Page 89 of Who's Your Daddy
Disappointment flashes in those deep blue eyes, but it’s gone just as quickly. He clears his throat and forces a smile.
“So finish your story.” Fork in hand again, he takes a bite of his own steak. “And then we can watchThe Proposal.”
That’s my go-to movie, when I need a pick-me-up or when I just want to chill. The assistant who hates his boss, but falls for her anyway.
Watching a movie with him is dangerous territory. Watchingthatmovie with him? God, it’s such a bad idea.
“Come on,” he says when I hesitate, his tone challenging. “You can’t say no to Andrew and Margaret.”
He’s right, I can’t. So that’s how I end up sitting a little too close to him on the sofa, laughing at the scene where Margaret runs around the yard with a white fluff ball offering it to a bird in exchange for her phone.
I do not remember falling asleep or being moved, but I wake up before six in Cal’s bed.
Alone.
At first, I don’t know where I am, but when I see the electric blue fish floating sideways at the top of the small tank on the dresser, it all comes back to me.
Shit. He killed the fish. At least I was expecting it. With the number of plants I’ve replaced in the last few weeks, I had a feeling this would happen. So I stopped by the pet store and purchased a few Bubbles just in case. Unfortunately, they’re all at my apartment.
I sit up and scan the room. With a sigh, I realize I have no choice but to take the entire tank with me. Cal will be crushed if he comes in and discovers that Bubbles has died. And if that happens, he’ll spiral. He’ll doubt his ability to take care of Murphy, despite what a great dad he is.
And that won’t do because Murphy needs him.
I slip out of bed, only then noticing the sweatpants I don’t remember putting on. The way-too-big sweatpants that slip down my hips. I roll them a few times, biting back the smile that hits me at the thought of wearing something of Cal’s. I’m not supposed to like these things, but I can’t seem to help it.
As I unplug the light and filter from the small tank, I consider my options. In the end, the best choice is to borrow Cal’s car. Lugging this tank the half mile to my apartment is out of the question.
Since it’s early, I make it out of the apartment without running into a soul. I’m not so lucky coming back in.
I’ve just unbuckled the tank from the passenger seat when the back door opens and Madame E sashays out.
Her entire face glows as she smiles at me. “I see ten more of these in your future.”
Shoulder slumping, I huff a breath. “I only got five.”
“In that case, you’ll need to make a few more trips to PetSmart,” she says as she passes me.
“Hey, Madame E,” I call.
With her driver’s door open, she pauses and turns.
“Stop telling Cal to take on more responsibility. One kid is enough.”
She shakes her head. “I only see what I see.”
I huff. “Stop seeing things.”
Madame E may think that Cal can handle more living things, but I’m not sure I can.
Without another word, she climbs into a bright green Mini Cooper and pulls out of the small lot.
Anxious to get the tank set back up without incident, I hurry inside and up the stairs. Before I even reach the top steps, I hear the guys' voices. Dammit. It’s almost seven. Of course they’re all up.
I’ve already committed to this though so I push the door open and feign nonchalance.
At the creak of the hinges, three sets of blue eyes and one golden pair turn my way.
“Morning.” I chirp, my own traitorous eyes straying to Cal.
