Page 102 of Secret Seduction

“It’s fine. I’m not planning to go into the office, so we’ll take a longer nap.”

“Oh! Speaking of which,” Dani says, “did you find a nanny, or will you need me to watch him?”

“Actually”—I clear my throat—“I’ve decided not to get a nanny.”

Everyone’s gaze lands on me.

“Are you quitting your job?” Matteo jokes.

“No, I’ve been thinking since Dani’s and my conversation …” I glance at my sister. “When you said you didn’t want to choose between your family and work … if you could have both, would you want that … to work and raise your family?”

“I mean, yeah,” she says. “But I don’t see how that’s possible.”

“I had a meeting with a friend of mine a couple of weeks ago. Julian Parker …”

“CEO of Kingston Limited,” Dominick finishes. “Good guy.”

“Yeah. He was telling me that he and his wife opened a corporate day care in their office. It’s run by a third party, and he gave me their contact info. After assessing our office, I realized we have the room, and after taking a poll, enough employees said they would use it if it was offered.

“So, I’m going to open one. The agency will handle it all, and I’ve contracted a company that deals with building day cares. I was thinking you could work a couple of days in the office, and when you come in, Alba could play with other kids. And then you could work remotely the rest of the week.”

When a soft smile spreads across my sister’s face, I know I’m doing the right thing.

“That would be amazing,” Dani says. “Alba would get to socialize, and I could see her anytime I wanted.”

“Look at you,” Vanessa murmurs. “Making everyone’s dream come true.”

Yeah, I think to myself. Everyone’s dreams but my own.

Too bad the only dream I currently have involves spending the rest of my life with the one woman I have to let go.

35

Vanessa

Four and a half days.

That’s how long it’s been since I said goodbye to Lorenzo and Leo at the airport.

108 hours.

6,480 minutes.

388,800 seconds.

Yes, I did the math because I’m not doing anything else other than hiding in my bed, crying my life away since I don’t have to report to work for a few more days and Destiny is away with her boyfriend until after the holidays.

My thoughts go back to the airport. As if Leo knew this wasn’t a quick goodbye, like when I ran to the grocery store, he clung to me, refusing to let go. Lorenzo had to pry him from my arms, and then he cried as they watched me walk through security.

More than once, I considered running back to them.

Going home and quitting school.

Who needs a degree anyway?

But I knew I couldn’t do that.

I not only need my degree, but I want it. I’ve worked too hard to get this far, only to throw it all away for a man—even if the man is someone I love.