brayden from Gates." Liyah finished, crossing her arm and challenging Sloane.

"You don't know anything." Rolling her eyes, Sloane moved past Liyah to head back to 'watch' the movie.

"Then if that's the case, why don't you tell him? If you aren't scared, then why don't you tell him he has a son? And don't give me that 'to keep Brayden protected' junk."

"It's not that easy, Liyah. Gates is a busy man. Too busy for a child in his life." She knew it was a weak excuse, but she was trying to justify her decision to keep her secret. She knew Gates had a right to know about his son, but she couldn't muster the nerve to tell him. She had so many fears that he was truly like Victor; cold and callous, and would look at Brayden as a burden rather than accept him as their precious son.

"Look, you're my best friend and I care about you. I want you to be happy, and if that's raising Brayden alone, then so be it. But you and I both know you have unresolved feelings that you need to deal with. Maybe you should step back and reevaluate your decision."

"Liyah, I know you care about me and Brayden. I know you want the best for us, just like I do for you, but I think I know what's best for my son. I know I can depend on myself to be there for Brayden, and I can keep him from being hurt by his father."

"You sure it's Brayden you're trying to keep from being hurt?"

"What?" Sloane turned around to look at Liyah.

"You heard me. I think you're the one that's afraid of being hurt or rejected." Liyah continued with her arms crossed, glaring at Sloane.

"Now you're starting to sound like Chase." Sloane could feel the tension building between the two of them. How could Liyah insinuate she was the one afraid of getting hurt by Gates? She was merely looking out for her little boy.

"Well if the high-heeled red bottom fits. You're afraid to be with Gates because if it doesn't work you know it would hurt too much."

"Now I really think you've lost it. Life is not about jumping off cliffs blindly, Liyah. And that's exactly what I'd be doing with Gates." Sloane rolled her eyes and sank down on the sofa, opening her water and taking a sip. "I want Brayden to have a family and a stable environment with a mom and dad who aren't at each other's throats, or upset with each other constantly."

"Sloane, do you truly want to live your life safe? Wondering what could've been? You're hiding behind the guise of 'protecting Brayden,' when you're really trying to protect yourself. You're afraid of the possibility that Gates would be accepting of Brayden, but maybe not you."

"Are you for real? Liyah, that's so basic. That's what we all want. To be accepted? To know there'll always be someone there for you and someone you can depend on. I can't do that with Gates."

"Sloane, no one's life is perfect. There are going to be good days and bad. You of all people should know that. When you find that person that's willing to go through all of that with you, it's not something you should throw away. Is this really what you want?" Liyah questioned, motioning around to their surroundings.

"That's enough, Liyah. I don't want to talk about this anymore. I've got to move on to the next chapter of my life." Sloane cut her eyes at Liyah. She was tired of hearing everyone else's opinions of what she needed to do. They didn't know. They couldn't understand what she was dealing with on the inside.

"Really? Then why is it that even when another guy approaches you, you won't have anything to do with him? I mean if you're really serious about moving on with your life, why don't you give other guys a chance?"

"Liyah. Please, just stop." Sloane groaned, wishing her friend would talk about something else. Anything else but the man she loved more than life.

"I'm simply saying don't push Gates too far out of the picture. I still believe he's a good man and I'm pretty sure he would be a great father if you'd give him a chance." Sloane could see Liyah was not going to give up on her endless tirade.

"Liyah, it's too late...okay?" Sloane found herself desperately trying to convince not only Liyah, but herself. "Drop it."

"Okay, okay. I'll stop, but I don't understand you. h.e.l.l, maybe you're right and there's more to life than jumping off cliffs blindly. But I would at least want to jump and know that I have someone like Gates beside me taking the same leap than to just sit on the sidelines watching everyone else," Liyah finished, grabbing her keys and stalking out the door.

"So how was Wilmington?" Gates heard Angelica's probing lilt and he looked up to see her watching him with an eyebrow raised. "Evan told me you took Sloane on a little trip." It was early Monday morning and of course Gates had gotten into the office earlier than most, except Angelica. They were almost identical when it came to work ethic. Most thought they would be a perfect couple, but they both knew that wasn't possible. They were way too alike to be compatible and both had a great respect for the other, but that was as far as it went. Gates knew there were two people in the world he could trust to run things if he wasn't there, Evan and Angelica. They were as tight as three peas in a pod and when one was hurt the others felt it. That was the reason Angelica was so interested to find out what transpired between him and Sloane.

"It went well, actually." He shifted through the files on his desk. "The Reyes Foundation is beginning their work on the hospital and I talked with Tom Stein about the D&S project and some possible locations we can work on with them." He knew Angelica didn't care about work. She was more interested in what happened with Sloane, but he was trying his best not to think about her, to no avail.

"Yes, I know. Evan talked to Ed Dawson and he and Tom are scheduled to be here next Thursday to work on some proposals and contracts, however, you know that's not what I'm talking about." She came around to stand in front of his desk.

"Gel, please, I don't want to get into it with you about Sloane okay? You've made it abundantly clear how you feel." Gates continued looking through the files and then opened his laptop to scan through emails.

