Page 46 of A Bossy Surprise

“That’s another thing. Children are very perceptive. Even if we try to keep things between us quiet, Brady will know. I don’t want to get his hopes up.”

“But don’t we owe it to him to give things a try? Doesn’t he deserve to have parents who are together?”

“What are you saying? I was talking about not fooling around again, but it sounds like you want us to date.”

His eyes cut up as if he too is surprised by his words. “I guess that is what I’m saying.” He drains his coffee cup and shrugs. “Would that be so bad?” I don’t know what to say to that, so I remain silent. “We are clearly physically attracted to each other, and I don’t know about how you feel about me, but I’ve always admired you.”

Calling this revelation stunning would be an understatement.

He’s right. I’ve always found him attractive, but I’ve never really thought a romantic relationship between us was possible. Even when I found out I was pregnant with Brady and was deliberating telling him or not, I never considered, even for a second, that he’d want a relationship with me.

Hearing him say all this is a little trippy. It’s a lot for my brain to process this early in the day.

“I appreciate you saying that, but ultimately, I don’t think it’s a good idea. There’s too much is at stake. Things are good as they are. We are both in control of our careers and you are forming a relationship with Brady. I think we’re pretty lucky with what we have going right now. Asking for more I feel is like tempting fate.”

He assesses me with eyes now cold. Then says, “If that’s what you want…”

“Yes, it is what I want.”

He stands up and walks over to the sink with his empty mug.

Standing an inch away from me, he proceeds to wash it. He’s so close to me that I can feel his body heat and it’s all I can do not to reach out and touch him.

When he’s done, he places the mug on the drying rack and says, “I really should get dressed.”

He retreats to my bedroom and the second he does I let out a breath I hadn’t been aware I was holding in.

A few minutes later I’m in the living room when he walks back out. This time dressed in his clothes from last night.

He is doing up his cufflinks when he says, “Do you live alone?”

“What?” I raise an eyebrow.

“Do you live alone?” he asks, this time slower.

“No, I live with Brady,” I say even slower than he did.

“I meant besides Brady.”

“No, I don’t live with anyone besides Brady. Why?”

“I was just wondering, if you leave this early, who gets him up and off to school?”

“Oh, that. I have a nanny, Fiona.” I look at the watch on my wrist. “She should be here any moment. I pay her to get here just before I leave. She stays until Brady wakes up, then gets him ready for school and waits with him until the school bus picks him up. She’s a part-time college student and is usually available when I need her. It’s a great arrangement because my schedule is unpredictable.”

“Huh…”

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“You have an opinion about this. What is it?”

“Do you trust this Fiona person? I mean, how long have you had this arrangement?”

I laugh. “Fiona has been with us ever since I started at GNN three years ago. So to answer your question, yes, I trust Fiona.”

“Okay, as long as you’re sure.”