Page 13 of One Baddie for Three Daddies

"Shit," James mutters, raking a hand through his hair. "I had no idea they were coming over. I didn’t even know they knew I was in town or had my address."

"Well, they saw us." I pace the room, trying to process the whirlwind of embarrassment. "This is just... fantastic."

He reaches for my arm gently, stopping me in my tracks. "Bia, I’m sorry. Really. If I’d known..."

"It’s not your fault," I sigh, meeting his hazel eyes. "It’s just... What are the chances? I didn’t expect to see them at your place of all places, and I’m meeting with them in three hours."

James shakes his head, frustration etched into his features.

I sigh, releasing the tension knotting my shoulders. “I’m not mad at you," I say, my voice softer. "It’s just... a lot to process right now."

I walk into his room to get dressed and grab my things. James follows me, not saying a word.

"I need to get going," I tell him, slipping into my pants as quickly as possible. "I have to shower and get ready for this meeting."

"Yeah, of course," James replies, his eyes tracking my movements. "Are you going to be okay?"

"I’ll be fine," I assure him, giving him a small smile despite the chaos inside me. "But call me later, okay?"

"Absolutely," he says firmly.

Once I’m dressed I grab my purse from the table by the door. Just before I step out, I turn back to look at him one last time.

"Thanks for last night," I say with a genuine smile. “It was... good seeing you again.”

He returns the smile, and for a moment, everything is almost normal. “You too, Bia.”

My heels click against the pavement as I head to my car, the sound echoing in the empty parking lot. My heart races, still caught in the whirlwind of panic from Alex and Liam seeing me with James. How did it all unravel so fast? One moment I was on cloud nine, and the next, I’m yanked back to reality.

But beneath that panic, a shock of another kind pulses through me. Last night was... incredible. I can't believe how effortlessly we slipped back into the way things used to be. It felt like no time had passed, like we were those same people from college, lost in each other.

I bring my hand up to my neck, shivering as I recall the sensation of James’s fingers wrapped around it. The way he held me, possessive and sure, sent a thrill through me I haven’t felt in years. A small smile tugs at my lips despite myself.

Unlocking my car, I slide into the driver’s seat and sit there for a moment. I need to focus. There’s no room for distractions right now—not with a huge meeting looming in just a few hours. But how am I supposed to concentrate when every nerve ending is still buzzing from last night?

The thought of seeing Alex and Liam again makes my stomach twist into knots. They were furious, jumping to all kinds of conclusions about James and me. And why wouldn’t they? It looked bad—worse than bad.

I start the car and pull out of the parking lot, my mind whirling with thoughts of how to navigate this mess. But amidst the chaos, one thing stands out: being with James again felt right. Maybe too right.

“Get it together, Bianca,” I mutter to myself as I drive. “You’ve got bigger things to worry about.”

Yet no matter how hard I try to push those thoughts aside, memories from last night keep flooding back—James’s touch, his scent, his voice whispering in my ear. It’s maddening.

As I merge onto the highway, I can’t help but wonder what Alex and Liam will say at the meeting today. Will they confront me? Will they even look at me?

Life’s twisted sense of humor never fails to amaze me. In less than twenty-four hours, I’ve seen all three of the guys I thought I’d left in my past. It’s like some fever dream I can’t wake up from.

Back at my apartment, I strip off my clothes and step into a steaming shower, letting the water wash away the remnants of last night. My mind spins as I scrub my skin raw, trying to cleanse myself of the confusion and chaos swirling inside me. How did everything get so tangled up so quickly?

After drying off, I wrap myself in a towel and stare at my reflection in the mirror. My eyes look wild, haunted by the memories that came rushing back with such force. Memories I thought I’d buried long ago.

“Pull it together, Bianca,” I mutter to my reflection. “You’ve got a job to do.”

I rummage through my closet for something professional but not too formal—something that says “I’m in control” even if I don’t believe it. A sleek black blazer over a crisp white blouse should do the trick. Paired with fitted pants and my favorite heels, it gives me a sense of armor against whatever comes next.

Once dressed, I grab my bag, steeling myself for round two with Alex and Liam. The drive to the property is a blur, my thoughts a jumbled mess of what-ifs and maybes.

I pull up to the property and the sight of it already gets my creative juices flowing. The structure stands tall, almost demanding attention, with palm trees swaying lazily in the breeze, setting that quintessential California vibe. I can already envision some of the design elements I want to incorporate—the mix of modern luxury with natural, earthy tones to make it chic and inviting.

---