Page 23 of Baby Daddy

CHAPTER 12

Dee

Things returned to normal the next morning. Tyson was released from the hospital and was eager to go back to school and tell everyone about her hospital adventure. Since I was carless—my pickup truck was still probably at that damn club and might even be towed—I asked Lulu to swing by the hospital. To my surprise, she was driving my truck, which was fortunate because her Mini was way too small to accommodate all of Drake’s stuff. My sweet little girl planned to share the toys with her classmates and even left some behind for the children at the hospital.

“Thanks for picking up the truck,” I told my sister as I buckled Tyson into her car seat.

“Don’t thank me,” she replied, already in the front passenger seat.

“What do you mean?”

“Drake arranged to have it brought to the house.”

“Drake, the man you work for, Mommy, who gave me all these toys?” interjected my daughter.

“Yes, cupcake.”

“He’s the bestest man ever!”

My precious little girl was right. Drake was too good to be true. And as I got into the car, it frightened me as much as it excited me.

Drake was out of the office all day. His schedule included several meetings as well as auditions for a new animated series he was developing. I held things down in the office, answering emails, setting up pitches, and doing some filing. In between tasks, my mind drifted to him. It was impossible not to think about him.

I felt beholden to him for getting me through the Tyson crisis. In the course of twenty-four hours, he’d gone from being a jerk to being my hero. Though I still wasn’t sure if he screwed me and I wasn’t going to ask, his recent actions spoke louder than words. I tried hard to keep myself busy because every time I thought about him, my heart pitter-pattered and a cluster of tingles danced between my legs. He was gorgeous, funny, and successful. I’d never met a man like him nor had I ever been so attracted to anyone. But I didn’t have to do a lot of soul searching to know I didn’t stand a chance with him. I wasn’t his type and what hot, rich single guy would want a woman with a kid, who came with baggage that could sink the Titanic and was still married, to a felon no less. Fucking Kyle. I tried to bury him in the back of my mind, wishing I could bury him six feet under.

Facing my glum reality, I heard my cell phone buzz mid afternoon. A text. It was either Lulu because she was the only person in my life who texted me or my wireless carrier telling me I had a payment past due. I reached into my purse for my phone and my heart skipped a beat as I eyeballed the message. It was from Drake! How did he get my cell phone number? Had my sister given it to him? Or maybe he’d gotten it from Human Resources? With an unsteady hand, I read it.

Drake: I’m bored. This audition is dragging on. The actors can’t get their lines right.

Me: I’m sorry. Didn’t they practice?

Drake: Nah. Voice actors can be lazy.

Me: It must be fun. Have you ever tried?

Drake: Once. I played a leprechaun prince and had to contort my voice.

Me: What did you have to say?

Drake: I’ve screwed everyone in this kingdom, but I only have eyes for you, my frog princess.

I almost dropped my phone as I laughed out loud. I could also feel my cheeks heating and wet heat pooling between my legs.

Me: LOL! You didn’t really say that.

Drake: I did. Boy Scout Honor.

Me: LOL! You were never a Boy Scout.

Drake: That’s true. I was a Girl Scout.

I laughed out loud again. My boss was witty. It was time to show him again that I could be witty too. I could have made some transgender joke, but I went in a different direction.

Me: And what kind of girls did you scout for?

Drake: Cute brunettes with perky boobs and big fat ponytails.

A heat wave flashed through me and the flutters between my legs intensified. Holy shit! He was describing me! He texted again before I could respond.