Page 90 of Who's Your Daddy
His lips kick up on one side, as if he’s pleasantly surprised that I returned.
I give him a small smile, though when Brian glares at my bare feet and the enormous sweatpants I’m wearing, the expression falls.
Dammit. He’s going to have so much to say about this.
I refuse to look like I’ve done anything wrong. All I did wassleep.This time at least.
“I thought Bubbles needed a walk,” I offer stupidly.
“Oh.” Cal blinks. “I didn’t realize fish neededexercise like that.” He shuffles across the room and takes the tank. “Look at that.” Smiling, he peers at me over the tank. “Seems it did him some good. He looks brighter.”
I bite back a wince as he turns and takes Bubbles to his room.
“Coffee?” Sully holds up the pot, looking far less annoyed by my presence than Brian.
In fact, he is almost smiling.
Could this out-of-character easiness have anything to do with Sloane? I’ll have to hound her for details later.
He fills a mug and slides it down the counter without another word.
Soaking in the warmth radiating from the ceramic, I sit at the table and take slow sips.
“So, it died.” Murphy tilts my way, his voice a whisper.
“Shh.” Although he’s been helping me change out the plants, we agreed this was our secret.
He shrugs. “If you want to hide a couple of extra fish in my room, we can do that.”
“Probably your best bet,” Brian grumbles. “While Cal might believe that fish need to be walked, everyone else will think you’re a loon if you mention that again.”
Murphy giggles, the sound making my heart swell. This kid never used to laugh, but day by day, he’s coming out of his shell.
“I like having girls over for breakfast,” he announces.
“Me too,” Cal agrees as he reappears.
Brian frowns. “Girls?”
“Yeah.” Murphy nods at me. “Like Aunt Sloaney and Lo. Do you have a girl, Uncle Brian?”
UncleBrian. This kid really is settling in.
Cal perks up, a bright smile overtaking him as he surveys his son.
Sully scoffs.“Not since Jess.”
“We won’t be having any more girls over for breakfast.” Brian’s tone is cutting,his words final.
I sigh, defeat threading through me. Even if there was a chance that Cal and I could be something, there’s too much at stake. The company, the relationship between these three guys, my job.
As much as I hate to admit it, it’s not worth the risk of jumping into a situation that won't last.
Chapter 31
Cal
“Lola,” I sing her name like I always do, dragging out the syllables, eager to put a smile on her pretty face.
