Hand of Thorns by Ashley Beale Read Free Book Online Page A

be my support members. I don't tell her I don't have anyone, and instead I write down Sumner and Rochelle, along with their information. Following that is the legal stuff and a more descriptive Non-Disclosure Agreement, and one by one we finish up almost an hour later.
    Once the legal portion is done, a team of doctors, scientists, and a case manager come in to speak with me, adding to the insane amount of knowledge I'm already consuming. All in the same week as my finals for school. I have a feeling by the time Friday comes and goes, I'll be sleeping my life away for a week straight. That is, unless I have to continuously come in for checkups and all that.
    Everything is explained, and although my brain feels like it's going to explode, I feel I have a pretty well understanding of everything. Marney settles back in her spot on the couch across from me, a grin showing an immense amount of excitement. "Now that all the craziness is behind us, we have one last thing to work on today. Would you like to meet the parents?"
    I almost shout out ‘ no!’ because all the nerves that were taking over my body earlier intensify throughout. Since I can't quite move on with everything without meeting them, and having them agree to have me as their surrogate, I say yes. Marney gets up from the couch to walk towards the door. She walks out and back in only a moment later, allowing the couple to walk in one by one.
    The soon-to-be mother walks in first, her hair long and highlighted. She hides her face behind large sunglasses and absolutely no hint of a smile. She wears tiny shorts and a loose tank top, with heels at least three inches tall. She stares over to me before turning behind her to stare at her boyfriend.
    A boyfriend whom looks beyond familiar. Probably because ever since I met him two weeks ago, I've thought about different conversations I wish we would have had. I've dreamt about running into him on accident and us running off to elope. I've concocted many stories in my head of how our futures are meant to collide. I never once imagined this though.
    The silver of his eyes nearly sparkle when the light of the room hits his face. They narrow as they take me in, probably trying to figure out where he knows me from. This time he has a bit of a five o'clock shadow, whereas at the movie premiere he was completely clean cut. Without hesitation, I enjoy the scruff much better than the baby face.
    The two of them walk towards me with Marney walking behind them, talking about something. Except I can't hear her words. My body feels hardwired to Leon's, even though he probably hasn't thought about me once since I almost ran into him.
    "Miss Rockwell?" I hear.
    "Huh?" I glance over to Marney. I realize that I've been staring far too particularly at Leon, and now everyone is staring at me with perplexity. "I'm sorry. I probably should be more professional. I don't know many celebrities, I'm just in awe right now." It's only half the truth, but I'm sure it's believable enough.
    "It happens, don't worry about it," Marney says. "To make proper introductions, this is Eleanor Delacroix, you can call her Ellie. She is the potential mother. With her is Leon Owens, the potential father." Marney then points to me with her pen. "And this is Monica Rockwell, your potential surrogate mother."
    I've never in my entire life felt so scrutinized. It takes a second, but I finally see Eleanor's eyebrow pop up above her sunglasses. She casually slides them off her face, and I stare harder at her than I probably should, but it takes a lot of effort not to look at the man sitting next to her. The one causing my stomach to nerve up worse than before any of this. She folds the glasses up, placing them on her lap, then extends a hand to me. She finally looks familiar, but not in the way I'm sure she'd like to be known for- I know her from seeing her hooked to Leon's arm the other week.
    "It's so wonderful to make your acquaintance. I've been waiting for this day