Page 77 of Let Me Love You

Challenge accepted.

I smile. All throughout my life, I’ve always tried to make the best out of everything, so even when I wanted to cry, I’d smile. Whenever my mother would be gone for a month straight, I’d smile. Whenever my father was supposed to have a day off to spend with Isabella and me but work called him back, I’d smile. Whenever my nanny showed up at my school science fair instead of my parents, I’d smile.

But ever since Serenity entered my life, every tip of my lips has become real.

My door opens a crack, and Martha sticks her head inside. “Uh, Mr. Barlowe, Rose is here to see you.”

Oh, shit, I forgot to tell Martha about this meeting. And considering her statement sounds more like a question, I’m certain she’s waiting for me to tell her to turn Rose away.

“Yes, let her in. It’s fine.”

She tilts her head to the side, hesitating. “Are you sure?”

I nod. “Everything will be okay.”

Martha backs out without another word and leaves the door wide open. She glares at my ex before retreating. My chest warms at the sentiment. Martha has always treated me with more respect and more like a son than my mother ever has.

Rose struts inside with a bag of takeout and her bubblegum-colored briefcase. I motion toward the leather chairs, but in typical Rose fashion, she doesn’t listen. She takes the food out of the bag and places it on my desk.

“Oh, darn, they forgot silverware.”

I don’t say anything. Instead, I walk out to the reception area where Martha sits and grab a plate, utensils, and a few napkins.

Martha gives me a pointed look over the rim of her glasses, and I say, “Don’t worry. This is just a work meeting.”

But she doesn’t reply.

I head back to my office and find Rose still standing next to my desk. Her cheeks are a little flushed like she’s hot, but my office is cool with the AC almost at full blast.

“I got enough for the both of us. Tacos from your favorite place.” She winks. “I know how you always used to work through your lunch breaks.”

I pat my belly. “Thank you, but I already ate.”

She raises a brow. “You did?”

I nod. “Serenity packed my lunch.”

“So, you think just because you two are playing house she’s suitable to be the wife of Barlowe Technology’s CEO?”

I knew she wasn’t here to talk about the launch, so I push to my feet and motion toward the door. “If you came here to insult my wife, then I’ll have to ask you to leave. I thought maybe you actually had ideas you wanted to bounce off me.”

Rose’s face bleaches of all color, and her hands turn into fists. “No, I have something I wish to discuss. I just thought it would be rude to show up with food without bringing some for everyone.”

I can’t argue with that. I begrudgingly accept a couple of tacos. The woman’s mind is impeccable, remembering I like barbacoa the most.

Three tacos and forty-five minutes later, Rose finishes her proposal about working with specific social media influencers depending on which platform we use. She did all her research and even reached out to them to see if they’d want to work with us.

I lean back in my chair with a smile. This is the Rose we need on the board—not the woman hell-bent on trying to marry me.

Rose struts over and sits on the edge of my desk. “So, what do you think?”

Clearing my throat, I push my office chair back so that we have another foot between us. “Do you mind sitting in your chair?”

She giggles. “Sorry, it’s a habit from the old days.”

Before she can move, motion in my office doorway snags my attention, and Serenity stands there with Summer in her arms. Serenity’s eyes bounce between Rose and me with hesitance. When I glance over at Rose, a satisfied smirk tips up her lips.

Serenity places our daughter on her feet and says, “Go sit with Martha.”