Page 47 of His Long-Lost Baby

“Thank you,” Billie says suddenly, breaking the silence.

I glance at her, surprised. “For what?”

“For… everything.” She gestures around us, indicating the beautiful scenery. “For bringing me here. For believing in me.”

I feel a sudden weight in my chest, but I push it away. “You don’t have to thank me. You’re doing great.”

“I believe you, and thank you.” She walks slowly, digging her toes into the sand as she goes.

“You really are one of the best employees I’ve ever had.”

A lump forms in my throat. She’s more than that. She’s the one thing I haven’t been able to get off my mind in weeks. The person who keeps me up late at night. The woman on my mind every morning.

Compared to her, everyone else seems lifeless.

It’s been years since I’ve even entertained the idea of a relationship, but with Billie it feels different. I could never be happy with just a few nights with her.

I know I would want more. I would need more.

She’s so close, and yet I can’t seem to find the courage to tell her how I feel. It’s complicated. There are rules against dating employees, and I don’t want to jeopardize our professional relationship. But then again, she’s not just any employee.

She’s one in a million.

“What?” she asks.

Shit. I must have been staring at her.

“Nothing.” I quickly look away and sip my coffee.

She narrows her eyes at me, sensing something is off. “Don’t give me that. You were thinking about something.”

I let out a nervous chuckle. “Just work stuff. You know how it is.”

Billie snorts. “I know you didn’t become the mogul you are without some amount of obsessiveness.” She shakes her head. “God, my parents would die of happiness if you were their son.”

I chuckle at her remark. “I doubt that,” I say. “And anyway, you’ve done well for yourself.”

“I have.” Her nose scrunches up. “What about you? Do your…” She trails off. “I’m sorry. We don’t need to talk about family if you don’t, uh…”

“No. It’s all right.” I smile, even though there’s a weight in my chest. “I never knew my parents. I grew up in the foster system and then in a group home.”

“What?” Her eyes widen in surprise. “I had no idea.”

I shrug. “It’s fine. It’s made me who I am today.”

“But it must have been difficult,” she says softly.

“It was. But I don’t let it define me.”

She’s quiet for a moment, and it feels like there’s a whole conversation sitting between us, just waiting to be given breath to.

“So you really understand,” she says. “About Quinn.”

I nod, my mind drifting back to the present. “I do. Quinn is lucky to have you as her mother.”

Billie smiles, and I feel my heart stir in my chest. “I hope so. Sometimes it feels like parenting is just a constant stream of questioning yourself.”

I chuckle. “Sometimes running a company feels the same way.”

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