Page 5 of Baby For My Ex's Brother

Chris nods and reaches for my hand, but I tuck both my hands into the folds of the coat Liam draped over my shoulders. It's a barrier, a shield against the confusion that threatens to overwhelm me. As we walk back into the house, the sound of our footsteps muffled by the freshly fallen snow, I can't help but feel that something significant has shifted within me.

The dinner table feels like a battlefield as I resume my place, the feel of Liam's lips etched into my memory with permanent ink. My heart still races and every glance towards him sends another jolt through me.

When we leave for the night, he takes my hand in a handshake that’s a little more than friendly—and he tells me I have a bright future ahead of me.

And I can’t help but wonder if that future is with Chris… or if it’s with the man I didn’t even know existed until tonight.

Chapter two

Shiloh

There's a chill inthe lobby that has nothing to do with the air conditioning.

I'm sitting on one of those modern couches that look way more comfortable than they are, scrolling mindlessly through my phone, waiting for Jackie Wyndham to fetch me.

It's my first day as an attorney’s personal assistant—not a job I ever wanted, but the one I ended up with.

Yeah… life isn’t exactly going according to plan.

My thumb hovers over the screen, ready to lock it and shove it into my purse when it buzzes. Chris's name flashes across the top, and I can't help the way my stomach drops. I open the message, only to see yet another incredibly cruel screed from my toxic ex.

Shiloh, we need to talk about your stuff. You can't keep crashing in my space. Why don't you just go back to your parent's place?

I exhale slowly, a bitter laugh stuck in my throat. As if moving back in with my folks is so simple, as if I haven't crunched thenumbers a hundred times and come up short. Four younger siblings and a mountain of student loan debt don't exactly scream 'move back home.'

Which is why I am now said toxic ex’s roommate.

Not great.

"Shiloh?" A voice slices through my spiraling thoughts.

I look up to see Jackie Wyndham approaching me with a friendly smile that doesn't quite reach her eyes. She seems to be in her late thirties, poised and professional in a crisp blazer that probably costs more than my entire wardrobe.

She’s the one who hired me and who will be my direct supervisor, and she seems nice enough, especially compared to the lawyers here.

"Hi," I say, slipping my phone into my purse and standing up with a smile. "Thank you so much for the opportunity.”

"I’m sure you’ll be great. Ready to start your day?" Jackie extends her hand, and I shake it, feeling the firmness of her grip.

"Absolutely," I reply.

"Great. Let's walk and talk." Jackie gestures toward the hallway leading to the inner offices. "As Mr. Nolan's personal assistant, your primary responsibilities will include managing his schedule, fielding calls, and handling correspondences. He's particular about how things are done, so I'll give you a rundown of his preferences."

‘Particular’ sounds like a polite euphemism for ‘pain in the ass.’ But I nod, willing myself to stay focused on what she's saying rather than the knot of anxiety Chris's message has left in my chest.

"Additionally, you'll be organizing travel arrangements, preparing meeting materials, and ensuring confidentiality at all times," Jackie continues as we navigate through the maze of cubicles and sleek glass offices. "Mr. Nolan values discretion above all else."

"Understood," I say.

Discretion I can do—keeping secrets is practically my middle name after months of pretending everything's fine while my relationship with Chris imploded.

We stop outside an imposing door with 'Liam Nolan' etched on the frosted glass. My pulse quickens; it's one thing to hear about your new boss and another to meet him.

And that name… it can’t be Chris’s brother—this guy’s last name isn’t Walton, after all—but I’ve never forgotten about a certain Liam who kissed me silly one night two years ago.

"Any questions before we go in?" Jackie asks.

"Uh, nope. All good," I stammer, trying to sound more confident than I feel. Jackie gives me a reassuring smile.

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