ELEVEN

"I was surprised when you called for a meeting. Had to clear my schedule." Gwen flashes a wide smile at Xander, gesturing to the seats across from her. Xander takes his seat, with a clearly unamused Cara sinking into the chair next to him.

Cara didn't want to come back to this doctor. Yet here she is, in front of Gwen. She doubts this woman is even qualified.

"Thanks for coming," Xander says.

"I didn't think you'd go through with it," Gwen directs a fake smile at Cara, one Cara catches immediately. Cara glares back, starting a silent war.

Cara's stomach growls, and she smirks. *See, even the baby doesn't like her.* No, wait. *I'm just hungry.* All the more reason to leave.

"We're not here for anything more than checking if the baby is healthy," Xander says.

Gwen's smile falters. "Oh, you two went the natural route?" Her voice is tight, the anger barely masked. Cara grins.

*"WE HAD SEX,"* Cara says slowly, emphasizing every word to piss Gwen off.

Gwen rolls her eyes at the nuisance sitting across from her. She wonders what Xander sees in this woman. He deserves someone more sophisticated, like herself.

"Well, let's get an ultrasound," Gwen says, trying to regain her composure. Cara smirks, feeling like she's won this round.

---

*"I'll meet you outside,"* Xander tells Cara as she heads out the door. Cara rolls her eyes at both of them as she leaves the room.

"What do you want?" Gwen asks, her tone shifting to something more seductive.

"Is there a way to get a paternity test?" Xander's voice is low, suspicious. He doesn't trust anyone—not even the woman carrying his child.

Gwen smirks, pleased that Xander doesn't trust Cara. "Yes, but not until the seventh or eighth week. She's only in her third."

"Okay," Xander says, pulling cash from his jacket.

"That won't be necessary." Gwen waves him off with a smile. Xander nods and walks out of her office.

Xander finds Cara staring at the paparazzi outside, her arms crossed. She senses him beside her. *"Someone must have tipped them off,"* she whispers.

"Andre did. It's good they see us together," Xander replies, adjusting his suit.

"I look like crap." She feels like crap too. For the first time, Cara Green doesn't want to be in front of cameras. *"Can we not?"* She turns, suddenly realizing how close she is to him, then steps back.

Xander studies her for a moment. "Okay, we'll go out the back." He mutters.

Cara takes another step back, genuinely surprised. "Thanks," she says with a small smile.

"Don't thank me. You do look like crap, and I can't be seen with you like that." He walks ahead.

Cara's smile drops into a frown. *Asshole.*

---

"I don't like that doctor," Cara announces the moment they're in the car. As usual, Xander ignores her, focused on his phone. Cara has half a mind to grab it and chuck it out the window.

She isn't used to silence, so the tension in the car makes her uneasy. Leaning forward, she addresses the driver.

"You're Marco, right?" Cara asks, watching the man stiffen. He keeps his eyes on the road, trying not to show how nervous he is. Usually, he's invisible when driving for Xander.

"Yes, ma'am," he says, his voice respectful.

*"I'm no ma'am. Call me Cara."*

Xander pretends to stay absorbed in his phone but listens closely to their conversation.

"So, you're the one who scratched my bike," Cara teases, noticing how uncomfortable he is.

Marco's heart races. He doesn't know how he avoided getting fired for that, and now it's being brought up.

"Uh, I—I'm so-sorry, ma'am." Marco stutters.

Cara chuckles at his nervousness. She loves making men nervous, though she doesn't get that reaction from Xander. He makes her nervous, and she hates it.

"Do I make you nervous?" she continues, her tone playful, which earns an eye roll from Xander. She notices Marco's wedding ring. "Married?" she asks, smirking.

"Yes," Marco says, swallowing hard.

"Too bad," Cara sighs, pretending to be disappointed.

Xander, now thoroughly irritated, clears his throat. "We should talk business."

Cara falls back into her seat, a triumphant smile on her face. *Got him to speak.* "What business?"

"Since we're not following the rules of the previous contract, I'll have my assistant draft a new one..."

*"I'm not signing any contract."*

"You will," Xander insists, his tone firm. He usually shuts her up with that commanding voice, but today, Cara stands her ground.

*"I won't."*

"You will," Xander argues back.

Cara smirks. "I can do this all day."

"You're signing the contract. That's final," Xander says more calmly. She's one of the most infuriating people he's ever met.

*"I don't know how you live your life, but you're going to have to trust me."*

Her words are almost laughable, but Xander keeps a straight face.

"Then I guess you don't want the money that comes with the contract." He shrugs.

Cara turns to him. "Keep talking."

Don't blame her; Cara loves money. And to be frank, who doesn't?

---

"Okay, I'll sign your stupid contract," Cara says, sounding defeated.

"Good." Xander nods, satisfied. "We're going to get your things from your place because, like before, you'll be living with me."

Cara doesn't argue. She loves living in a mansion—who wouldn't? "Can my friend visit?"

"Yes."

"Can we stop somewhere for a bite? Your kid's hungry," Cara pouts, placing a hand on her stomach, dramatically.

