Page 112 of Manhattan Bossholes

His mouth dropped open, and he froze.

“Piper.”

I nodded, relieved that I didn’t have to hide it from him any longer.

I’d found out the day before the party, and I’d planned to tell him once it was over, when we had time to ourselves again. But the combination of his questions and my increasing symptoms made it an impossible secret to keep.

“I’m about eight weeks along,” I said.

Vincent shook his head like he still couldn’t quite process the news. “But…how did you not know sooner?”

“I’ve always been irregular, so I didn’t question when I was late. And we’ve been careful.”

“Except that one time,” he said with awe in his voice. “Oh my god, Piper, we’re pregnant!”

He swept me into his arms and spun me around, realizing during the second turn it might not be the best idea to pirouette a woman who got seasick walking across the room. He placed me back on the floor then kissed me.

My heart was exploding into a thousand joyful fragments. How did I get so lucky?

Vincent cupped my cheek in his hand and stared into my eyes.

“Oh, my sweet Piper,” he murmured. “I’m in shock. And I’m just so damn happy.”

“Me too,” I replied. “I know it wasn’t in our plans, and we’re both super busy⁠—”

“Hey,” he cut me off with a frown. “Nothing is more important than this.”

He placed his hand on my stomach.

“We’ll make it work,” he continued. “You’ve got a few months to get everything situated with Strapped, and then Darcy and the rest of your team can step in to cover for you. Knowing the way your mind works, I’m sure you’ll push yourself until the very last second.”

I laughed. “Maybe. But I love it, you know that.”

“I do,” he said, touching his forehead to mine and resting his hand on the back of my neck, like we were teammates in a huddle.

Which we sort of were.

“Then once our beautiful baby is here, you can go back to work whenever you’re ready, and I’ll take over,” he said, pulling away slightly so he could watch my face.

I frowned at him. “Take over? What do you mean?”

His jaw clenched for a moment before he spoke, like he was working up the courage to say what was on his mind.

“I’ve been considering something I think is the right move for us.” Vincent paused a beat. “I’m going to take a leave of absence from Summit and be a full-time father for the first few years.”

It was my turn to freeze and stare at him with my mouth hanging open.

“Vincent, no! Are you crazy? You can’t. You are Summit⁠—”

He placed his finger against my lips to get me to shut up.

“I was Summit. Now, I’m something else entirely. A husband-to-be. A father-to-be. Those are the most important jobs in the world. Summit will be fine without me. I’ve hired the best of the best—you know that firsthand. I trust my team. I’ve got time to get everyone up to speed before I bow out.”

I felt a clammy mix of excitement and nerves, because I wasn’t at all sure he was making the right decision.

“But,” I whispered, “I don’t want you to regret it. What if you hate it? Being a stay-at-home parent is a ton of work.”

“You’re right, it is a lot of work, but why is it preordained that you have to be the one to take it on? I know it won’t be easy, but this is the path I’m choosing.” His expression darkened for a moment. “I’ve seen what life is like with a father who puts work first. He missed so much of my early life. Yeah, he’s clearly making up for it now, but the man has regrets, and I’m not willing to let the same thing happen to me. I know this is right for us. For our family.”