No Strings Attached novel (Clara and Ian)
Chapter 269

Snow barked in response, sharing in the excitement. Just as they were celebrating, Clara's phone rang. Seeing the caller ID, she immediately pressed the answer button. "Christy."

"Clara, there's a charity auction tomorrow night. I've heard there are loads of cute knick-knacks. Wanna check it out?"

Without a second thought, Clara agreed. "Sounds great! With the holidays around the corner, I'd love to pick up some gifts."

Christy chuckled. "You really should treat Mr. Hayes to something nice, considering how he's been taking care of you day in and day out."

Clara's cheeks flushed. "Who told you that?"

"Who else but your very own Mr. Hayes? Haven't you seen his social media updates? The usually quiet lan has been posting non-stop since you two made up. It's like he's a peacock showing off his feathers, desperate to let the world know he's in love."

Afraid Clara wouldn't believe her, Christy found lan's social pages, took a few screenshots, and sent them to her. Only then did it dawn on Clara that lan had blocked her from seeing these posts. She hadn't caught a single update.

[Here's my girlfriend, the future Mrs. Hayes.]

[Working late, but still in line to grab my queen her favorite cream puff.]

[Mrs. Hayes loves this restaurant. Thinking of poaching their chef for home.]

[Another case won. What to do with such a savvy lawyer for a wife?]

[Missing her the second I boarded the plane. How will I survive the coming days?]

Clara couldn't help but laugh at the cheesy posts, a soft sparkle appearing in her eyes. She knew lan was trying to make up for past neglect.

They'd been together for three years, but he'd never introduced her to any of his friends or family. Now that they had defined their relationship, he was eager to go public. He wanted the world to witness his true feelings for her.

The following evening.

Clara met Christy and her little family. Della greeted her with a happy smile and clapped her hands, asking to be held. Clara melted as she picked up the cuddly little tot. "You love your godmother this much, huh? How about I snag you a fancy New Year's gift?"

Della bubbled and babbled. Her tiny mouth moved in incoherent chatter.

Roger joked, "My girl says, if her godfather's that rich, her godmother better get me a big present to match."

Christy gave him a glare. "My daughter is nothing like you, eyes only for money."

"Silly wife, with lan away, don't miss your chance to splurge on his dime. Otherwise, you might not get another shot."

Clara laughed. "It's no issue even if he's here - it's not his money we're spending."

The group chatted and laughed as they entered the auction. No sooner had they settled in than Clara spotted a familiar figure approaching.

Heidi glanced at Della, with a faint smile on her face. "Attorney Clara, if you love kids so much, you and lan should get on with having one. With your genes, the kid would be stunning."

After her comment, Heidi sized up Clara's belly with exaggerated surprise. "You've been together two months already. No baby bump? Surely you're not having trouble conceiving?"