Page 52 of Baby For The Billionaire Silver Fox

“It was mostly me, but don’t go there. I don’t want to live in my past.”

“Then why are you?”

“What?”

“Going there and living in your past? If it’s so over, don’t revisit it now. Tell me, do you think Nicole is fantastic?”

I nodded yes.

Bennett threw up his arms. “Man, you’re getting a chance to start again with a fantastic woman. Give yourself permission to go after it.”

Bennett looked down at his desk and fiddled with his pen. “Life is short, and there are no promises. But if you have a chance at a happily ever after, even if you don’t know how long that will be, you should go for it.”

I choked up for him, thinking about how he lost the love of his life so early in their relationship. He’d buried her when Chloe was very young, and he’d spent his time since then building his business and being the best dad he knew how to be.

“You’re right,” I said quietly. “Thanks for putting it in perspective for me.”

“Now get out of here before I’m forced to bring out the chocolate so we can eat away our feelings.”

I laughed and gave him a bro hug.

“No chocolate. I’m trying to keep my girlish figure,” I said.

“You’d better get to the gym then. You’re looking a little flabby, old man.”

“On my way. I’m gonna run, lift weights, and make her love me.”

Bennett laughed. It was a quote from some skinny guy from Bennett’s high school days who was trying to get the prom queen’s attention. It had become one of our favorite absurd quotes. Right now, it seemed pretty spot on.

Satisfied with my workout, I ran a few errands on the way home. I was looking forward to a beer and a chance to relax while watching some mindless TV.

I’d decided to give Nicole some space again—for now. I would be there if she needed me, but I wouldn’t force myself on her. That might be the way to chip away at those walls. Show her I was a force for good and not there to bring her down.

When I finally arrived at my loft, I knew my relaxing evening would be shot to hell. Mandy’s car was in the lot. I took a moment to just breathe and straighten my backbone.

“Hi there,” Mandy chirped, having gotten out of her car when she saw me. She bent over to grab two shopping bags out of her backseat. She was wearing a short skirt that hiked up, almost exposing her panties as she bent. She straightened up and handed the bags to me. “If you don’t have plans for dinner, I thought I could cook?” she said sweetly.

“So you’ve learned to cook?” I asked drily.

She put her hand on her hip. “Yes, as a matter of fact, I have mastered a few dishes. How does spaghetti with garlic bread and salad sound?”

“Good,” I admitted. I was pretty hungry.

I opened a bottle of wine at Mandy’s insistence, and she drank a full glass as she cooked. She’d kicked her shoes off and was walking around barefoot, comfortable in my kitchen as if she had been here a thousand times. That bothered me. I didn’t want her to get used to being around here. She didn’t belong in my life anymore.

Still, I sensed something wasn’t right with Mandy. I knew I would figure it out eventually, if she didn’t tell me first. She was never good at keeping secrets, except for that really big one.

I thought of Nicole, and I held my beer can a little too tight, denting it. I didn’t know what my future held, but I realized I wanted Nicole to play a big part in it.

“Dinner is ready,” Mandy declared as she brought the spaghetti sauce and pasta to the table. “Grab the bread and the wine, would you?”

She’d set the table when I was changing. “I used your everyday dishes.”

Not like I had any other kind. I noted two candles on the table and shook my head.

“How do you dim these lights anyway?” she asked.

“They’re on a timer and don’t go down for a few more hours,” I fibbed.

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