Page 58 of Billionaire Temptations

He looked at his watch and then at me with a small smile. “Sure. I have time before I pick up Mr. and Mrs. Delaney.”

“Is that who you’re working for now?”

He took a seat on the stool at the counter and interlaced his fingers. “I work for a lot of people now. When they need rides, they call me directly. How are you truly doing, Emma?”

“I’m okay.” I set the coffee down in front of him. “Did you take Max to the airport that morning?”

He took a sip of his coffee and wrapped his hands around the mug. “Yes, I did, and believe me when I tell you that he was broken up. I’d never seen him like that before.”

I rolled my eyes. “I doubt that. He left a letter, Darren. A damn letter.”

“I know he did, and I told him that it was the wrong thing to do and that he should have spoken to you in person. But he’s Max Hamilton, and nobody tells him anything. You’re not telling him about the baby?”

“There’s no point now. I’m sure he’s living his dream in Chicago and running his successful new business. The last thing he needs is to be tied down with the responsibility of a kid.”

“What about your dream?”

“I’m living my dream one day at a time. I have great friends here who will help out, and I have my classes. Believe it or not, Darren, things are really good,” I lied. “Max sent me a text message last night, telling me that he missed me.”

“I see. Remember when I told you when I first met you that sometimes people need to fall on their own in order to learn a valuable life lesson?”

“Yeah.”

“I think Max fell the day he left that letter under your door.”

“I don’t know, but I can’t worry about him anymore. If he wanted to stay and be with me, he would have.”

He looked down at his coffee cup. “Do you know what you’re having?”

I smiled. “I’m having a girl.”

“Ah. She’ll be just as beautiful as her mother. I better go. I don’t want to pick up Mr. and Mrs. Delaney late and then have them not hire me again.”

“Thanks for the ride and the chat, Darren.” I gave him a hug.

“Take care of yourself and that baby girl of yours. You have my number. Call me if you need anything at all.”

“I will.”

Chapter Twenty-Three

TWO WEEKS LATER

The couplethat bought the bedroom furniture from my other room was at my door bright and early to pick it up. They were newlyweds and looking for a used bedroom set for their spare room. The husband didn’t really want it because he said it was for his mother-in-law when she came to visit. She wouldn't stay with them if they didn’t have another bed. His wife politely told him that he’d be sleeping on the couch. I couldn’t help but laugh. After they left, I stood in the middle of the empty room and looked around. The furniture was on back order and would be delivered within the week. This was the perfect time to get the walls painted. I decided to paint the wall with the window and the wall to the right a gray color that was called “Knitting Needles,” and the opposite wall where the crib would sit a custom mix of two pinks: Cradle Pink and Almost Pink. I purchased the most adorable pink damask curtains that hung to the floor, matching the damask pattern on the bumper pads for the crib. I spent the whole day Saturday painting the ceiling, which killed my back, and the three walls. The ceiling was finished. Tomorrow, I’d put the second coat of paint on the walls. So far, it looked great, and I was more than pleased. Ididn’t tell the girls that I was starting the nursery because this was a project I wanted to do on my own.

After eating breakfast,I sent a text message to Molly, asking her to stop by. Aubrey had plans for the day with Glenn, and Kara was going to New Jersey to meet Billy’s parents. Molly texted me back, saying that she’d be over after work because she was doing hair for a wedding party. I changed into my jean overalls, and my short-sleeve white shirt. I threw my hair up into a high ponytail and began putting the second coat of paint on the gray walls. After a couple of hours, all three walls were finished. I stood back and smiled as the sun filtered in through the blinds, brightening the room that was fit for a princess. There was a knock at the door, and I looked at my phone. Molly must have gotten off early. I ran to the door in excitement for her to see what I’d done so far.

“I can’t wait for you to see—” I started to say as I quickly opened the door.

I froze. My heart started pounding out of my chest, and I felt sick to my stomach when I saw Max standing there. He looked at me and then at my belly. His eyes narrowed, and he couldn’t speak.

“Max, what are you doing here?” A tear was starting to form.

“I— I came to see you.”

It was like time had stood still, and the Earth had stopped spinning.Shit. Shit. Shit.He was nervous. I’d never seen him like this before.

“Come in,” I said.

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