“It’s terrifying,” he corrected, but something that might have been a smile touched the corners of his mouth. “But watching her today, seeing how happy she was. I realized I’ve been so focused on protecting her from pain that I forgot she needs joy more than she needs safety.”
“I’m so proud of you,” I said—and for once, the words didn’t feel too big or too intimate. They felt true.
Something in his expression softened.
Then I was moving, standing up without deciding to, crossing the small space between us before my brain could catch up. Before I could stop myself, I crossed the space and wrapped my arms around him—instinct, joy, relief all tangled together. Pure happiness for what this meant for both of them.
He went completely still.
For half a second, maybe less, I felt how solid he was, how warm. Registered the clean scent of his cologne and the way myhead fit perfectly against his shoulder. Then reality crashed back in.
Oh god. What was I doing?
I pulled back quickly, my face burning hot enough to probably be visible from space. “Sorry. That was—God, that was inappropriate. I just… I’m really happy for you. For both of you.”
I took a step back, then another, putting distance between us like that would somehow undo what I’d just done. “I should go. It’s late and you probably have work and I’m—yeah. I’ll see you at Lily’s next session.”
I was already moving toward the door, grabbing for the handle.
“Sarah—”
“Really, I should go. Lily was great today, by the way. Okay, bye!”
I was out the door and down the hallway before he could finish whatever he’d been about to say, walking fast enough that I was practically running. Inside my head, every curse word I’d ever learned was playing on repeat.
Professional boundaries, Sarah. Those exist for a reason. You can’t just go around hugging emotionally repressed billionaires like it’s a normal Tuesday. You can’t just hug your boss because you’re happy about a parenting decision. That’s not how employment works.
The elevator doors opened, and I stepped inside, jabbing the button for the lobby hard.
And I was absolutely, definitely, completely not thinking about how solid he’d felt when I’d hugged him. Not registering the warmth of his body or the way his cologne had smelled up close.
Nope. Not thinking about any of that. Not the warmth, not the scent, not the way he’d gone still like he didn’t know what to do with being held.
Not even a little bit.
The elevator couldn’t move fast enough—and neither could I, apparently, when it came to running from my own feelings.
CHAPTER 15
Hector
Lily stoodin front of her mirror wearing the soft blue dress I’d bought her weeks ago. White tights and ballet shoes in hand.
She’d pulled her hair into a bun herself—slightly lopsided, a few dark strands escaping near her temples.
She turned and saw me watching. Her expression shifted quickly—hope I’d approve, fear I might change my mind.\
“You look beautiful,” I said, and my voice came out thick in my throat.
I cleared my throat, but it didn’t help.
Her face transformed. The worry melted away, replaced by a smile so bright it made my heart clench.
“Ready?” I asked, though I wasn’t sure I was.
She nodded with such enthusiasm her whole body moved with it, and she grabbed the small bag we’d packed with extra shoes and a water bottle. I followed her down the hallway, watching how she walked on her toes like she was already dancing, like her body couldn’t contain the excitement.
Sarah was waiting in the living room. When she saw Lily, her whole face lit up with unguarded delight—the kind that madeeverything in the room feel lighter. “Look at you! You’re going to be amazing today.”
