“And yet, miraculously, I manage to move through the world without being mobbed.” He rolled his eyes. “Most people aren’t paying attention, Vi. They’re too wrapped up in their own lives.”
“You’re delusional if you think no one’s going to notice. It’s not just about you, Griffin. It’s about the baby.”
“So?”
“So?” My voice pitched higher. “So the second someone sees you holding a baby, it’s over. The internet is already obsessed with you. One blurry photo of this, and we won’t even make it back upstairs before the headlines start.”
“Then it’s a good thing the pool’s on the roof.”
I stared at him, seething. “Oh, right, the roof. Of course. Because paparazzi are famously incapable of using zoom lenses.”
His mouth twitched, but he didn’t take the bait. “It’s private.”
“It’s not private.” I threw up a hand. “It’s exclusive. That’s not the same thing. The only difference between this and a normal pool is that the people up there have better phones.”
He took another step to the bathroom. “And yet, still not worried.”
I gawked at him. “You’re not worried?”
“Nope.” He popped the p like this was the most relaxed conversation in the world. “I go unnoticed all the time.”
I laughed. “You’re six feet tall, obnoxiously good-looking, and one of the most famous drivers on the grid. You don’t go unnoticed. You just think you do because people are too intimidated to approach you.”
His grin was slow, teasing. “You think I’m obnoxiously good-looking?”
My teeth clenched. “Focus.”
His amusement didn’t waver. “We could stand here arguing for another hour, or we could go upstairs, enjoy the sun, and maybe, I don’t know, not spend another day trapped in this suite.”
I blew out a breath, fighting the urge to strangle him. “Can you take this seriously? We’re not handing the world your biggest secret on a silver platter.”
A smirk claimed his lips as something devious glinted in his eyes. “Not much of a secret if I don’t care who knows.”
My stomach dropped. What did that even mean and why did I think it spelled nothing but trouble for me?
“Relax, Carter.” He ran a soothing hand down Hazel’s back as she let out a tiny sigh. “She loves fresh air. And don’t you always say the sound of water helps her sleep?”
“That’s not the—” I pressed my fingers against my temple and bit back a growl of frustration. “This is a bad idea,” I muttered.
“Disagree.” He grabbed Hazel’s tiny swimsuit and tucked it under his arm. “Come on, Carter. Live a little.”
I gritted my teeth, resisting the urge to murder him. But the alternative was staying behind while he took my baby—his baby, technically, but still—out there alone.
And that wasn’t happening.
Not even in my worst nightmares.
Muttering to myself, I handed Hazel back to him. “If someone does recognize you?—”
“I’ll say I’m on a family holiday.” He grinned, adjusting Hazel against his chest. “Wouldn’t even be lying.”
“Don’t push it.”
The rooftop pool was mercifully quiet. A few guests lounged on deck chairs, most with books or phones, paying us no attention as we found two empty loungers in a secluded corner.
I slipped off my cover up and arranged my towel, hyper aware of Griffin’s presence beside me. The midday sun beat down, intense even through my sunglasses.
“Drink?” Griffin asked, nodding toward a waiter circulating with a tray.
