Page 37 of Accidental Baby Daddy

It seemed straightforward, but I knew my lawyer,Andrew Taylor, would want to have a look at it before I signed anything. I also knew he’d try to talk me out of it. He kept saying that bars were money pits, but I begged to differ. I’d seen the markup on shots of liquor and wholesale prices, and I thought it would be a great secondary income.

Besides, if it didn't work out, I was only out a couple million. I had plenty more in various bonds, properties, and in my bank account. I’d done well for myself, so why shouldn’t I indulge this little bar-owning fantasy?

I asked Theresa to email me the contract so I could forward it to my attorney.

“Clayton is okay with this?”

“As long as you go by his rules and don’t fire any of his staff.”

“Of course.”

She shrugged. “Then he’s good to go.”

“Where is he, anyway?”

Theresa grinned. “He should be packing.”

“Packing?”

“We’re going to the Bahamas.”

I couldn’t help but grin. If anyone deserved it, it was them.

Once I received notification from Andrew that the contract was legit and good to sign, I called a mobile notary, and by the time lunch rolled around, I was the proud owner of The Pig in the Poke.

Theresa shook my hand.

“Say hello to your mother for me.”

I nodded, knowing I’d do exactly that. I’d talked to Mom about buying the bar, and she thought it would be a good investment. Besides, I hadn’t seen her at all since Lex came back into my life. She knew what happened all those years ago. She’d understand.

Trent was with her so I might as well pick him up. This was all the work I was going to do today anyway; everything else would be handled by my assistant and the board. It was nice to be able to make my own hours, although I usually worked too much for comfort.

Maybe that could change now that I had the bar. I could work there, instead, spend some time away from the business I’d worked so hard to build. It could help me avoid burnout, for sure.

I didn’t buy a bar just to employ Lexie. Did I?

When I arrived at Mom’s, I expected Trent to come running out when he saw my car pull up, but he didn’t. Mom came to the door, smiling.

“He’s in the backyard with the neighbor boy. They’re skipping rocks out at the creek.”

I smiled. That sounded like exactly what I wanted Trent to be doing all summer. I wanted him to make friends, branch out, stop being so attached to me. It wasn’t that I didn’t love his sweetness and snuggles, but I didn’t want him to be lonely when school started back up.

He’d had a hard time adjusting to preschool, and I worried that kindergarten would be even worse.

“How old is the neighbor boy?” I asked, and Mom shrugged.

“Six, seven. He’s about the same size as Trent, though.”

“He’s a big kid.”

“Just like you always were,” she said, beaming at me. She looked tired.

“Mom, can we talk?” I asked quietly. She raised an eyebrow, her brown eyes widening.

“Of course, Oliver. Anytime.”

“I’ll make us some coffee,” I suggested.

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