Page 47 of Mad Love

“Would you feel that you’re missing out on something you love if you do that?”

“I don’t love my job, but it was a necessity.”

“If you’re open to this, we should definitely discuss it more. Whenever you want to, I’m in.” I laugh when Caleb lets out a loud burp. “You’re a great icebreaker, aren’t you?” I kiss his temple.

“I’m in too,” she says.

So, over the next hour, we come to an agreement. I’ll pay her a small stipend and all of her expenses. She’ll take care of Caleb while I’m at work and they’ll travel with me some too. We haven’t come to a conclusion about where she’ll live yet, but I assure her I’m not rushing her out of here.

“I sound like a full-time nanny,” she says, smiling.

“More like a work wife without the benefits…or maybewithbenefits, depending on how you look at it.” I laugh awkwardly. “Taking care of things without having to put out.” I groan. “I’ll shut up now. I’ve made this awkward.”

Thankfully, she laughs too. “Yes, you have.”

Her cheeks are rosier than ever when I look at her again. Her full lips are pink and distracting and her eyes are bright and playful. A pang of desire hits me hard. I feel it all over. My head, my heart, my dick—my entire being feels like it’s reaching out for her.

No, this cannot happen, I tell myself.I cannot be attracted to her. I cannot fall for her. I absolutely cannot.

But when her lips lift into a smile meant just for me, I know it’s already happening.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

ARE YOU SERIOUS RIGHT NOW

SADIE

We spend the rest of the day clearing out the room that we choose for Caleb. It’s upstairs between the massive room I put my things into and Weston’s. When Weston put out the word among his friends and family that he had new furniture that he doesn’t need anymore, he had several offers to take it off of his hands within the hour.

Henley’s daughter Cassidy wants the furniture and they come over to pick it up. Cassidy tries to play it cool, but it’s obvious she has a crush on Weston and that she’s beside herself to own something that belonged to him. When Henley tries to pay Weston for it, Weston refuses, and I think about how amazing that must feel to be able to just give things away like that.

Before they leave, Henley says, “Hey, you got that notebook?”

A smile breaks out across Weston’s face. I think Cassidy and I both stop breathing.

“Yes, I do,” he says. “It’s gold, man.”

Henley laughs. “Grab it for me and I’ll bring it to our meeting tomorrow.”

“Oh, I forgot I’m actually invited now.” Weston laughs. “Where are you meeting?”

“Luminary…”

Weston looks at me and pauses. “I’ll wait and see how it’s going here. Unless you’d like to see my favorite coffee shop?” he asks me.

I nod. “I could do that. I wouldn’t have to be part of the meeting…Caleb and I would get our own table.” My eyebrows lift. “Oh, is this a Single Dad Players meeting?”

“Single Dad Players?” Cassidy says, her eyes flying to her dad.

I want to laugh because it’s said in the typicalare you serious right nowteenager voice.

“It’s coffee with the guys,” Henley says.

He shoots me a look that makes me feel like I’m in trouble, but for some reason, I still just want to laugh. I can only imagine what Rhodes would be saying right now.

“We’ll be there.” Weston grins at me like we’re in on the joke together.

Henley grumbles and Weston helps them load everything in a moving truck. Another huge bonus of being filthy rich: access to whatever you need at the snap of a finger. This would’ve taken me rounding up at least three friends’ vehicles tomaybeget the furniture to my place safely.

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