God, I would give anything to hear her laugh like that every day.

“Then am I supposed to be the baby mama?” she quipped, leaning back in her seat. She crossed her legs, and he felt a jolt as her calf brushed against his.

Don’t look at her legs. Do not look at her damn legs.

He looked at her legs and gulped.

What did she ask me again? Oh, right.

“Um… Yes, you… You can be the mama baby—uh, the baby mama!” Angelo stammered, cursing his stupid dick for hijacking his brain at that moment. He felt flustered, like a teenage boy who had just stumbled upon a nudie magazine for the first time. Ridiculous.

Allison looked like the cat that got the cream, and suddenly he didn’t really care that he’d just made a fool of himself in front of this gorgeous woman.

All he cared about was seeing that fire again.

“So, I think we should get to know each other a bit better,” she said, her tone playful. “I only know your name and that you’re the CEO of Taylor Co. I should know more about my baby daddy!”

She shot him a mischievous grin, the kind that hinted she was just getting started.

Angelo chuckled, raising an eyebrow. “Well, what do you want to know? My favorite color? My secret recipe for the perfect avocado toast?” He leaned in mock-seriously, as if about to share the secrets of the universe.

Allison rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide her smile. “Sure, let’s start with the avocado toast. That’s crucial information.”

He smirked, enjoying the banter. “Okay, fine. It’s all about the perfect ripeness of the avocado and a pinch of salt. I’m basically a culinary genius.”

“Right,” she said, folding her arms and leaning back with an amused expression. “And what else? Any hidden talents? Can you juggle or do a backflip?”

Angelo chuckled. “I can juggle my responsibilities as CEO while trying not to trip over my own ego. Does that count?”

“Only if it comes with a side of humility,” she shot back, a teasing sparkle in her eye.

Despite the playful sparring, he felt a growing sense of connection. Maybe she had a point—they really did need to get familiar with each other.

Not in that sense you fucking idiot. Just stay down.

Angelo was having a conversation with his cock once again. He shook his head, wondering if he’d lost his mind. Allison’s next questions broke him out of his reverie.

“Where are you from? And what’s your favorite color?” Her face now looked more open. Relaxed. Encouraging.

Angelo cleared his throat and sat straight, turning slightly to face her.

“I’m half and half. My father is American, my mother is Greek. I have a sister who’s eight years younger than me. I just moved here from Athens over a month ago and my favorite color is green.”Jade green.He didn’t specify.“Your turn.”

He was eager to hear more about Allison. About the woman who, since finding her again, occupied his every thought, his every dream, his every fantasy.

“Well… We’ll have to revisit your answer after because I have questions,” she began, raising an eyebrow as if to say ‘you got a problem with that?’ At his nod of agreement she continued. “My parents are both from Washington. I have three older brothers that are absolute pains in my ass. I’ve been working for myfather for almost four years now and my favorite color is pink. Not that dark pink that looks like magenta. Baby pink.”

She emphasized the specific shade as if she’d practiced that very sentence her whole life. And he, too, had questions. But before he could ask, she started with hers.

“I need to know more about this half and half thing. And I have a feeling your maternal last name would beinteresting.” She leaned into him, like they were sharing a secret. He felt like she’d keep all his secrets if he asked.

“My mom was an exchange student from Greece. My dad was a waiter at the time,” Angelo began, his tone casual but reflective. “One day, she went out for coffee at the café where my dad worked. They met, they fell in love, and before long, my mom moved to America so they could get married and start a family.”

Allison listened intently, her eyes fixed on him. Angelo continued, “A few years later, I came along. Eight years after that, my sister Katerina was born. And then, they got divorced.”

He shrugged, trying to downplay the impact of his words. “It was for the best, though. Their relationship had been dead long before I came along.”

Allison tilted her head, curiosity in her gaze. “That’s quite the story. Must have been tough on you and Katerina, though.”