Chapter 6
CHAPTER SIX
AUbrEY
My room is insane.
I’ve never stayed in a hotel half as nice as this, let alone slept in a bedroom like it.
The bed is bigger than the one I had at home, the bathroom looks like something out of a luxury spa, and the walk-in closet could probably fit every piece of furniture from my childhood bedroom.
The weirdest part?
It’s right next to Dean’s.
He said it would make the middle-of-the-night feedings easier if we were both close to Liana’s nursery, which we are apparently going to start having her use next week.
She’s been sleeping in a bassinet next to Dean’s bed.
Logically, it makes perfect sense.
Unfortunately, logic isn’t the part of my brain currently in charge.
Because all I can think about is the fact that Dean Ledger is sleeping on the other side of that wall.
I close my eyes and groan.
Seriously, Aubrey?
You’re here to help take care of his daughter.
Not fantasize about your teenage crush.
Good to know fifteen-year-old me is apparently alive and well.
After I finish unpacking, I realize I can’t hide in my room all night.
As tempting as that sounds, I have to rip the Band-Aid off eventually.
I’m going to be living with this man for the foreseeable future. The sooner I stop feeling like an awkward houseguest, tiptoeing around his penthouse, the better.
Besides … I’m not here because of Dean. I’m here because of Liana.
The sweetest little girl I’ve ever met.
Her bright blue eyes are a perfect match to her dad’s, though somehow, they seem even bigger, framed by impossibly long, dark lashes. She has a head full of dark hair, warm olive skin, and the kind of tiny gummy smile that makes it impossible not to smile back.
I’ve only known her for a few hours, but I’m already completely smitten.
Maybe that’s because babies have a way of wrapping people around their tiny fingers without even trying.
Or maybe it’s because every time I look at her, I see a little girl who had her whole world turned upside down before she was old enough to understand it.
Whatever the reason, I already know one thing.
If I’m going to be living here, I’m going to love that little girl like she’s family.
Taking one last look in the mirror, I smooth my hands down the front of my T-shirt before opening my bedroom door.
The penthouse is quiet.
I follow the faint glow of the kitchen lights and round the corner just as Dean reaches into a cabinet above the counter. Liana lets out a fussy cry from the bouncer beside him.
“It’s okay,” he murmurs, grabbing a bottle from the drying rack. “I’m almost done.”
I pause in the doorway, watching him.
He’s changed into a pair of gray athletic shorts and a T-shirt, his hair still damp from a shower. He looks exhausted, but there’s something oddly comforting about seeing him in such an ordinary moment.
Not billionaire Dean.
Just … Dad.
He scoops formula into a bottle before adding water, giving it a vigorous shake.
“Need any help?” I ask.
He glances over his shoulder, looking almost guilty that I caught him.
“I’ve got it.” He reaches into a mug filled with warm water, then frowns. “I can never remember how long Frieda leaves it in.”
I smile. “Can I?”
He hesitates for only a second before handing me the bottle.
I test a few drops against the inside of my wrist. “A little too warm.”
He watches as I run the bottle under cool water for a few seconds before checking it again.
“Perfect.”
His shoulders sag. “I swear every bottle feels like a science experiment.”
I laugh softly. “I promise it gets easier.”
“I certainly hope so.”
I lift Liana from the bouncer, and almost immediately, her little body relaxes against my arm.
Dean notices. “So, that’s your secret.”
“What secret?”
“She calmed instantly when you picked her up.”
I grin. “I think she was mostly wondering why her dinner was taking so long.”
“Possibly.”
We move into the living room, and I settle on one end of the couch with Liana cradled in my arms. She latches on to the bottle immediately, her tiny fingers curling around one of mine.
Dean sits beside me, leaning forward with his elbows resting on his knees.
For a few minutes, neither of us says anything. The room is filled only with the soft rhythm of Liana drinking.
“So,” he finally says, breaking the silence, “where did you go to school?”
“Ohio State,” I answer while I watch Liana.
“You a big football fan?”
I lift my head up and find his eyes, then smile. “Does anyone go to Ohio State if they’re not?”
He chuckles. “Fair enough. What’d you major in?”
“Graphic Design.”
He nods. “That’s a good choice.”
“Thanks. I’ve always loved branding and advertising. Consumer behavior, social media campaigns …” I shrug. “I know it sounds nerdy.”
A corner of his mouth lifts. “I own a tech company.”
“Right.” I laugh. “Wrong audience for calling business nerdy.”
“What do you want to do with it?”
The question catches me off guard. Not because it’s difficult, but because it’s been a while since someone asked what I wanted instead of why I wasn’t working.
“I’d love to work in branding and ads. Maybe for a consumer company or a sports team.” I look down at Liana, who seems perfectly content with her bottle. “Honestly, at this point, I’d go for anyone that was willing to give me a chance.”
Dean is quiet for a moment. “I’m sorry.”
I look up. “For what?”
“That this was the opportunity you found.”
His words surprise me.
I shake my head. “Don’t be.”
He looks unconvinced.
“I mean it.” I smile. “This might not be where I pictured myself a month ago, but life doesn’t always stick to the plan.”
“No,” he says quietly. “It definitely doesn’t.”
Our eyes meet for a brief second.
For the first time since I walked into his penthouse, the intimidating billionaire disappears completely.
He’s just a man whose life changed overnight.
And somehow, that makes him a whole lot easier to talk to.