Page 16 of Surprise Baby for Mr. Fischer
Tai ducked her head as she rummaged around in her big black tote and pulled out a stack of papers. “Here are the designers I recommend you work with when you redecorate. I’ve vetted them, and both are discreet.” Tai handed me the top few pages.
I glanced at them. “Did you also get the info about Bits and Bobs?” It had taken Tai’s detective skills and the little knowledge I had about Harper to figure out which shop belonged to her family.
Tai’s eyebrows drew together. I knew she wondered about my insistence that I use them, but she was too much of a professional to ask probing questions. “Yes, I did. My friend’s brother worked for them on deliveries a few times when they were short-staffed. He said they were good people.”
“Excellent. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” She smiled at me. “I’m going to get out of your hair, so you can enjoy your time. I can let myself out. If you need anything, let me know.”
We said our goodbyes, and she left me on my own to explore.
I moved from room to room, mentally cataloguing furniture and tchotchkes. As much as I wanted to rush to Bits and Bobs Restoration, it was getting late. Instead, I put the oven on to heat up a frozen pizza. A few pieces looked like they could be antiques, but I had no idea if they’d be worth anything to Bits and Bobs. I’d snap a few pictures to show them tomorrow.
My mind wandered to Harper. Her face exploded across my mind like a fast-moving movie reel—the smile that crossed her lips when she looked at me, the way her mouth parted when I’d stroke a particularly sensitive spot, and how her breath caught a moment before she orgasmed. We’d spent two perfect days together in and out of bed.
The time out of bed was what had surprised me. We had the same sense of humor and liked a lot of the same things. We bonded over our love of cold pizza, Star Wars, and J.R.R. Tolkien. She had a sharp wit and didn’t hesitate to challenge me on topics we disagreed on.
My favorite part was that she treated me as if I was anyone else, and because of that, I was able to let my guard down around her.
I hoped she would be working tomorrow. I was curious to see if she remembered me as well as I remembered her.
CHAPTER SIX
Harper
Ishivered as the coldfall wind whipped around me and wished I’d put on my coat. December had just begun and winter was fast approaching. After the end of my shift, I headed out the door of Bits and Bobs to my separate workspace. My smile grew wider with each step I took. I felt most at home in my little shop away from the store. Here, I could work on the antiques I preferred without interruption.
Nausea rolled through me, and my smile dimmed. Thankfully, I stocked my small fridge with plenty of ginger ale. Those carbonated cans of fizzy goodness had been my saving grace these past few months since I found out I was pregnant.
I gently rubbed my belly. It was just my luck to throw my inhibitions to the wind for a weekend with a guy I barely knew and walk away with more than memories of incredible sex. Once I’d gotten used to the idea, I realized I already loved the baby. While I was scared to raise a child alone, knowing I had the support of my family helped.
There were many times I wished I hadn't been such a fool. Who else besides me turns down an insanely attractive, smart, and sweet guy's offer to stay in touch? No one. My fear was that when we got back to our real lives, his view of the sexy, confident woman he'd shared an earth-shattering weekend with would change. He'd wonder what he'd seen in me in the first place.
Walking away first protected me from that hurt.
Footsteps sounded from the other side of the slightly-open door. Had I made an appointment and forgotten? Or had my sisters scheduled me for a consultation and forgotten to tell me? I’d been so tired. My memory failed me often. I had a pretty good reason, but still, it was annoying.
