Page 14 of One Baddie for Three Daddies

Stepping out of the car, I inhale deeply, letting the salty ocean air fill my lungs. It’s grounding, a reminder that I’m here to do a job and I’m damn good at it. The sun kisses my skin, adding a bit of warmth to my resolve as I head to the meeting where Alex and Liam are waiting.

Walking into the meeting room, I immediately sense the shift in atmosphere. Alex and Liam are already seated, their eyes glued to the documents in front of them. They don’t acknowledge me as I walk in, not even a nod or a quick glance. The tension is thick enough to cut with a knife.

“Good morning, everyone,” Sarah, the project manager, chirps brightly, her enthusiasm a stark contrast to the icy reception from Alex and Liam.

“Morning,” I reply, trying to match her energy as I take my seat. But my heart’s already sinking.

Sarah dives right into the discussion, outlining some ideas she’s had since our last meeting. She talks about incorporating more sustainable materials and possibly adding a rooftop garden. Her voice is animated, hands gesturing as she explains her vision.

I nod along, taking notes and making suggestions where I can. But it’s hard to focus with Alex and Liam sitting there like statues, their silence loud and oppressive. Every time Sarah directs a question at them, they respond with short, clipped answers without ever looking my way.

“Bianca,” Sarah turns to me with a smile that doesn’t quite reach her eyes, “what do you think about using reclaimed wood for the main lobby? It could add a lot of character.”

“I think that’s a great idea,” I say, forcing myself to sound enthusiastic. “It would definitely give the space a unique touch while also being environmentally friendly.”

“Exactly what I was thinking,” she beams, jotting down notes. “And maybe some exposed brick walls?”

“Absolutely,” I agree, but my mind is only half on the conversation. The other half is spiraling into panic mode.

Alex shifts in his seat but still doesn’t look at me. Liam flips through some papers with unnecessary force, making it clear he’s not thrilled to be here.

As Sarah continues outlining plans for different sections of the property, my anxiety ratchets up another notch. Are Alex and Liam going to undermine me just because of what happened this morning? Will they let their personal feelings get in the way of this project?

“Bianca?” Sarah’s voice snaps me back to reality.

“Sorry,” I say quickly. “I was just thinking about how we can tie those elements together seamlessly.”

She nods approvingly but throws a quick glance at Alex and Liam. “It’s crucial that we’re all on the same page.”

My heart races as I look over at them again. They’re both staring resolutely at their documents, ignoring me like I’m invisible.

I start to wonder if this tension will ruin everything I’ve worked so hard for.

My mind starts to spiral. What if Alex and Liam decide I’m too much of a liability? What if they fire me and hire someone else just to avoid conflict? My heart pounds at the thought, each beat echoing in my ears.

Sarah's voice fades into the background as my thoughts take over. The fear gnaws at me. I can’t afford to lose this job. This project is my big break, my chance to prove myself in this competitive industry.

8

LIAM

The meeting finally wraps up, and the room buzzes with agreement on the plans for the new hotel resort. I can barely look at Bianca. Seeing her in James's bed this morning—it’s like a punch to the gut every time I think about it.

Alex claps his hands, snapping me out of my thoughts. “Alright, folks. Looks like we’ve got ourselves a solid plan. Let’s meet again next week for the progress update.”

People start gathering their things, and I watch as Bianca hesitates before approaching us. Her eyes dart between Alex and me, her expression hard to read.

“Hey,” she says, her voice steady but low. “Can we talk?”

I cross my arms. “Make it quick,” I say, my tone colder than I intended.

“Look, about this morning." She pauses for a moment, clearly struggling to find the words.

"I know what it looked like, but it wasn’t that.”

“Really? Because it looked pretty damn clear to me,” I reply.

She lets out a deep sigh. “I ran into James at the bar last night. It just happened. I was as surprised to see him as I was to see you and Alex yesterday.”

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