Page 37 of My Forbidden Billionaire

“Given the king’s ransom we all have to pay this school in order for our kids to be able to attend, you would think they might get a better costume for their mascot,” Jacob says.

“I suppose it’s maybe … a mascot in a more, um, ‘traditional’ style?”

“What tradition would that be? Does this school think that parrots just roam the skies and streets of Boston freely?” Jacob jokes, and I giggle.

He looks at me, and his eyes are so tender and inviting that I almost lose my head. I can feel myself shifting closer and closer to him as we sit on the cold bleacher seats and with each passing minute, I realize there’s absolutely nothing I can do to stop the energy developing between us.

“Oh! This is a disgrace!” Ms. Abadie yells, grabbing our attention once more. “You must take your duties as our beloved mascot seriously!” She scolds the student in the mascot costume, who happens to be a six-foot-four boy who plays for the school rugby team and is roughly the size of a festival port-a-potty. Next to him, Ms. Abadie looks like a poodle. Still, she calls him a child and has been manhandling him for the last half-hour.

“I’m sure she thinks everything is a disgrace,” Jacob whispers in my ear.

I cackle because he’s not wrong.

“Ms. Abadie, maybe if you would just leave me alone for a little while, I’ll lay an egg!” The teenager in the parrot outfit declares as Ms. Abadie gasps in horror, turning a deep shade of purple.

Jacob and I burst out laughing, unable to contain ourselves any longer at the absurdity of it all. As I wipe the tears from my eyes, I notice Ms. Abadie staring at us as if we’re naughty children in her classroom and I can see a question forming on her face. I pull myself away from Jacob and put as much distance as I can between us.

Still, she watches us like a hawk.

Even though my conscience is guilt-free, I still feel a bit frightened.

I wish I could shake off this feeling, but an idea keeps poking at me.

Ms. Abadie may be catching on…

But before I can dwell on that thought any longer, it’s Clem’s turn to bat. We watch in awe as she skillfully swings the cricket bat and hits the ball, sending it soaring towards the edge of the field. This little girl has a fierce determination and it’s clear she takes after her father in more ways than one.

The crowd erupts into cheers as she runs, determined to score. Jacob and I jump up in unison, cheering alongside the other parents in the stand as Clem scores four runs—the wind in her hair and a wide smile on her face. We wave to her to let the little girl know that we’re watching and encouraging her.

I can’t help but feel a sense of pride for her, even though I’m just a bystander. Clem is truly something special, she’s completely captured my imagination and heart.

Jacob and I high-five each other, giddy with excitement before exchanging a knowing smile, the kind that says we’re both thinking the same thing.

Maybe it’s the adrenaline from the game, or maybe it’s something else entirely, but I don’t want this night to end.

How wonderful would it be if this was my life? My life with an extraordinary man, a lovely little daughter, and so much love shared between the three of us that we could barely contain it?

Chapter Fourteen

Jacob

“Did you see me score out there?” Clem asks, bouncing up and down with excitement.

“You bet I did!” I ruffle her hair affectionately. “You played an outstanding game, Clem! I’m so proud of you!”

“Thanks, Daddy!” My daughter beams up at me, her eyes shining with happiness. “And thank you, Miss Andrews, for coming to watch me play!”

“Of course, I wouldn’t have missed it!” She smiles warmly at Clem and my heart feels like it could burst out of my chest. It’s hard to put into words how nice today was—to be able to share in the excitement of Clem’s cricket match with a woman who deeply cares for her.

I’ve longed for a day like today…

“Daddy, do you mind if I have a sleepover at Emily’s house tonight? Her mom is planning to bake cupcakes to celebrate our big win. Brooke and Madeline will be there too.”

“A … sleepover?” Clem has never asked to sleep over at a friend’s house before, so I’m a bit taken aback by her question.

“Please, Daddy? You know how much I love cupcakes...” she pleads while I do my best to grapple with the fact that she’s old enough to have her first sleepover.

She’s growing up and it’s about time for her to start experiencing new things.

---