Page 30 of The Boss's Triplet Surprise
“I’m a busy guy living by myself.” Dan looked around. “It would look weird if this place was full of fluffy pillows.”
“Maybe. But you could at least get a nicer couch.” Leah sat on the couch to demonstrate and it gave a loud squeak. “Do you even sit here?”
“Not really,” Dan admitted. “I’m usually in my home office when I’m here.”
“Home office? I have to see this.”
“Follow me.” Dan led her through a sparkling gray-and-white kitchen and down a short hallway. Leah caught a glimpse of his bedroom, which had a neatly made bed and not much else, and quickly looked away.
Dan’s home office was better than the rest of the house, if only because it looked more real. There was a large desk with a monitor screen, a pile of papers, and a comfortable-looking chair on wheels. Leah sat in it and propelled herself across the floor, which made Dan laugh.
“What do you think?”
“This is better. I believe that a human works here. But don’t you think it’s a little concerning that your most lived-in room in your home is the one that’s basically a carbon copy of your office at work?”
“Nope. I’m not concerned.” Dan perched on the edge of his desk. “I like my work. I’m not ashamed of that.”
“I like my work,” Leah said. “You must love yours.”
“Okay, Dad.”
“Sorry.” Leah stood and stretched. “I’ll stop. What shall we do now?”
Dan’s face took on a shifty expression. “I was thinking I could quickly check my emails while you get comfortable…”
Leah was torn between laughing and scolding him. She settled for rolling her eyes.
“Fine, fine. Just let me know where I can sit on something that doesn’t squeak or stick to my legs while I wait.”
“How about the couch in here?”
The couch in question was dark gray, but at least it was covered with fabric, not leather. Leah sat on it and tucked her legs beneath her out of habit. Then she took out her phone.
“Okay, work away. I’ll be here.”
“Thanks. I just feel bad since I left early…”
“I know, I know.” Leah opened her social media feed. She spent a while scrolling through her friends’ posts, but it was distracting. At this age, it seemed like everyone she knew was getting engaged, posting wedding photos, getting pregnant, giving birth, and playing with their children. Every picture reminded Leah of the potential pregnancy.
Despite her excitement and hope at the idea she might be pregnant, a small part of her felt sad. This wasn’t how she’d imagined having a baby. She’d always wanted a real partner by her side, someone like Dan. But his insistence on working today just underscored the fact that he would never be a real partner for her.
Yet something gave Leah hope. The fact that this baby had been conceived during her and Dan’s night of tenderness and passion felt meaningful. As did the fact that Dan was attending every appointment and seemed just as excited and involved as she was. Maybe, just maybe, it wasn’t out of the question for him to be a real partner after all.
You’re getting ahead of yourself, Adams. Even if Dan wanted to be a real partner, Leah wasn’t sure he was capable of it. His work clearly took first priority.
“Leah?”
She was startled out of her reverie by Dan, who was standing in front of her looking sheepish. A glance at her phone showed that he’d been working for less than ten minutes.
“Sorry. It felt important that I check on work, but almost as soon as I sat down, I realized that nothing is more important than the message we’re waiting for. I want to spend this time with you.”
Leah’s heart warmed so much that she pressed a hand to it. She felt almost teary, which wasn’t usual for her at all. Maybe it was possible for Dan to prioritize something, or someone, over his work. Maybe that someone could be her. And their baby. Maybe…
“Thanks, Dan. That means a lot.”
“So, what would you like to do? We can pick out what dinner we want to order, watch a movie, go for a walk…”
“I’m thinking about the walk.” Leah’s phone dinged, and a thrill of anticipation went through her. This probably wasn’t the message already, but she still felt excited. And nervous. “Let me check that.”