Page 76 of Love In The Spotlight

“No,” Laken said. “I didn’t. I wish I had. But I do know that they are working on the final designs now.”

“It’s not done yet?” he asked.

“Tweaks,” she said. “West has a company producing the final products. You said you didn’t care about the little things like that.”

“No,” he said. “I just want to see them when they are done.”

He’d let Penelope pick them out and he didn’t know the first thing about all the safety issues. That was why West was taking the lead on this. Jamie was more interested in it being fun and something a child would like.

The soap and shampoos had been tested and patented. He did all the work on that end knowing that West would be impressed.

The formula was perfect and shouldn’t give them any issues. It was prettying up the product that he didn’t know the first thing about.

“Not much longer,” she said.

Laken sat at the table and Penelope said, “Sit by me, please. You’re pretty.” Penelope held her arm up. “Remember your bracelet?”

“Ah,” his girlfriend said, her eye landing on the silver cuff she’d given his daughter previously. Penelope had it on all the time, usually over her clothing to keep it on her upper arm. “I think you’re pretty too. And I’m glad you’re still enjoying the bracelet. I love the heart on your shirt. I’ve got hearts too.”

Laken held her foot up and showed her socks. Just a coincidence but a cute one at that.

Jamie always worried how he’d feel if he brought a woman home to meet his daughter in this capacity and he realized now he had nothing to worry about.

To the outside world, Laken might come across as businesslike and maybe stiff, but he had to remember she’d been around children and helping to raise them most of her life. She obviously knew how to put them at ease.

“I have heart socks. Mine are green.”

“You have more than one pair of socks with hearts on them,” Janelle said. “I believe you have at least five pairs.”

He grinned since Janelle did most of Penelope’s shopping for him.

“I like the green ones the best,” Penelope said. “Can I put them on?”

“I’ll go get them,” he said.

“Nonsense,” Janelle said. She put the last of the French toast she’d been making in front of them. “I’ll do it and you two eat. I know you’ve got a meeting after and Laken is short on time.”

They both helped themselves to the food. “Sorry,” she said. “I am short on time and hate that.”

“Don’t be. I know it’s hard. Maybe this is a step in the right direction.”

She turned her head and winked at him. He was dying to lean in and kiss her but knew that would be pushing it for his daughter.

“I think it is.”

When breakfast was done, they went to his office.

“Sorry about that,” Laken said. “I didn’t think she’d be that upset.”

“I didn’t either,” he said. His daughter didn’t want Laken to leave and wanted them to go play upstairs together. “Maybe if you can come back soon, not for work.”

“You mean as your girlfriend?” she asked.

“Something like that,” he said.

“I get it. No signs of affection in front of her. But maybe this Saturday for a few hours. I know it’s your day with your daughter before you leave for work.”

“I have to fly out on Saturday night,” he said. “My flight leaves at five.”

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