Page 22 of Don't Call Me Daddy
To my utter shock, Ivy moves toward me and tucks her small hand in mine like she’s not going anywhere, and fuck if that doesn’t knock me right off my axis.
I don’t know how I got so lucky—or utterly fucked, depending on how you look at it— that she saved my ass, but I’m in way over my head here. And I’ll do whatever I need to do to keep from disappointing everyone in this room with the pathetic truth.
I’m a boring, workaholic coward, and I can’t even handle the job I have. How the hell did I think I was cut out to be CEO?
And soon enough, everyone else will realize it too.
“These things are always exacerbated by stress,” I hear Dr. Stone say, but all I can do is stare down at our conjoined hands as a multitude of emotions battle against each other in my chest.
“You’re going to be just fine. With a little rest and a few lifestyle changes, you’ll be feeling froggy in no time.” He gives me a wink, and I choke on my saliva at his slight insinuation.
The last thing I need in my head right now is to be thinking about feeling froggy around this dangerous woman, who is way too young and exciting for me.
“Thank you, Arthur.” Dad shakes his hand.
My mom pulls him into a hug. “Thank you so much for all you’ve done today. Will I see you and Evelyn tomorrow night at Bartholomew’s party?”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world. I’ll get started on those discharge orders now. Ivy, you keep him in line, okay? You’ve got to keep your eye on him at all times,” he says, gesturing from his eyes to me. “He’s been known to sneak away to work, even when he’s been advised against it.”
Ivy smiles and gives Dr. Stone a salute. “You got it, Doc.”
Roman goes into a story about the time I came to work with the flu and got the whole executive team sick, and my parents jump in, adding their own details. I watch Ivy wipe a tear from her eye in laughter, asking questions that only prompt my family to reveal more embarrassing stories.
She looks so natural, standing there with them, like she isn’t someone I found wandering alone in the woods less than twenty-four hours ago.
Not only is she not scared off by my mother’s inappropriate questions, but she also actually looks like she’s enjoying herself.
Where did this woman come from, and why am I finding myself growing more curious about her by the minute?
A reckless, negligent, idiotic idea starts to churn in my mind …
Maybe this could work?
It’s a dangerous plan, one that could backfire in my face if anyone found out … but it just might be worth a shot.
“Hey, uh … do you guys think you could give us a moment alone?”
“Sure, honey. Your dad and I still have some errands to run to get ready for the party anyway.” My mom kisses her two fingers and touches my cheek. “Feel better and please let me know when you’re home and settled.”
“We’ll talk more about lightening your workload tomorrow,” Dad warns, then whispers something to Ivy before leaving.
Roman, Luka, and Guy wave silent goodbyes, but as soon as they’re through the doorway, I hear them whooping and hollering like idiots over how hot their future sister-in-law is.
When it’s finally just the two of us, Ivy crosses her arms over her chest and tilts her head. “Care to explain why your family knew my name and thinks we’re engaged?”
Suddenly, I’m keenly aware that I’m in nothing but a hospital gown, which only makes this conversation more embarrassing. “I, uh … I might have told Roman a little white lie this morning that was completely blown out of proportion.” I point to the silver ring on her left hand. “But the engagement? That’s all on you.”
I push my hair back from my face, realizing how little I actually know about this woman. “I’m sorry … I … I didn’t think to ask you before, but … are you married? Because if you are, I didn’t mean to?—”
“No. Don’t worry about that. I’m as single as a Pringle. I don’t really do relationships, much less marriage.” Her smile falls a little, and she spins her ring again like she’s nervous. “It’s my sister’s ring. It only fits on this finger …” Her words trail off, and I don’t pry further even though that explanation seemed to bring up more questions than it answered.
The important thing is that she isn’t attached, so I won’t have some angry husband to worry about.
She props her hand on her hip, but doesn’t say anything, so I pick back up with my explanation.
“My mom was trying to set me up on this blind date … like she always does … and Rome was giving me a hard time about working too much … and I just found out my dad’s naming Carl as his replacement when he retires.”
“I missed the part where this has anything to do with me.”
