Page 56 of Unwrapping Romance

“She’s only four, Jack. You still have so much time to make things right with her. She won’t remember you not being around for the first few years of her life. These coming years are what is important. Does your father know about Ellie?”

“No. He has no idea she exists, and I don’t even feel bad about it. He was a shit father and doesn’t have the right to know about her.”

I lifted my head from his shoulder, sat, and faced him. “I want you to erase any doubt that you can’t be the father to Ellie that she needs. You’re notyourfather.”

He brought his hand up and softly stroked my cheek as our eyes stared into each other.

“Holiday hell is about to get a lot more hellish.” A smirk crossed his lips.

“I may have something to help get us through it. Stay here. I’ll be right back.”

I ran down to my room, grabbed the box of goodies I bought at Saks, and took it back up to Jack’s bedroom.

“I bought you this today.” I smiled.

“You mean I bought it?” His brow arched.

“Who cares who bought it? It’s a necessity.”

“What is this?” His brows furrowed. “It looks like an advent calendar.”

“It is. Turn it over and read the back.”

Jack turned the box over and read it. “Are you serious? A whiskey advent calendar?”

“Yep. Twenty-four small bottles of different whiskey. One daily bottle to consume to help us get through the holidays.”

“They’re only 30ml.” He smirked.

“No worries. You bought me one too.”

He chuckled. “Thank you. I love this. It sounds like you had fun shopping with Ellie in holiday hell.”

“Fun and holiday hell shouldn’t be used in the same sentence. I’m sorry about dinner tonight.” I looked down.

He set the box on the bed and held out his arms. “Come here.” I snuggled against him and wrapped my arm around his waist. “There’s nothing to be sorry for. I understand now why you felt we needed to stay home, and you were right.” His lips pressed against the top of my head. “Thank you for sticking around and helping me out with her.”

“Like I had a choice?” A smirk crossed my lips as I lifted my head and looked at him. “My job was on the line.”

“Maybe I was a little harsh.”

“A little harsh?” I laughed.

“Bring those beautiful lips up here.” The corner of his mouth flicked. “In fact, bring your entire body up here.”

Straddling him, I leaned over, and our lips meshed while his hands ran up and down my back. Pulling my shirt over my head, I tossed it over the side of the bed.

My eyes flew open at the sun peeking in through the curtains. Grabbing my phone from the nightstand, it was eight a.m.

“Jack, get up! It’s eight o’clock!” I spoke in a panic.

His eyes opened, and a smile crossed his lips. “Good morning. I can’t remember the last time I slept until eight.”

“We’re supposed to be at the office!” I swung my legs over the bed and planted my feet on the floor.

“Relax.” His hand gripped my shoulder, and he started massaging it. “We’re not going into the office until after our meeting with the school.”

“You couldn’t tell me? When did you decide that?”

---