Page 29 of Sexy Bad Daddy

Chapter Nine

ERIN

“Stupid cheesecake. Don’t ever ask me to make it for you again.”

“Hey, it’s not my fault your employer decided to come home two days earlier than he should have,” Danny says from his perch on my bed, where he’s flipping through a golf magazine he snagged from Garrett’s bathroom. Not the main bathroom in the hall, either, but the one in his bedroom. My friend has serious personal space issues. “That was the worst golf game he’s played in years.”

“I don’t know golf and even I could tell it was bad,” I admit.

“Yeah, he was pretty damn distracted. But anyway,” he says, switching gears so fast it takes me a few moments to catch on. “I told you I ended up not needing the cheesecake to close the deal with the hot waitress.”

“Not helping,” I say.

“Hey, at least my hook-up doesn’t have kids. At least, I don’t think she does.” He rolls his hand under his chin and places his elbow on his knee, like he’s emulating The Thinker. And then he shrugs and returns to devouring the magazine.

“This was only the second time in eight years. And, by the way, he’s not married.” I fold a red sweater and add it to the pile in my suitcase. “Not even dating anyone. He told me he hasn’t slept with anyone since I started working for him.”

“Yeah, I noticed there’s a lack of media fanfare about him lately. Well, except that one article, but that was all speculation. At least, it was until two days ago.”

Two days ago. When Garrett and I lost our minds and screwed our brains out on his kitchen counter. While I’ve regretted the decision a thousand times since, I’ve just as frequently wished for a repeat performance.

Except we can’t. Because I apparently have a problem sleeping with baby daddies and he doesn’t do relationships. Not exactly a match made in heaven, even if the sex made angels sing.

I haven’t seen him since that evening. We were supposed to talk the next day, but he was gone before I woke up. He left a note on the counter: “Abby and I are hanging out with my brother and the goat. Enjoy your day off. ~ G”

I headed to Danny’s house, where I regressed to my college days and proceeded to get wasted and passed out on the couch and didn’t wake up until the next morning. When I texted Garrett and apologized because I should have been home to take care of Abby, he responded that she’d spent the night at Paynter’s house and he was heading to the links, so I should relax and enjoy my day. I came back here to nurse my hangover while Danny took the waitress out for lunch and—despite the lack of boyfriend cheesecake—a little afternoon delight.

And now I’m packing my bags, getting ready to move in with my best friend. Again. I really need to break this cycle.

“Wait a minute. Two days ago,” I repeat, pausing mid-fold. “What are you talking about?”

He glances up from the magazine. “Oh, you didn’t see it? I thought you stalked your employer like I do. Here.” He pulls his phone from his pocket, taps the screen a few times, then flips it around to face me.

There’s a picture of Garrett, Abby, and me. He’s holding Abby while looking at me, and I’m reaching for his daughter while smiling up at him. I snatch the phone from Danny’s hand. “That was the charity event. Jesus, we look like—like…”

“A family?”

“Shut up. But yes. What the hell?” I scroll through the article, an editorial piece that’s all about Garrett’s personal life. All the holes in one he’s scored off the course and speculation about the hot young redhead on his arm, who, by the way, happens to be his daughter’s nanny.

“Thank God Fiona doesn’t know about my great fuck-up.” I drop the phone onto the bed and then sink down next to it. “Although this still sucks. He’s worked so hard to improve his image. This is going to blow all that effort to hell. Stupid Fiona.” Memories of the way she flirted with him, gave him that foot job, make me leap to my feet again. “He needs to sue her for libel.”

“Except what she’s written is true.”

“She doesn’t know that. No one does, except Garrett and I. And you. And considering all your dirty secrets I know, I don’t see you blabbing to anyone.”

“Well, that sucks, because Us Weekly pays a pretty penny for inside info like this, and I could use the rent money.”

“Not funny.” There’s a sound, the lock on the front door releasing, and Danny’s head whips up like someone’s just dangled a raw chicken leg in front of an alligator. “Down, boy.” I hurry out into the hall, nervous and excited all at the same time.

When I round the corner Garrett glances my way, and I come to a stuttering stop. He’s wearing a baseball cap, his dark hair curling out from under it, unruly enough to indicate he’s due for a cut. Glass-blue eyes catch and hold my gaze, but not before I take in the fitted pink golf shirt, lime-green pants, and the bulge below his belt. Only Garrett can rock such gaudy clothing and look damn sexy doing it.

“Where’s Abby?” I blurt.

He shoves his thumb over his shoulder and says, “With my parents. I was hoping we could…” His gaze hardens as he focuses on something over my left shoulder.

“Hey G-Man,” Danny says.

“Uh, he’s helping me pack,” I say.

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