Page 27 of Better Daddy
Lo rubs her hand up and down Cal’s back, her eyes shifting from my brother to me to Sloane and back. “Of course you do, baby.”
I want to tell him to fuck off, but my conscience stops me, reminding me that he only discovered his son existed a matter of months ago, and the transition wasn’t easy on either of them. And as much as my brother irritates me, for as over-the-top as he is, his love for Murphy is pure. His plunge into fatherhood wasn’t all that graceful, but he proves to his little lad every day that he can be counted on.
“Okay,” I say with a sigh. “You take Murphy and I’ll take T.J.”
“No.” Sloane narrows her eyes, her expression shifting into a scowl I’ve become very, very familiar with these last several months. Actually, years now that I think about it. “Taking two cars to the city is ridiculous.”
“No, it’s not.”
“Why are you arguing this? Is it because you don’t think I’m capable of taking our son to school?” she almost growls.
“Of course not,” I rush out.
Fuck. I walked right into a trap.
“Because I’m pregnant, I’m no longer capable?” she asks, her face flushing an angry red. “Or have you always found me so incapable?”
“You are more than capable,” I choke out. “That’s what I meant.” When her expression doesn’t relax, panic overtakes me. “Of course I think you’re capable,” I go on. “Of course I don’t think you’re not capable.”
Lo and Cal watch us with matching expressions of confusion.
My wife still looks like she’s gearing up to send laser beams shooting from her eyes.
Cal clears his throat, forcing his expression from that ofWhat the fuck did he just say?to one of confidence. “I’ll take them in the mornings. You can pick Sloaney up after work.”
I know a losing fight whenI see one. “Fine.”
Since I only get one ride from the city with Sloane, I make the most of it. I show up fifteen minutes early with my wife’s favorite decaf caramel macchiato and take the elevator up to the twenty-second floor.
The stainless-steel box creeps up so slowly, I begin to think I could have made it there faster if I’d taken the stairs. By the time the doors open, my body is buzzing with anxious energy. All I want is to lay eyes on Sloane. Back in law school, there were days I could hardly make it through a class because every cell in my body was desperate to be in her presence.
Though it seems impossible now, that sensation subsided over the years. Somewhere along the way, I allowed myself to believe that I’d always have her. I took our time together for granted, so sure that I’d always start and end my day with her.
Living without her for the last several months has brought that anxious need to be caught in her orbit back in full force.
I nod at the people I pass as I stride toward Sloane’s office.Each one greets me with a friendly look. All except the good-looking wanker behind the desk outside her door.
“Look.” He smirks, his white teeth practically glinting in the fluorescent light. “It’s baby daddy. She might kill you for drinking coffee in front of her.”
Irritation rips up my spine. “I’m the husband, Caesar.”
He chuckles, unfazed. “We’ll see.”
There is no world in which I’ll allow any outcome that doesn’t involve Sloane and me together forever. Even if it means chaining her to me.
I scowl and loom over his desk, satisfied when my shadow falls over him. “Want to bet on it? Because I will win my wife back, and I won’t let anyone get in my way.”
The fucker doesn’t even bother to look intimidated. No, he straightens, grinning, and claps. “Ooh, baby daddy’s got grit. Didn’t see that coming.”
With a step back, I huff. “How does Sloane put up with you?”
“Sloane adores me. You, on the other hand.” He shakes his head. “I’ve heard some not-so-nice rumors.”
“I very much doubt that.” I sneer. “My wife has never liked an assistant.” Sloane went through more than a few while she worked for our firm. She may be my perfect match, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t have a flaw or two. And she’s never gotten along well with any of her assistants at Murphy and Machon all the years she worked for us.
“That’s because she never worked with me before. I am a magical unicorn of an assistant.”
I bark out a laugh, but the sound cuts off when I hear my wife’s voice.