"Have I? Really? Gates, I've known you for a long time and I think you should be careful. I remember what happened and how badly you were hurt the last time she left you."

"I remember that too. All too well; and you have nothing to worry about, okay?" He breathed deeply and looked up at his friend. He knew the inquisition had just begun, but he really didn't feel like going through it. "Sloane and I are over. We've been over for a long time. Yeah, okay, so maybe I had a slight loss of judgment and took her to Charleston because I missed how we were together. I wanted to feel the way I did before with her, but I can't. She has a little boy, she's in love with someone else and they're engaged."

"What? When did this happen?" Angelica inquired, continuing her inquisition. "Are you okay with this?"

"I have to be Gel. She's moved on."

"Wow. Well, isn't that convenient?" He watched her tapping her chin and he could practically see the wheels in her head turning.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"I'm only saying, it seems pretty quick that she's moved on and gotten engaged and has a kid. She moves fast. You guys haven't been apart that long."

"What're you getting at Gel?" He had to admit he'd thought about it himself. It had hurt when she left but, it hurt more knowing she'd moved on quickly; maybe she'd never really loved him, especially the way he loved her. "What's your point?"

"It's really hard to believe. I mean she seemed to truly care about you and to be in love with you. At least that's what she claimed. I never thought she'd move on that quick. But it's probably the best thing that could've happened. I mean, she doesn't deserve you."

"Gel." Angelica was one of his best friends and there were a lot of things he would allow her to get away with when it came to his life, but Sloane had been off limits and Angelica was pushing the envelope.

"Well, I'm sorry. You gave her the world and for her to walk out on you like that with no explanation but a sad little letter she leaves with Evan. And to show up at Victor's funeral, but not even say anything. Just seems pretty cowardly to me; and a little suspect." Angelica stood, arms folded and with her head tilted to the side. "I don't want to see you hurt again."

"I appreciate your concern, but I don't need you to keep rehashing the past. It's over. She's moved on and I need to get back to work. So, with that said, what's going on with the Newly deal." He needed to move on and get back to the tangible things he could control. With Angelica dredging up the past and asking questions about Sloane, it was getting harder for him to concentrate.

"Gates?"

"Gel, please." His stony expression signaled the end of their conversation and he could see she knew better than to continue. "What's going on with Newly?"

After Liyah left, Sloane could hear her best friend's words reverberating through her head. Gates is a good man, and would make a great father if given the chance. No matter how badly she wanted to put the thoughts of Gates McCall out of her mind, she couldn't, and she knew Liyah was right. Gates was a good guy. Deep down, he had a tremendous heart and he was generous to a fault. At least he had been to her at one time. It was hard for her not to reminisce about the time they spent together and how he'd given her so many things she could have only dreamed of. She sat on the floor at the foot of her bed with Brayden and pulled out a box from underneath it. Getting help from her little boy, she took the top off of the box, which seemed to keep Brayden enthralled as he turned it and tried putting it in his mouth. She smiled as her fingers ran over the pictures of her with Gates. There was one of the two of them laughing in the park, and another of her with him and her aunt. She continued to flip through each of the pictures and then she paused as she saw one on the bottom. It was of the two of them posing with one of the guards at Buckingham Palace. She could see so much of Gates in Brayden and she sighed at the thought of the little boy never knowing his father.

The pictures brought with them a flood of memories, but the one memory that stood out the most was the trip to London. She'd been on a few 'business' trips with him previous to the one to London. He would send her a plane ticket and she would arrive to find herself staying in a very nice, very exclusive hotel room adjacent to his and it was always the same. He would attend meetings during the day but the evenings were always reserved for her. He never failed making sure he planned for at least one or two day-trips for them to see the scenery or some memorable touristy stop. What impressed her most about him was the fact he never expected anything from her. She was a little shocked by it to say the least. How many wealthy men would send a girl a plane ticket, put them up in an expensive hotel for days and not expect to share their bed at night? Gates never did. He always made sure she was comfortable and at the end of the night, he would do the most gentlemanly thing. He would walk her to her door, give her a chaste kiss, always leaving her wanting more, and retire to his own room.

"Are you serious?" She was standing in the middle of the apartment she and Liyah were sharing at the time. She could see her overly eager and equally nosy roommate staring at her as she continued her phone conversation with Gates.

"Yes, I'm serious. Any minute now there will be a knock at the door." As soon as he said it, she heard a knock on the front door. "It's a messenger. It's okay, Sloane. You can open the door." She could hear his amused laugh through the receiver when she paused in silence.

"Gates, what's going on?" Sloane walked over and opened the door. Balancing the phone between her shoulder and chin, she signed for the envelope the messenger held in his hands.

"What's going on is I'm asking you to go with me to London...tomorrow."

"Tomorrow, London, what?" Opening the envelope and taking out the ticket to New York, she scanned it and noticed the flight was supposed to leave in less than six hours. Liyah had perched her chin right above Sloane's shoulder to get a bird's eye view of the ticket and was trying her best to hear their conversation. She eventually plucked the paper out of Sloane's hand to inspect it more closely. 'I can't believe this.' Sloane mouthed the words to Liyah as she slowly sank down on the arm of the sofa.

