Page 46 of The Boss and the Adoption Mess
“Rosie means the world to me. I’d do anything for that little girl — even pay someone extremely well, someone she instantlybonded with, just to improve my chances of being allowed to adopt her.”
“When will she be here?” I ask, eyeing the built-in closet and display cabinets along the wall, which hold minimalist stone sculptures.
The huge four-poster bed just begs you to dream. You could easily sink into the pile of pillows. A massive TV dominates the wall, and across from it are a couch, an armchair, and a table. A little slice of paradise…
I open the closet and my eyes go wide. “It’s a walk-in?” I can’t believe it. There are rows of empty shelves and space for handbags, shoes, jewelry, and clothes. “Damn!” I glance back at Gabriel, who’s smirking.
He comes closer and says, “The bigger room sadly doesn’t have a walk-in closet. I figured you’d prefer this one.”
“Good call…” I swallow and glance at my small suitcases. They won’t even fill ten percent of this space.
“I’m assuming Catherine will bring Rosie over in a day or two. She’s been in full-on party mode for weeks, and Rosie just gets in her way. That works in my favor, of course, since it gives me more evidence against her.”
“Evidence?”
“Yes. I hired an agency to monitor her. But it’s tricky. It’s not enough that she parties. A young mother is allowed to do that. Alcohol’s legal. Drugs, though, aren’t — and she prefers alcohol over drugs. That makes it harder to paint her as irresponsible. After all, she brings her daughter to me to look after her. That’s responsible.”
“I get it.”
This won’t be easy.
“You must be hungry. I cooked for both of us.”
“Yes. Honestly, I am.” I leave my luggage where it is and follow him back into the hallway.
“My bedroom’s on the other side. Rosie’s room is right in front. Each bedroom has its own bathroom; yours is just across here.” Just one room over. “You can get to your bathroom through your bedroom door or from the hallway.”
“What about cleaning staff? It’s spotless here…”
“I’ve gotHandy.They come when I’m working or traveling. You can book them at short notice. Super convenient. You won’t have to lift a finger for cleaning.”
Why am I still hesitating? I should just say yes already.
“Was there ever anyone else you considered?”
“No.” The answer comes instantly.
We walk back toward the stairs together. “I hadn’t planned on seeing you again after driving you home. But when you brought Rosie over and took such loving care of her, I knew you were the right one.”
“There are plenty of women who are good with kids,” I say as we head downstairs.
"Yes, that’s true. But you did it of your own free will. Not to win her or me over. I even think you wanted to annoy me a little at first."
"Maybe," I admit sheepishly—but then I grin, and he laughs.
"Let’s just give it a try. Maybe it’ll work out."
"Yeah. Maybe it really will."
That would be wonderful.
We reach the kitchen. The ground floor boasts impressively high ceilings. The kitchen is worthy of the head of EDL: a large cooking island, rows of cookbooks, fresh herbs, and spices. Everything is spotless and perfectly organized.
Unlike the entrance area and the upper floor including my room—the kitchen is mostly black with metallic accents.
"These smells absolutely incredible," I gush.
"May I serve you the appetizer?"
