“We use ours too much, but it saves time.” She wiped her hands on the front of her apron. “Today is pancakes and pajama day so the kids eat at school.”
“Shouldn’t take them long to get ready then. Crawl out of bed, brush teeth and hair, and go.”
She shivered. “The kids can’t wear the same pajamas they wore overnight.”
“All they did was sleep in them.”
“For hours. They need clean ones.”
That rigid side of her was showing again. “You’re making more work for yourself.”
“I don’t mind. If you want cereal or I may have yogurt…”
“No, thanks.” He didn’t want her to go to any trouble for him. “All I need is a cup of coffee.”
“Okay, I have to get the kids up.”
She didn’t give him a chance to respond before she walked away.
Maybe she wasn’t a morning person. Maybe she hadn’t had a cup of coffee yet. Or maybe shewasas inflexible as he first believed, not only about work but also about life.
Still she cared about her work and her family. Her sister, niece, and nephew were lucky to have someone like Hadley. Other than a handful of friends, no one cared about Blaise. Not that way. The only people who did things for him were on his payroll. If things worked out as he planned during their meeting, Hadley would work for him, too.
And then she could buy whatever house she wanted.
CHAPTER SIX
Later that morning, Hadley sat at her desk. Even though tempted, she hadn’t poured herself a cup of coffee from the pot she’d made for Blaise and passed by the machine in the lobby. Whether Hadley remained awake all day, however, remained to be seen because she hadn’t slept well last night. But that had more to do with Blaise sleeping in her living room than her going cold turkey.
Still, she was proud she’d survived another morning without a jolt of caffeine to get her going. She’d also checked off every item on her morning to-do list at home and at the office.
Next on her schedule—the nine o’clock meeting with Blaise.
Warmth spread through her veins.
Twenty-four hours ago, she’d never met him. She wouldn’t call them friends, but she’d enjoyed spending time with him yesterday. He’d piqued her curiosity. She wanted to hear what he was looking for—a date, a girlfriend, a wife. A part of her envied whoever he ended up with because he was a catch.
And not only because of his net worth.
In some ways, Blaise was exactly the man she imagined he would be. Pushy, all business, not wanting to take no for an answer. But seeing him with Audra and Ryder had given Hadley a glimpse of a softer side. That appealed to her deep inside, a place she hadn’t realized existed. Maybe that explained why he’d been on her mind since Lex picked him up at her condo two hours ago.
More than once, Blaise’s confidence had wavered with the kids. The hint of vulnerability made him seem more approachable. The switch from standoffish to kind in a blink of an eye took his hotness to a new level.
She also had a feeling her niece and nephew would talk about Mr. M for days.
A part of her was crushing on him.
Harmless, yes, but she needed to focus on business. On his wanting to hire her. Anything else would only get in the way, especially if he became a client.
Ella poked her head into the office. “The receptionist from the front desk called. Blaise is on his way back.”
“Thanks.” Hadley glanced at the time on her screen.
8:59 AM.
Punctual. That was a good sign.
The outer door opened and closed.
