Page 90 of Unwrapping Romance

“Cora, I’d like you to meet my daughter, Elianna.”

“Excuse me?” She cocked her head.

“She’s living with me now. Ellie, this is Cora.”

“Hi.” She gave a small wave.

“Hello, young lady. Jack, what is going on?”

“I’ll explain everything to you later. The painters are coming today to paint her bedroom and the playroom. The movers will be here first to move out the furniture in the playroom. Also, Sierra is staying here until I can hire a nanny.”

“Wow. A lot has changed since I’ve been on vacation.”

“I’m also giving you a raise for the extra work around here.”

“I appreciate that. Thank you.”

I made Ellie some eggs and toast. When I walked into the living room, I saw Cora standing there with her hands on her hips, staring at the scattered toys.

“I’m sorry this is such a mess. I had to go out and buy her some toys since her mother left her with basically nothing.”

“It looks like you bought out the whole store.” She smirked.

“All of this is going up to the playroom when it’s finished,” I said.

“Sierra, let’s go. We can’t be late dropping Ellie off.”

“I have to run. We’ll talk later.”

We took Ellie to school, and drop-off was easier than I thought it would be. She happily told us goodbye and went with her teacher and all the other children. When we reached the office, Jack went into his while I got settled at my desk.

“Good morning.” Tristan smiled, setting a cup of hot coffee on my desk.

“Good morning. Thank you.” I smiled.

“So, how’s Mommy life going?” He smirked.

“It’s good. We went shopping yesterday and saw Santa.”

“Excuse me?” His brow arched.

“I know.” I put my hand up. “We stood in line for an hour and a half. It was brutal. But Jack made up for it by taking us to Bryant Park. He got us one of those heated igloos, and we had lunch and a peppermint mocha with a splash of peppermint schnapps.”

“I’m sorry. What?” He shook his head. “Jack Atlas stood in line for Santa and then took you to Bryant Park? What in the diggity hell is going on here?”

“We did it for Ellie.”

He stared at me momentarily and brought his finger to his lip.

“You’re in love with him.”

“Stop it, and keep your voice down,” I whispered.

“Tristan, I need you,” Daniel said. “Good morning, Sierra.”

“Morning, Daniel.”

“Sierra, I need you in my office,” Jack shouted.

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