Xander raises an eyebrow. "You mean *you're* hungry."

"Your kid is."

Xander rolls his eyes. "Why do I even try?"

---

"Do you need anything else, ma'am?" Cara looks up at the waiter. Dirty blond hair, blue eyes, dimples, and muscular arms—he's easy on the eyes, even in the ridiculous white shirt they make the staff wear. Just seeing him when they walked in made Cara's appetite disappear.

She's definitely eating here more often.

*"I will..."*

"Nothing, she's fine," Xander interrupts, glaring at the waiter. He notes the name tag—"Kyle"—just in case this guy wants to lose his job. Kyle quickly walks away, avoiding trouble.

"Why do you have to be rude?" Cara asks, taking a sip of her milkshake.

"Do you have to flirt with everyone?"

*"I don't flirt with you."* Cara retorts.

"And I thank God for that."

Cara rolls her eyes and realizes people in the restaurant are staring. Those who aren't staring are taking pictures. *"Shit."*

"What?" Xander turns and notices it too. "This is why I pick the restaurants." He faces forward, grateful that at least no one has approached them for a picture.

*"Is this your life?"*

"Now your life too," Xander says with a sly smile.

Cara puts down her milkshake and raises her hand, flipping off the people taking pictures with a big smile on her face.

"What the hell are you doing?" Xander tries to stay calm, but too much crazy in one day can break anyone.

"Join me," Cara winks.

"Put your hand down. You're embarrassing me," Xander says slowly, trying to stay stern.

Cara looks at his pissed-off expression, still smiling. "You know what would be embarrassing? If I stood up right now and dumped this milkshake on your head. That would be a scandal, right?" Cara threatens with a grin. "So, join me. Have a little fun."

Xander clenches his fist, anger simmering just beneath the surface. He should have sued her when he had the chance.

Xander lifts his hand and copies Cara, turning to the people taking pictures. And somehow, he feels liberated. He won't admit it to anyone, but it's fun.

"See? We're a goofy couple."

---

*"What?"* Xander says into his phone as he walks down the stairs of his house.

"The stunt you pulled yesterday was amazing. I love it," Andre says, excitement in his voice. Xander's about to ask what stunt, but Andre continues, "The middle finger thing? Iconic. You guys are memes."

Xander rolls his eyes at Andre's enthusiasm. "Okay," he replies, bored, as he reaches the last step.

"People think Cara brings out the fun side of you. They want interviews. We have four magazines waiting to shoot with the couple."

"I have no fun side, and I don't want any interviews." Xander hangs up before Andre can argue.

He turns and sees the curly-haired woman standing in front of him, arms folded—a clear sign she's serious about whatever she's going to say. Too bad Xander can't take her seriously in those shorts and that crop top.

"I was just about to head out and pick up the rest of my stuff, but I found a new driver," Cara says, her eyes narrowing. "Where's Marco?"

Xander steps down the last stair, bringing him within inches of her. "I fired him," he replies, his voice cold before he starts to walk away.

"Not so fast." She grabs his arm, her grip firm enough to make him turn back to her, though he barely moves. "Why?"

"In case you haven't noticed, he's the reason I have to deal with your madness every day."

Cara's eyes flash with defiance. "The only reason you do is because you're just as crazy. Besides, you didn't want to sue me."

"I can still arrange that," he warns, glaring at her.

Cara smirks, unphased. "But you won't. We're in too deep now. And I think you're starting to like me." She pouts playfully. "You'll bring him back."

"No," he says firmly, brushing her hands off and walking away.

Cara watches him leave, a smirk lingering on her lips.

Oh, he'll hire him back.

~~~

"What? I have a meeting in five minutes," Xander snaps into his phone, irritated by the interruption.

"Our house guest just had a death trap delivered and is about to go out on it. I don't even think she's using a helmet," Jonathan reports.

Xander's blood boils. "She's not riding a motorcycle while she's pregnant with my child," he yells into the phone. "Where is she?"

"Right here, sir," Jonathan replies, his eyes on Cara, who's grinning like she's won a game.

"Put me on speaker," Xander commands.

Jonathan obeys, holding out his phone. "You're on speaker, sir."

"What do you think you're doing?" Xander's voice booms through the phone.

Cara steps closer, her tone mocking. "I decided to get my own transportation since there's no Marco to drive me."

"You are not riding that thing."

"Oh, but I will."

Xander's office door swings open, and his flirtatious secretary steps in. "Sir, your business partner is waiting in the conference room."

"I'll be right there," Xander dismisses her, his focus still on Cara.

"Looks like you're busy," Cara taunts.

"I'm not done with you." He pauses, then relents with a sigh. "Jonathan, call Marco and have him return." Xander ends the call, swearing this is the last time he lets her win.

Cara beams, surprised and pleased by her victory.

"Yes, sir," Jonathan responds.

"And, we should do a magazine cover. My face belongs on it," Cara adds with a grin, just before Xander hangs up in frustration.

Cara: 1, Xander: 2.