Page 53 of Billionaire Secret Daddy

“Jimmy and I are already a family.”

“We can be a bigger family,” Albin pointed out, his expression still soft and hopeful. “I know you care about me, Martha, and I appreciate you wanting to take a chance on me for Jimmy’s sake, but I want more.”

Silence stretched between us.

“You don’t have to give me an answer right now,” Albin added hastily. “But I do want you to imagine it. Think about all those memories you have with Jimmy and imagine how much better it would’ve been if I had been there. Think of all the family trips, the picnics, and the movies we could go to.”

“There’s more to parenting than outings and fun,” I whispered over the pounding of my heart. “It’s not that I don’t want to give you a chance…”

“We could live together,” Albin replied, lowering his voice to match mine. “Like a real family. Just picture it.”

My phone rang, piercing the tension in the air. With a sigh, I rummaged through my purse till I found out. Then I took it and switched off the alarm before setting it down on the table. Albin glanced between the phone and my face, his face back to being a blank mask.

“I’ll think about it,” I told him, shaking my head. “But I’ve got to go because I’ve got an interview, and I don’t want to be late.”

“You’re still looking for another job?”

I stood up and reached for my wallet. “I am, but I think this one should work out.”

“Regardless of what you decide, you’re still welcome to come and work for the company. The offer is still on the table.”

I reached for a wad of bills and counted them out. “I appreciate that.”

Albin stood up and smiled at me. “Don’t worry about this. Breakfast is on me. You don’t want to be late for your interview.”

I frowned and lowered my hand. “Next one is on me.”

“I’ll see you and Jimmy soon, Martha.”

Chapter 20

Albin

“Martha will be right out.” Anne went into the kitchen, opened up a cupboard, and took out a glass. She filled it up with water and held it up to her lips. From across the room, I knew she was still studying and watching me intently. Anne had been doing it since I arrived, and I didn’t mind.

She was, after all, Martha’s best friend and roommate.

And something of an Aunt to Jimmy.

I wanted her to like me, but she hadn’t said much since I arrived a few minutes ago. Since then, Jimmy had given me a quick wave before disappearing into his room. Martha, on the other hand, hadn’t appeared at all, and I had no idea if she was trying to think of excuses to cancel our family day or if she was as nervous as I was.

Over the past few hours, I had paced the entire length of my apartment, a rental I’d discovered through a buddy of mine. Having woken up at the crack of dawn and needing coffee and nervous energy to power me, I had no idea how I was supposed to get through the day. Initially, I’d been excited about spending a whole day getting to know my son.

Now that I was here, and Anne wouldn’t stop watching me, I was beginning to wonder if I’d come on too strong. Waiting two days to see my son had been a reasonable compromise, but it had left me feeling distracted and frustrated. Attempting to bury myself in work hadn’t helped. Even the news that the board wasn’t happy that I’d turned down the investment didn’t worry me as much as it should.

Yet, it was still in the back of my mind, as was the fact that I hadn’t given the board a good reason. Granted, after years together, they knew enough to trust my instincts and trust that if I refused an investment opportunity as profitable asGent’s, it was for a good reason.

If it were up to me, Banks would never be allowed near a publishing house again.

Or any kind of business where he could lord his power over women.

Unfortunately, since I had no proof, save for my own word and that of Martha’s, a former employee, there wasn’t much I could do. With a slight shake of my head, I pushed away all thoughts of Banks and the issue at hand to the back of my mind. Then I fixed my gaze on Anne, who was still sipping on her water and watching me.

“So, Martha tells me you’re a real estate agent.”

“I am.”

“Do you like your job?”

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