“So… Kaylee, want to take the elevator of relaxation?” he continued holding my hand but gestured towards the solo elevator.
“I’m sure someone important uses that elevator,” I whispered. Gerald smiled and led me over to it.
“You’re that important person today, Kaylee.”
Swoon. Swoon. Swoon. Damn. Could this man be any sexier?
“Mr. Mason,” the two men at the elevator said, straightening their backs.
“This is Miss Kaylee. See to it that she gets to her destination safely.” The tone in Gerald’s voice was very authoritative. Very alpha.
“I’m a big girl. I think I can safely get to my floor,” I laughed in an attempt to lighten up Gerald’s sudden alpha-mode. Gerald looked down at me and smiled.
“Sorry. I just don’t want anything else bothering your day,” he smiled.
“You’re too kind, Gerald. Thank you.” I meant every word I said. It had been a long time since anyone paid me this kind of attention. I believe my romance novels called it chivalry and apparently it wasn’t dead after all.
“Will you let me take you out after your appointment?”
Appointment.Just the thought of the appointment made me queasy. I stared up at the numbers above the elevator’s door.
There was no way in hell I could go through with this.
I shook my head, and turned to leave; however, I forgot that Gerald was still holding my hand. When I only went a few steps, I lowered my head in defeat. Gerald walked over to me and leaned down to my ear.
“This isn’t an appointment you want to be at, is it?” His voice was low. And his warm breath against my ear and neck gave me goosebumps.
“No,” I replied, shaking my head.
“Then let’s get you out of here.”
“I can’t just leave. Can I?” I asked, looking up at him hopeful.
I had never been one to run out on a prior engagement. Whether it was an appointment, invite to an event or otherwise, I always showed up. I hated it when a person went back on their word.
“Unless you sold your soul to the devil himself, you can back out of any appointment you wish… unless it’s with the courts or my mother,” he winked, making me giggle.
“Your mother a stickler for promptness?”
“To say the least,” he groaned. I couldn’t help but laugh. It seemed him and I had more in common than I thought. “Laughing at my expense, Kaylee with no last name?” he teased.
“Not laughing at your expense. Just understanding your pain,” I smiled. “Trust me. I absolutely feel your pain. My mother is the same way. She’s probably worse.”
“Doubtful. My mother makes the queen look like a wild child,” he rolled his eyes.
“Oh. Perhaps you win then.” I turned my head away from him so that he couldn’t see me holding back my laugh.
“Why are you hiding your beautiful smile and laugh from me, Kaylee?”
Even if I had wanted to, there was no way I could deny Gerald what he wanted. I turned and looked up at him.
“Much better,” he smiled. “You ready to play hooky from your appointment?”
I looked over my shoulder at the single elevator. The internal debate within me began. If I took the elevator all of my financial problems would be solved. I’d be able to go to school-- debt-free-- and start a new life. However, that decision came at a high cost. A cost that didn’t sit right with me. It wasn’t that I looked down on women who went through with it. I just knew I’d have an attachment. After all, I’d carry the baby for nine months. I’d watch my belly grow from flat to round, and feel the baby move inside me. How could I not form a bond?
In the end, the debate came down to how numb could I go being a surrogate? Could Ireallyturn off my emotions and not get attached to the baby growing inside of me? Just the thought of carrying the baby and then handing it over like a package made me feel nauseous.
“Kaylee?” Gerald asked. I looked up at him and he had worry written all over his face. “You okay?”
