Page 21 of His Surrender

A corner of his mouth lifts. “I own a tech company.”

“Right.” I laugh. “Wrong audience for calling business nerdy.”

“What do you want to do with it?”

The question catches me off guard. Not because it’s difficult, but because it’s been a while since someone asked what I wanted instead of why I wasn’t working.

“I’d love to work in branding and ads. Maybe for a consumer company or a sports team.” I look down at Liana, who seems perfectly content with her bottle. “Honestly, at this point, I’d go for anyone that was willing to give me a chance.”

Dean is quiet for a moment. “I’m sorry.”

I look up. “For what?”

“That this was the opportunity you found.”

His words surprise me.

I shake my head. “Don’t be.”

He looks unconvinced.

“I mean it.” I smile. “This might not be where I pictured myself a month ago, but life doesn’t always stick to the plan.”

“No,” he says quietly. “It definitely doesn’t.”

Our eyes meet for a brief second.

For the first time since I walked into his penthouse, the intimidating billionaire disappears completely.

He’s just a man whose life changed overnight.

And somehow, that makes him a whole lot easier to talk to.

CHAPTER SEVEN

DEAN

Iroll onto my back, letting my body wake slowly for the first time in what feels like forever. My arms stretch above my head, and a long breath escapes my lungs.

I feel … rested. The realization is so foreign that it takes a second to register.

I actually slept. My eyes drift toward the clock on the nightstand—8:47.

My heart lurches. I shoot upright so fast that the room spins. The bassinet beside my bed is empty.

Every ounce of peace evaporates in an instant.

“Liana?” The name leaves my mouth before my brain catches up.

Aubrey.

A rush of relief crashes into me almost as quickly as the panic did.

Still, I don’t waste another second before throwing the covers back and hurrying toward the bedroom door.

I step into the hallway, expecting to hear Liana crying. Instead, I hear soft humming.

Following the sound into the kitchen, I find Aubrey standing at the island with Liana tucked against her shoulder. She’s swaying gently as she warms a bottle in a mug of hot water.