“It’s fine. I’ll feed her. You guys talk.”
I reach for the diaper bag that he brought over and pull out a bottle.
“Do you need to use our bottle warmer?” Eva asks. It’s sitting on the counter by the sink.
“Yeah, that’d be great. I’ll be right back.”
By the time I’m back, Eli is sucking down her bottle in my arms. I take a seat and tune back into the conversation.
“June 26. Are you serious?” Eva squeals. “Our babies are three days apart?”
Tears are now streaming down her cheeks. I knew she was going to be over the moon after the shock wore off.
“I can’t believe it,” Roman adds. “How are you handling everything? What’s the plan with work, going forward?”
“Well, I’ve already hired a nanny. She starts Monday. Honestly, I still have no idea how I’m going to manage all of this. My work isn’t conducive to being a father, let alone a single father.”
“We’re here to help,” Eva says with her hand over her heart. “I’d love to help watch Eli. She’s my niece. I want to be there for both of you.”
I can see the emotion rise up in Walker, who is currently trying to hold it back. “Thanks. That means a lot.”
Once everything settles down and both babies are awake, they wind up putting them next to each other on the carpet. Eva is obsessively taking pictures and talking to both girls about all the fun they are going to have.
But my mind keeps slipping back to the dressing room. To the feel of his hand on me, burning my skin as he inched closer and closer to my breast. My skin breaks out into goose bumps as I envision the way he looked at me and the feel of his hard length pressing against my back.
I force myself to smile, to pretend everything is normal. But the second his eyes hit me from across the room, I know … nothing about us will ever be the same again.
Chapter Fourteen
Walker
It’s bright and early on Monday morning, and I’m waiting for Stewart and Henry to show up in the conference room for our meeting. I’m not sure what exactly is in store for me, but my legs are bouncing up and down with restless energy.
I just handed Eli over to a complete stranger, and now I’m expected to be able to focus on work like nothing happened. Marietta Monticelli—Mrs. M for short—seems like a great nanny, but that doesn’t change the fact that I don’t know anything about her.
It’s amazing how quickly you can become protective and attached to a child. I already know I’d do anything for Eli.
That scares the hell out of me.
Henry and Stewart walk into the room, closing the door behind them. I wait in silence as they both take a seat across from me.
Henry nods at me first. “Walker. Thank you for meeting with us.”
“No problem,” I reply, keeping it short.
“Well, we’re not going to beat around the bush here,” Stewart says casually, as if having these conversations is nothing to him. “We are struggling to find the right guy to give our Solentra Biotech case to. It’s no surprise there. You and Pierce are top-notch lawyers who do a lot for this firm. It doesn’t make our decision easy. So …” He looks over at Henry.
“So”—Henry picks up where he left off—“we want to hear each of you out. Tell us why you would be the best guy for this case.”
My throat tightens as I picture Eli’s soft, chunky fingers wrapped around mine this morning when I fed her a bottle. Affection pulls at my chest.
“Uh …” My voice cracks. I clear my throat. “This case …” I try to gather my thoughts as they look at me with blank faces. “This case will not be won easily. No pharmaceutical case is. It takes courage and stamina, and most importantly, it takes someone who can anticipate the opposition’s next move. I’ve proven those skills time and time again. If you pick me, I’ll give everything to this case, to the company.”
Lies. It all feels like bald-faced lies. Because as I think about all the hours it would take, I picture missing Eli’s firsts along with it.
I can’t keep selling lies. The words dry up, and all I can do is sink back in my chair, the weight of my silence heavier than any argument I could’ve made. Their eyes flick to each other, and in that instant, I know—I’ve already said enough and far too little, all at once.
I don’t miss the look Stewart gives Henry before he meets my eyes. “I see. Short and sweet. I think I can respect that. Thank you for your time, Walker. We’ll be in touch.”
