compared to my destination and the parking garage. It would have been just my luck that he’d have
caught me walking past with the huge white and blue box the associate insisted on putting the bear in
before I left. “You should have told me you were there. I would have taken my lunch break.”
Okay, so I’d miscalculated.
“Next time,” I promised him. “Do you really like it?”
“I love it!” I watched as he played with the race car driver outfit I’d paid extra for. None of the
bears screamed to me when I walked in, but one associate was kind enough to usher me to the back of
the store where I could buy—for an outrageous amount—an outfit to customize any of the bears. When
I’d seen the white suit with checkered flag piping, I knew it would be perfect. Corey was obsessed
with toy cars to the point I already had a rug for the living room in my place, allowing him to turn the
floor into a series of city streets.
“Good.” I bent down, kissing Corey’s head. I lifted the sheets, tucking the bear safely against his
chest. “Get some sleep. I need to work on the other playroom. If you wake up before I come back,
find me.”
“Okay, Daddy.” I pressed my lips to his, never deepening the kiss. My hand trailed down his side,
resting on his hip. “Tomorrow you take a nap with me?”
“Absolutely,” I promised him.
I turned out the lights and pulled the doors closed. And then, I stood there, resting my head against
the frosted pane of glass. I was so in love with that boy. Now, I had to bide my time so I could tell
him.
16
COREY
I CAN’T DO THIS. SHOULD’VE GONE TO WILLIAM’S PLACE. THIS WAS STUPID.
No matter how I tried, I couldn’t silence the doubt in my mind. I glanced in the rearview mirror to
make sure he was still behind me. I gripped the steering wheel so tightly I was surprised my knuckles
didn’t glow white in the darkness.
When I’d asked him if we could stay at my place, I really thought I was ready. This wasn’t like
last time when I’d changed my mind at the last minute. I was starting to believe this wasn’t a passing
fling for either of us and part of me wanted him in my space.
The other part… well, I didn’t know how Daddy would feel when I told him what was bothering
