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“Mommy!” Sofia darts into the room swinging the doll with the short red dress in her hand, stops in mid-step, and then launches herself at Harbor.
“Hey, there, cutie.” Harbor raises her up into the air. “How’re you today?”
“Good.” Her eyes dance as she shows her the doll and tells her about her morning. “And then saw you.”
“Well, I’m happy you did.” Harbor deposits her back to her feet and ruffles her hair. And then frowns, returning her attention to me. “I’ve got to go back. My boss needs me this afternoon for a meeting.”
My stomach clenches. I shouldn’t have drank the coffee. “When do you have to leave?”
“Now.” She wipes her hands on her pants. “I’m sorry.”
“No, it’s fine.”
“Here, let me take Sofia.” Emilia marches across the floor, laces her fingers through my niece’s, and leads her toward the door. “Come on, little lady, we need to go to the store.”
“Yes!” Sofia dances and spins in a circle as Emilia twirls her and walks at the same time.
The second the door closes, I cross my arms over my chest, already protecting myself from her departure. “Well….”
“Listen….” She places her hands on my chest. “Let’s not make this a big deal. I’ve got to go to work. You’ve got to go to work. Couples do that, right?”
“Yes, they do.” I uncross my arms and pull her tight to me. Even if it’s only for a few moments, I need this reassurance that when she walks out, she’s coming back. “You’re right.”
“Good.” She studies me and stands on her tiptoes. “So, no sadness or worry? We’re good, right?”
“Right,” I chuckle, boost her off the ground, and smash my mouth against hers. I’m going to leave no doubt in her mind that she belongs with me.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Harbor
“Did you get down the Wellington Foundation party on the 10th?” Mr. Burke glances up from his tablet and lifts the black stylus off the surface.
“Of course.” I lean back in the limo as Langley navigates through the city to a recognition dinner in honor of my boss. The past year, he donated a substantial amount to the hospital to add a wing for cancer patients as he lost his mother to breast cancer at a young age. The groundbreaking ceremony was this afternoon, and now for dinner with the hospital board of directors and their families. They’ve rented out the top floor of a luxury hotel that overlooks the San Francisco Bay.
“Perfect.” He presses the center of his black-rimmed glasses back up his nose. “At the dinner party this evening, I need you to stay close so that you can jot down any important events the team has scheduled for the building project. This one is important to me.”
“Yes, Sir. I know.” I snatch a strawberry off the silver tray and pop it into my mouth. We’ve been going nonstop since this morning, and there’s been no time to eat. The juice is sweet and makes my mouth water. After swallowing, I dab my lipstick on the white linen napkin.
“Of course you do.” He shakes his head. “I don’t know why I even bother asking if you know how to do your job. You’ve not let me down since day one.”
“And I don’t intend to.” I smile and cross my legs, letting the modest black pump swing loose. The only thing I hate about these events is sweaty feet and high heels. I would love to toss on a pair of tennis shoes, and while I’m adding it, pair them with a T-shirt and shorts.
“How was your visit home this time?” He arches an eyebrow. “You seem relaxed and….” He tilts his head sideways. “If I dare say it, happy?
“Yes, actually, I am happy.” I drop the tablet onto my lap. I’ve never been happier in my life.
“The roses are beautiful.”
“Thank you.” Cole thoroughly kissed me before sending me on my way, and while I haven’t been able to speak to him since returning to work, he had a dozen white roses delivered to my office within minutes of my arrival.
No one has ever bought me flowers. Let alone roses. And now, I can’t wait to get back home this weekend and see him again. The only concern I have is….
Well, I have two concerns. The first is not seeing him often enough. And the next is, how do you date someone when you can’t go out in public together? Okay, that’s kind of a stupid question. I shiver as all the delicious things we can do locked up in his house dance through my head. But at some point, that won’t be enough.
“If you don’t mind me asking you a question, I’d love to know something.”
“Shoot.”
