THE BILLIONAIRE'S DANCE(Billionaire Bachelors #2)(8)

“Joseph, so good to see you,” John said as he grasped his friends hand.

“Great to see you too. Tell me how things have been.”

“Everything is great. I have a new grandson who’s the light of my world. Here, I brought some pictures. Look how handsome he is,” the proud grandfather said as he handed over several photos.

“Congratulations, he’s a mighty fine looking boy. Did Jessica get married?” Joseph asked, knowing he hadn’t heard of any nuptials but it could’ve been done privately. Joseph was still upset that she and Alex hadn’t ended up together. He’d been so sure they were a perfect match.

“No, she won’t discuss the father. I’ve tried on several occasions to ask her about it and she closes right up. She said it was a one-time thing. The father didn’t know and she was keeping it that way. I tried to bribe her, threaten her and beg her, all to no avail. She’s being tight lipped about the whole incident,” John said with frustration.

“Was she seeing anyone around the time of her pregnancy that you could possibly question?” Joseph asked with sympathy towards his friend. He knew that if one of his sons got a lady pregnant he’d expect them to do the right thing. Hell, he hoped he’d raised them well enough that they’d do the right thing because it was what you did, not because it was expected from you.

“She hasn’t been in a relationship for a few years that I know of. She’s been hurt pretty badly. Her last serious relationship ended when she found the guy with another woman. She found out he’d been like many others before him and only after money,” he said with pain. John loved his daughter and it killed him to see her hurting.

“How old is the baby? Maybe somehow I can help you figure this out,” Joseph offered, although he didn’t have a lot of confidence in the plan.

“Jacob is three months and father or no father, he’s amazing. I’m so grateful he’s been given to us.

Jessica adores him. She loves being a mother and it’s lifted her out of the depression she was in for so long,” John said, instantly brightening up.

“She was in a depression?”

“It all started after that big fundraiser dinner last year at the Fairmont. She came home for a while and was so sad. I was actually a little relieved when she announced her pregnancy because she started taking better care of herself,” John said with a sigh.

Joseph sat up, on instant alert. “Can I see those pictures again John?” John was more than willing to share the pictures as many times as they were requested. This time when Joseph examined the photos before him he looked closely at the features. There was a real possibility that he was Alex’s son.

“John, has she given you any clues about the father?”

John was picking up on Joseph’s changed demeanor. “Do you think it could be one of your boys?” he asked with hope. John knew if it was either Alex or Mark, they’d step up and do the honorable thing.

“I think there’s a chance that he could be Alex’s. He was at that fundraiser and I’d asked him to look after Jessica since she was there alone. After the event, he came home and wasn’t himself not even going out. Then after a couple of months he went completely the opposite way and it seemed like he couldn’t get far enough away, like he was trying to outrun some demons or something,” Joseph finished softly.

“The only time she ever let something slip was to say that it was only one night and the guy hadn’t mistreated her in any way. She told me she’d made a mistake and wouldn’t make him sacrifice his life due to her indiscretion. I told her the father at least had the right to know and he certainly should own up to his responsibilities but she closed down after that and wouldn’t make any more comments on the subject.”

“I think we can get the answer of whether it’s Alex’s or not if I can see her and the child. I think we’ll be able to tell, from her reaction alone,” Joseph said with excitement. The possibility of having another grandchild was exhilarating.

“She’s coming over to dinner tonight. Why don’t you and Katherine join us?” John spoke with eager excitement.

“It’s a plan. John, if Alex is the father please don’t say anything tonight. Let me tell my son. I know he’ll do the right thing and I don’t want Jessica to think you or I forced him into it,” Joseph asked of his longtime friend.

“I can respect that and honor your wishes. I have no doubts Alex will take responsibility for any child of his,” John said with sincerity. “Joseph, I’m really sorry if he’s the father and she didn’t say anything. I’m sure she believed she was doing the right thing,” John finished sadly.

“I’ve known Jessica since she was a little girl John and I know that she would’ve had valid reasons for keeping this to herself. She most likely thought she was doing Alex a favor, since he hasn’t exactly portrayed himself as the stay-at-home with babies’ kind of guy,” Joseph admitted. “But I know if he’s a father, he’ll make a good one. I have to admit I’m really hoping the baby is his son because that means I have my first grandson,” he said with a smile.

They finished their lunch and went their separate ways, both anticipating the evening ahead. They’d receive answers to questions too long unanswered.

Joseph made sure to arrive before Jessica. When she walked into the dining room and saw Katherine and him sitting there, her face gave her away. She only took about two seconds to compose her features again and then greet his wife and him but in that unguarded moment, John and Joseph both had their answer.