A Family For The Billionaire ✅

7.

Aston shifted uncomfortably as he watched Aubrey blink before looking at her sisters. He remembered the many brave faces he'd put on with no one there to take notice except his mother. Turning away for the reminder, he took a seat across from Aubrey's sisters in the waiting room. Aubrey settled into a chair and began the paperwork. Her sisters on the other hand, studied him with varying degrees of interest.

"Is there a problem ladies?" He finally asked

"Why didn't Aubrey take a cab?" Wynter asked

"It would have taken to long"

"One of us could have picked her up" Wynter said. This felt a little like a what-are-your-intentions-interrogation, not that he had any experience with those. Or with anything in this situation, really. Long-follow instincts had kicked in when he'd seen Aubrey in need, overriding his usual laser focus on business.

"That would have taken even longer," he said, attempting to soften his clipped tone since they were just trying to look out for their sister, "Besides, my mother wouldn't have appreciated me leaving a lady high and dry."

The two women shared a look, one that should have made him suspicious, but like all good businessmen, Aston held his tongue. He knew better than to give them extra ammunition, especially when he wasn't sure what the bullet was actually made of in this instance.

Suddenly, both women looked down, and following their gaze, Aston took in how Luca was snuggled up against Summer, eyelids drooped. He could see the softening effect the little boy had on summer and Wynter, and even felt an echo deep inside himself. He hadn't dealt with so many emotions since his mother died.

Was it being in this place? The same hospital where they'd spent her last days? Or was it these women? Seeing their interactions, how they cared for each other, he found it fascinating. A little scary, too. Being the focus of their attention wasn't uncomfortable at all. Like his mother, they seemed to be able to see past the front he presented to the world to the actual man beneath. He could almost feel the crack in his protective walls. He want very comfortable with that. Yet he couldn't bring himself to leave.

He reached out one hand to rub it gently against Luca's chubby, flushed cheek, "He feels a little feverish."

"He's been teething," Summer explained, "Which means he's often fussy and not sleeping well, poor thing."

"Poor Mama," Wynter added, giving the little boy a loving look, "I don't think Aubrey's had a full night's sleep in days."

Which explained why Luca was too tired today. But Aston knew absolutely nothing about babies and teething, so he switched subjects. Anything to distract himself from the memories whirling through his mind.

"So, what do you ladies do for a living?" He asked even though Aubrey had already told him the answer.

Wynter jumped in early, "I teach history at the community college."

Aston nodded asking, "Any specialties?"

"American and local history. When you're descended from a pirate family, you can't help but immerse yourself in Savannah's colorful past."

"I'd imagine," somehow he wasn't surprised to find Aubrey had some pirate blood in her. She certainly drove a hard bargain to get exactly what she wanted.

Summer filled the pause," I'm the executive assistant to Patrick DeMarco."

That was interesting, "Intense guy to work for, isn't he?"

"At times, but I love it. Challenging but enjoyable." Obviously they were a family of very smart women who were very good at standing on their own two feet, making their way in the world after losing their parents. He could relate. Impressive.