Chapter 3
WE SHOULD GET ENGAGED
DEREK
The sound of the shower running just a few feet away was a sweet torture that did absolutely nothing to calm the rage that burned in my veins.
I sat on the bed of the guest room, phone in hand, staring at Jack’s name lighting up my screen for the fifth time in ten minutes. My thumb hovered over the decline button before I finally just silenced the damn thing.
Like hell I was talking to that bastard tonight.
Lily made a soft, cooing sound from where I had propped her carrier in the middle of the bed. I turned my attention to her instead. She was awake now, her big eyes watching me with that intense baby focus that suggested she was judging my every move.
“Your dad’s a complete waste of space,” I said, moving closer to unbuckle her from the carrier. “Just so you know. Complete and total idiot. But you, kid… you’re perfect.”
She kicked her little legs in response, and I couldn’t help but smile as I lifted her. She was heavier than I expected, solid and warm in my arms, and when she immediately grabbed a fistful of my shirt, my chest tightened. It was a strange, fierce instinct that this tiny person was mine to protect.
I had loved Paige since we were kids. Ever since she punched Tommy in the face for making fun of my stutter. I got hopelessly attached to the fierce little blonde who defended me without a second thought.
Then Jack happened. Smooth-talking, charming Jack swept in during high school and made Paige laugh in a way that made my heart hurt. I had watched her fall in love with him, watched her marry him, watched her slowly dim over the years as he took and took and took without giving anything back.
And now this. Cheating on her, in their bed while their daughter slept down the hall.
My phone buzzed again. A text this time.
Jack: I know she’s with you. Tell her to call me.
I didn’t reply. Lily was trying to gnaw on my knuckles, drool pooling on my hand, but I shifted her to my hip and started making calls.
First, my interior designer. I didn’t care that it was late. Monica owed me a favor after I had gotten her out of a contract dispute last year, and she picked up on the second ring.
“Derek? It’s late. What’s wrong?”
“I need you to convert my second guest room into a nursery,” I said, bouncing Lily gently when she fussed. “Full setup. Crib, changing table, everything a one-year-old would need. And I need it done by tomorrow afternoon.”
“Tomorrow?” There was a pause. “Derek, that’s impossible—”
“Monica. Please. I’ll pay whatever it costs.”
Another pause, and then she sighed. “Did you get someone pregnant? Found out about a surprise baby?”
“No… but it’s for someone special.”
“Fine. Send me the address and give me access to the apartment. I’ll try to make it happen.”
The next call was to Miranda, one of the best divorce attorneys in the city and a friend. She answered after the second ring.
“Derek Peterson calling me on a Friday night?” She said, her voice amused. “This should be good.”
“I need your help with a case. Top priority. I’m sending you the details tonight.”
“What kind of case?”
I glanced toward the bathroom door, making sure the shower was still running. “Divorce. Infidelity. There’s a child involved, and I need it handled fast and clean. The woman deserves better than what she’s been dealing with.”
“Send me everything you have.” Miranda’s tone shifted, turning professional. “I’ll review it over the weekend.”
“Thank you, Miranda.”
“Derek? This woman... she must be pretty important.”
I looked down at Lily, who had given up on my hand and was now trying to grab my nose. “She is. Very. She just doesn’t know it yet.”
After hanging up, I looked up a few clothing websites on my phone, which was significantly harder with a baby attached to me, and started scrolling through them. Comfortable pajamas in satin or silk and cute underwear. Things I could picture myself peeling off her.
Control yourself, idiot.
I bought all the practical stuff Paige would need if she was staying here, which she absolutely was, because I’d chain the door shut before I let her go back to that asshole.
I selected a few options in what I hoped were the right sizes, added expedited shipping, and clicked purchase before I could overthink it.
Lily started rooting against my chest, making little frustrated sounds, and I realized with growing alarm that she was trying to nurse through my shirt.
Okay, woah.
“Wrong equipment, kid,” I muttered, adjusting her position. “Sorry to disappoint.”
She responded by biting down on my pectoral through the thin cotton of my t-shirt.
“Ow! Jesus, you’ve got sharp teeth!”