"Look, I know it's short notice and I don't expect you to be able to pack for two weeks in London so quickly. You don't have to worry about that because it's already being taken care of. What I do need you to do is to pack an overnight bag and get on that flight to New York. Can you do that for me? If you can do that, I'll handle the rest." His nonchalant tone didn't quite equal the excitement he'd incited in her.

"Gates, I don't know. Two weeks in London? I don't know what to say." Sloane watched as Liyah glared at her with daggers in her eyes.

"You better say yes! What's wrong with you?" Whispering loudly, Liyah smacked Sloane on the arm before heading to Sloane's bedroom.

"See, even Liyah agrees with me." Sloane listened to Gates laugh at Liyah's half-hearted attempt to keep him from hearing her.

"Liyah, stop." She shook her head as she listened to her friend opening and closing Sloane's dresser drawers and closet to start packing her bag. "I guess she agrees with you in more ways than one. She's packing my bag."

"Good. Remind me to make sure I buy her something special." She was still having a hard time putting everything together when he let her know he was going to be late for a meeting. "Hey, Evan's here to put my head in a sling if I don't hurry up, so I'll expect you at my place tonight. I'll see you later."

"Gates-" She heard nothing but silence on the other end of the phone and contemplated calling him back. Could she really take off for two weeks to London?

"You better get a move on if we're going to get you to the airport in time for your flight." Sloane walked to the bedroom door to see Liyah continuously stuffing Sloane's clothes in her overnight bag. "Oh, I can't believe how lucky you are. Why couldn't I have met him first? Oh, wait, I did meet him first and I ended up introducing him to you. Ay mi!"

"I am so...I can't believe I'm going to London tomorrow." Sloane squealed like a little girl, running over and falling back on the lavender and cream comforter on her bed. She couldn't believe how lucky she was to have met someone like Gates. He was so generous, and it didn't hurt he was unbelievably handsome, but that wasn't even what captivated her the most. They had so much fun together and they could talk for hours about anything; and nothing at all. He was an amazing man and she was so thankful he wanted to spend as much time with her as she wanted to spend with him. "Liyah, I'm going to London tomorrow, eek!"

"Um hmm, you won't be going anywhere if you don't get up and get yourself together missy. Chop, chop. You've got an hour to get ready and get packed." Sloane hopped up quickly after Liyah mentioned how little time she really had to get to the airport. She was so excited she almost ran out of the house without her ticket and pa.s.sport. Luckily, Liyah, who was equally excited for her, made sure she had everything before she boarded the plane to New York. It was crazy. She was headed to the Big Apple with no idea where she was going. All she knew was Gates told her to get on the plane, but what was she supposed to do once the plane landed. Of course, she should have never worried. She was met in baggage claim by his driver, who knew exactly who she was, and led her to an awaiting car taking her directly to Gates' building.

Once she arrived, she instantly felt stupid for doubting Gates. He had everything planned to a tee. The driver from the airport, the doorman who ushered her to the penthouse, even down to the sapphire and diamond necklace Gates presented to her once she was settled. She could get used to being pampered like this. He was unbelievable. He'd given her a tour of the penthouse he called home and she was amazed at how much s.p.a.ce he had for just one person living there. It was much larger than the two-bedroom apartment she and Liyah shared. He could have guests over and never know they were there. They would have stayed up half the night talking, but since they had an eight-hour flight in the morning, Gates had shown her to 'her' room and excused himself for the night. She sank into the opulent bed outfitted in stark whites and creams and smiled at the thought of two glorious weeks in London with him and wondered if life could get any better.

Sloane continued to watch Brayden fumbling with the top of the box as she reminisced about that trip being a defining point in their relationship. Up until then, they were content with being friends, spending time together and sharing a few kisses here and there. However, things changed between them when, not more than a few days into their two-week stay, they finally consummated the relationship. It was like a fairy tale. When they arrived in London, Sloane realized they weren't staying in a hotel, but a flat.

"So, this is your place?" She stood looking around the beautifully decorated apartment. It was s.p.a.cious and reminded her of his penthouse in New York. The architecture was intricate and so impressive that she could only stare in amazement. It was impressive like his penthouse, but the color palate was a little different. The living room walls were painted a navy blue accented by stark white ceilings and four inch white crown molding. There were black and white pictures of what had to be his sister and her family in black frames intricately placed on the walls. She noticed a few of him with his nieces and nephew as well. Everything was in its perfect place.

"Yes. I hate hotels. I usually stay in them if it's a short trip, but for places I know I'll be in longer than a week or so, I either rent a house or I own a place like this."

"Wow."

"This place gets a lot more use than the others. My sister Bailey and her husband Sam use it when they want to get away and come into the city." The place was every bit as luxurious as his penthouse in New York and he'd made her feel right at home. Of course, the first few days, she was left alone during the day since he had meetings, but she'd found plenty of things to do. If she weren't taking a walk in the park, she would have the driver Gates hired take her sightseeing; or wander around Piccadilly Circus. She didn't do too much because she did want to see a lot of things with Gates and she'd been given the task to pick out the things they had to see before they left.