Page 67 of My Cruel Billionaire

“Does this mean I can call Daddy Daddy now?”

My mouth gaped open. There was no way he could have known… I had been so careful to keep it from him.

He knew what he knew, I supposed. Damon ran over and hugged both of our legs, and my heart soared.

“I love you both,” Michael said.

“I love you, too.”

He kissed me again, and then the three of us went out for ice cream.

Epilogue

Jenna

The clink of champagne glasses carried above the general murmur of restaurant din as I strode into Viviani’s Italian Restaurant. A string quartet played a lively but mild concerto somewhere I could not see. My mind drifted back to the last time I’d been in this very same restaurant.

What a disaster that had been. Worst date ever, but then again, it did sort of bring Michael and I back together...or did it? He hadn’t even recognized me at the time.

This time was quite a bit different. It had been some six months since the merger had been signed, sealed, and delivered. When I came into the restaurant this time, I was not coming in to meet with some lame guy I’d swiped right on.

The hostess met me at the door, beaming a smile.

“Welcome back, ma'am. I assume you’re here to meet up with your date?”

“Oh yes,” I said. “He’s very handsome, about three and a half feet tall, and his shoelaces are probably untied. Do you know of anyone like that?”

A playful smile spread across her impish cheeks.

“Why, yes, I know just the man. You’re right, he’s a real heartbreaker. He drew a picture of his father handing me a big tip…oh…”

Her hand flew up in front of her mouth with a quick gasp.

“I’m so sorry, I should not have assumed that was his father. Ah, is that his father?”

I smiled and let her off the hook.

“Yes, that is his father.”

“I knew it. I mean, sometimes you can just tell, you know?” The hostess leaned in close to me and whispered in a conspiratorial tone. “Your husband thinks the world of that kid, just so you know.”

I smiled, even though it sort of stung that she assumed he was my husband. I didn’t correct her, though. The truth was, it sure felt like Michael, Damon, and I were a family. I kept telling myself that it didn’t bother me that we hadn’t made it official as of yet.

Except that maybe it kind of did make me feel bad on some level. I hadn’t brought it up yet, but it sure would have gotten my mother off of my back if you catch my meaning.

The hostess led me up to the VIP section, that raised gazebo-like structure that looked down on the rest of the restaurant lobby. I heard a giggle as I came up the steps. The hostess and I were greeted by the sight of Michael and Damon both trying to see who could balance a spoon on their noses the longest.

Michael saw us and flinched, and the spoon clattered to the table.

“Ha, I win!” Damon said. Then his eyes darted to me. “Mommy!”

He ran over and hugged my legs. The hostess left us while Michael pulled my chair out for me.

“Here you are, my sweet,” he said. He stole a kiss as I settled into my chair.

“Have you guys ordered yet?” I asked as I spread my napkin out on my lap.

“No, we haven’t been here very long ourselves,” Michael said. “I picked him up from karate class not so long ago. He wanted to wear his Gi to the restaurant but I told him you wouldn’t like that very much.

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