Smiling, I grabbed my keys and made sure to leave the note on the counter where she would see it. “Yeah, but I missed her the most.”

Blaire chuckled. “I won’t argue with that.”

“Thanks again, Blaire. I left her a note to call you when she gets up. But she may not call. I never know with her. She worries about bothering people.”

“I’ll just show up in an hour or so. Go to work, Grant. I got this.”

“Yes, ma’am.” I hung up and stuck my phone into my pocket. Glancing back at the bedroom door, I saw it open slowly. Harlow walked out, dressed in one of my T-shirts, which I had put on her last night. Her hair was all over the place, and her face had pillow creases on it. I had never seen anything more beautiful.

“You leaving?” she asked in a sleepy voice.

I walked back to her. “I didn’t want to wake you. I’ve got an issue at one of the job sites,” I explained as I slid my arms around her waist.

“OK. I heard you talking,” she said, blinking slowly while her eyes adjusted to the sunlight pouring into the room.

“I called Blaire. She’s coming to keep you company today. She missed you.”

A smile lit up her face. “Oh, good. I wanted to see her.”

Leaving sucked, but this made it a little easier. I was giving her space to be alone and have girl time. Harlow had very little of that in her life, and I wanted her to have good friendships. The girl I’d first met didn’t have anyone. She lived for her books and stayed in her room. I wanted more for Harlow than that.

“I’ll be back as soon as I can. You enjoy your time with Blaire, but call me if you need anything.” I kissed her lips. Nothing was ever as good as kissing Harlow.

She wrapped her arms around my neck and melted into me. This didn’t make leaving easier. I was about ready to say screw the job site when she stepped back and pressed a hand to her now-swollen lips. “OK, go. We can do that when you get back.”

“You be ready for me, because I have plans for you when I get home,” I told her, then blew her a kiss before finally leaving. I was going to be a little late, but they could wait. I’d get there when I got there.

To my precious baby,

The day I first saw him, my knees went a little weak, and my stomach fluttered. Like that feeling of butterflies taking off. That was how I felt when I laid eyes on your dad for the first time. He was beautiful. I had never considered a man beautiful before, but Grant Carter was beautiful.

I never imagined he would notice me. I was quiet and introverted. I didn’t make friends easily, and I didn’t trust others. Those are things I never want you to experience or feel. I’ve overcome them because I’ve found your father.

That night, he cornered me and sent my tiny infatuation into a full-blown crush with only a few words. But I was terrified. Completely scared out of my wits. I wasn’t used to dealing with men when they flirted with me. I didn’t know then that he would change my life.

I also didn’t know that life was full of color and excitement. I had hidden away and remained alone for so long. I was missing out on so much. But your dad taught me to live. He taught me about love, and he gave me the greatest gift anyone could ever give me: you.

When you are old enough to read this letter, I hope I’m sitting there beside you. I hope I’m the one who gets to read it to you. But if I’m not there physically, know that I am there with you in spirit. Always. I will never leave your side. And I will love you forever.

You were created from a love so strong, a love that should be grown and shared.

And now we have you to share it with.

Love you always,

Mommy

Harlow

I didn’t have friends until Blaire. She was engaged to Rush Finlay when I met her, and I immediately liked her, because there was a kindness in her eyes. Also, if someone could make Rush fall in love with her, she had to be special. He used to be one of the most cynical people I knew . . . until he met Blaire. And now they had their son, Nate. Rush was a totally different person now.

Having Blaire to talk to was wonderful, but walking into Kerrington Country Club wasn’t something I wanted to do just yet. Blaire had casually mentioned that my evil half sister was in Paris right now, but I was still on edge. I didn’t want to see Nan. Ever again, if possible.

Grant had been with Nan once. Forgetting that was easier now. He loved me; I knew that, and I was secure in that. But still, Nan was the kind of beautiful that I couldn’t compete with. I had hidden from the Nans of the world until my dad had sent me to live with her while he went on tour.

“You look like you want to throw up. Are you OK?” Blaire asked as I walked beside her toward the entrance to the restaurant at the club where we’d be having breakfast this morning.

“I’m fine,” I assured her.

The door opened, and we were greeted by a guy dressed in the typical uniform of slacks and a polo with the Kerrington Club monogram on it.

“Good morning, Mrs. Finlay, Miss Manning,” the guy said with a polite smile.

“Morning, Clint. Is Jimmy working the morning shift?” Blaire asked.

The guy’s grin got bigger, almost as if hearing Jimmy’s name made him happy. “Yes, he is.”

Blaire chuckled softly and thanked him, then we walked to the hostess.

“Two, Mrs. Finlay?” the girl asked, her eyes quickly darting away from me as if she was trying not to stare but wanted to be sure she was seeing me. I hated this sudden fame that came with my dad.