The water shut off, and I heard movement in the bathroom. I felt the surge of heat knowing she was just feet away completely naked.
A few minutes later, the bedroom door opened, and Paige walked out. She was wrapped in nothing but a towel that clung to the soft curve of her breasts, barely covering them.
Fuck me.
My brain short-circuited. I tried my best not to stare at her bare legs or at how her damp hair brushed her shoulders.
She froze, one hand clutching the towel at her chest. Her face was clean, free of the mascara tracks and the professional mask she always wore at work, and she looked so fucking beautiful that I had to clear my throat twice before I could speak.
“I, uh... I’ll take care of Lily?” I said, nodding at the baby, who was babbling. “Let you get dressed?” Even though I saw you give birth and nothing about you should ever be covere—hold it, idiot.
I was losing my composure. I had to get out of the room before I did something unforgivable. Like tugging off that damn towel and pinning her on the bed. Or drop to my knees and beg her to let me worship every inch of her.
“Oh. Yes,” she said, color slashing her cheeks. “Thank you.”
I went downstairs with Lily, who immediately started fussing again, her little face scrunching up in a way that warned of an impending meltdown.
I bounced her, walking in circles around my living room while trying not to think about Paige in my guest room, towel barely holding on, her skin dewy and flushed from the heat of the shower.
That’s your assistant and long-term friend, idiot!
“Don’t tell your mom I was blushing,” I whispered to her. “That stays between us.”
She babbled something that sounded vaguely accusatory, and I sighed. “I know you’re right. I’m a complete disaster.”
To distract both of us, I headed to the kitchen. Donna, my housekeeper, had left chicken parmesan in the fridge before she’d gone home for the weekend. I pulled it out, set the oven to reheat, and made grilled cheese sandwiches because Paige always used to love those when we were kids.
Lily settled once I started moving around, her head resting against my shoulder while I worked one-handed. She was warm and heavy, and every few minutes she would try to gnaw on my shirt again, reminding me that she was probably starving.
But other than that, she was a quiet kid.
I was flipping the second sandwich when I heard footsteps on the stairs.
The sight of her stopped me cold. Paige was in the kitchen doorway wearing one of my t-shirts and a pair of my sweatpants that she had rolled at the waist and ankles. Her hair was still damp, falling in soft waves around her face.
The thin, faded gray t-shirt was too big, hanging off one shoulder and revealing soft, smooth skin.
My clothes. On her body. In my kitchen.
She looked perfect. So fucking gorgeous that made my chest ache. She looked as if she belonged there.
Fuck. I need some air.
She had gained weight since having Lily, and it suited her. Made her look soft and womanly and so kissable.
“Hey,” I said. “You look... comfortable.”
Who the fuck says that, Derek? Comfortable, really?
She blinked, and a small smile tugged at her lips.
“Hungry?” I offered quickly, hoping I didn’t sound as insane as I felt.
“Starving,” she said moving closer and eyeing the pan. “What are you making?”
“Grilled cheese. And Donna left chicken parm that should be ready in a few minutes.” I shifted Lily, who had resumed her attempts to nurse through my shirt. “Fair warning though, your daughter thinks I’m you and keeps trying to eat me.”
Paige laughed, the sound soft, making my heart beat a little faster. “She must be hungry,” she said, reaching for Lily. “I’ll feed her before bed.”
She took the baby, settling her against her hip with practiced ease, and I tried not to watch too obviously as she adjusted the t-shirt. The hem rode up when she moved, revealing a sliver of soft skin that I wanted to touch more than I wanted air.
Control. Yourself.
I forced myself to focus on not burning the sandwiches.
“This is really nice of you, Derek,” Paige whispered. “Letting us stay here. Making food. I don’t know how I’m going to—”
My phone lit up on the kitchen island, vibrating insistently. Jack’s name flashed across the screen.
Paige’s expression shuttered instantly. Her whole body tensed, and I watched her retreat into that shell she had built around herself.
I didn’t answer. Just let it ring until it went to voicemail.
“Paige,” I said, swallowing the lump in my throat and turning to face her fully. I met her eyes, which looked fragile, and knew exactly what I had to do to tear her away from him forever.
“We should get engaged.”