Free A Secret to Keep by Railyn Stone

and sat down. Picking up her pen and tapping it on the desk; she knew it was wrong, but having Chase pose as her boyfriend could work. Couldn’t it?
    “Hello, I don’t think so,” Chase said, pointing to the picture behind her. “The picture behind your desk says otherwise. I’m sure he saw it and is wondering about it.”
    Looking up quickly, Sloane spun around to look at the tiny innocent face of her baby boy in the picture frame behind her desk. “Oh no! I forgot all about that.” It was an older picture of him so Gates probably got the impression Brayden was a newborn. It was in plain view for Gates and she wasn’t sure if he’d seen it, but if he had, she had a lot of explaining to do. Turning back to face her friend, she pleaded for his help. “I really need your help on this, Chase. I know it’s a lot to ask, but-”
    Chase could see the question in Sloane’s eyes and realized what she was asking. “Oh no, no, Sloane. It’s bad enough you have him thinking we’re together, but now you want him to think Brayden’s mine ? No. I’m not doing it.”
    Skirting around the desk, Sloane knelt beside him and placed her hands on the arm of the chair. “Chase, please. It’s only for a little while, just until he goes back to New York. Please?”
    “Sloane, this is wrong on all accounts.” Chase stood and walked over to look out of her window.
    “Please.” She stood from her spot, wringing her hands and continuing to beg for his help. She didn’t have a clue what else to do and she needed him more than ever now.
    Turning to face her, Chase shook his head. “What’s so wrong with you telling him the truth?”
    “I can’t. You know that. Please, I really need this favor. Think about what’s best for Brayden.”
    “What’s best for him is to know who his father is.”
    “After talking to Gates the other night, I don’t know if it’s best to tell him. Please Chase. Please do this for me? I’ll never ask you for anything else.” She walked to his side and clutched his arm presenting the biggest, saddest eyes she could muster.
    “Don’t lie.”
    “Okay, I won’t ask you for anything this big. Please?” She batted her eyelashes at him and hoped he would agree to her plan.
    “I cannot believe I’m agreeing to this.” Chase grumbled. “Okay, fine. But this is only until he leaves.”
    “Okay.” She breathed deep trying to dismiss the nagging thoughts of how badly this farce could backfire if Gates found out the truth. She walked back to the shelf behind her desk and picked up the frame holding the picture of Brayden.
    “I hope this doesn’t come back to bite you.” Chase added, waiting for her to get her things so they could go to lunch.
    Staring at her precious baby’s face behind the glass, she wiped her fingers across his image and sighed. “Me too.”
     

Chapter 5
     
    “As you can see, the hospital will not only bring opportunities for children to be treated for very severe injuries, but will also increase the opportunities for more jobs. With more medical professionals in the area, it will increase the chances for more research and grants and give this community a chance to capitalize on various educational prospects as well.” Sloane couldn’t tell if Gates was really listening or not as she finished their presentation, and then watched as he leaned back in the leather chair and flipped through their proposal. Evan had returned and sat on Gates’ right. He was a welcomed face in the boardroom and she was thankful he was there.
    She wasn’t sure exactly what to do next and it seemed Gates was taking his sweet time with making any type of comments as to whether he liked the proposal, or wanted her to drop dead in the middle of the floor. He hadn’t mentioned anything about meeting Chase, nor had he said anything about the picture of Brayden. Actually, he hadn’t said much of anything to her. Noticing the growing apprehension on her face, Evan cleared his throat and started