Page 19 of His Long-Lost Baby

“What do you mean you’re not going?” I ask, my patience wearing thin. “You can’t just skip school whenever you want.”

“I don’t feel good,” she whines, rubbing a hand over her stomach.

I reach out to feel her forehead, checking for a fever. “You don’t feel warm. Are you sure you’re not just trying to get out of going to school?”

She shakes her head adamantly. “No, Mommy. I really don’t feel good.”

I let out a long sigh. In the past, when I was working for myself, I could afford this kind of delay.

But I can’t today. Not on the first day of my big project with James.

Quinn pouts, but eventually relents and gets up to put her shoes on. As she does, I look around our tiny apartment and try to ignore the gnawing feeling of dread in my gut.

Things have been tough lately. Money is tight, and I feel like I’m constantly running on fumes. The only thing keeping me going is the thought of the project I’m working on with James.

James. The thought of him sends a shiver down my spine. I can’t deny that I’m drawn to him in a way that I shouldn’t be. He’s smart, successful, and incredibly attractive. But he’s also my boss, and I can’t afford to let my feelings get in the way of my work. This job is the in I need.

Taking a deep breath, I bring my attention back to Quinn. “Are you nervous about going to the pumpkin patch?”

She shakes her head, apparently having forgotten all about today’s field trip. “No, I’m excited. We get to pick our own pumpkins!”

“That sounds like fun,” I say, forcing a smile. “I’ll pick you up from school and we can carve the pumpkin together, okay?”

Quinn grins, her eyes lighting up. “Really? Can we make pumpkin pie, too?”

I chuckle. “Maybe we can save that for another day. We should hurry, though, so you don’t miss your class leaving.”

As we drive to school, Quinn chatters on about the pumpkin patch and the different pumpkins she hopes to find. I try to stay present in the moment, enjoying her excitement, but my mind keeps drifting to James. I wonder if he’s as nervous as I am about working together. I wonder if he’s thinking about me, too.

When we arrive at the school, I give Quinn a tight hug before she disappears into the crowd of kids. I watch her go, feeling a pang of guilt for not being able to spend more time with her. It would have been great to be able to chaperone today’s field trip.

But I can’t afford to let that guilt consume me. I need to focus on this project. Need to remember I’m doing this for her.

Pulling out of the school parking lot, I glance again at the time. There’s no way around it. I’ll be at least twenty minutes late to work.

And based on everything I’ve learned about James so far, he won’t like that. Not one bit.

I try to push the thought out of my mind as I speed towards work, but it’s no use. My mind keeps conjuring images of James, his piercing blue eyes and chiseled jawline. I can’t help the way I feel, but I know it’s dangerous to let my guard down around him. One wrong move, and everything I’ve worked for will go up in smoke.

Finally, I arrive at the office, heart racing and palms sweating. I rush to the elevator, hoping I’m not too late. As soon as the doors open, I’m face-to-face with James. He looks up from his phone and narrows his eyes.

“You’re late,” he says, his voice cold and clipped.

“I know, I’m sorry,” I reply, trying to keep my voice steady. “My…”

I trail off, not wanting to tell him about Quinn. That feels way too personal and exposing. Even if he doesn’t know that she’s his daughter.

“My cat got sick,” I finish. “I had to drop her off at the vet.”

James eyes me for a moment, and I feel like he’s seeing right through me. My heart pounds in my chest as I wait for his response. Finally, he nods curtly.

“Fine. Just make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

I nod, relieved, and follow him into his office. We sit down at the table where the project materials are laid out. James starts to explain what he wants me to do, but I can’t focus on his words. All I can think about is his proximity, his cologne filling my senses.

It’s dangerous, I know. But I can’t help myself. My body reacts to him even as my mind screams at me to stay away.

As he goes over the details of the project, I feel his eyes on me. I glance up, and our eyes meet for a brief moment before I look away.