Two Men and a Baby - Isla Olsen Page 0,33

has to end after tonight.”

He’s quiet for a long moment, his expression thoughtful. Finally, he lets out a soft sigh and asks, “Can I take some time to think about it?”

Not going to lie, a little part of me is just totally crushed hearing those words, but at the same time I can understand why he might need some time to process and think about what I’ve just asked him. I did kind of put him on the spot, after all.

I nod. “Absolutely. But on the chance you decide to leave this as a one time thing, can I suggest we make the absolute most of tonight?”

His face splits into a grin. “I can definitely get on board with that.”

When I wake the next morning, I’m not entirely surprised to find Josh has already left. Although it doesn’t stop the stab of disappointment hitting me in the chest.

When I check my phone I see there’s a couple texts from him.

Josh Donovan: Had to get to work, figured you could use some sleep

Josh Donovan: Still thinking btw

The first one makes me smile, while the second one sends an entire hive of bees buzzing around in my gut. On the one hand, he hasn’t said no; but on the other hand he hasn’t said yes…

On Tuesday I’m working at home when I get a call from a number I don’t recognize.

“Hello?”

“Mr. Kelly? This is Amelia Greene, I’m personal secretary to Spencer Cox. He’s requested a meeting with you for this afternoon, so would you be able to come to the CPG offices at two pm today?”

“Um…” I hesitate, glancing at Chase, who’s sitting on the rug with some blocks while Beat Bugs plays on low in the background. “Today’s not really convenient. Can we make it tomorrow instead?”

“Mr. Cox will be flying to Miami tonight so it has to be today,” she says in a tone that makes me bristle.

Remembering what Esther said about jumping when someone like Spencer Cox asks, I let out a resigned sigh. “I’ll be there.”

Just before two pm, I step off the elevator at Cox Property Group. Sunny isn’t on reception today, which is a shame. Having seen Sunny there doing her yoga, the guy now manning the phones like a professional seems almost out of place.

“Connor, hey.” I glance up at the familiar voice, seeing Cox stalking toward me. “Uh, okay, you have a baby on your chest.”

“You have accurate eyesight,” I say dryly, and internally cringe as soon as the comment is out because, seriously, Cox Property Group is our firm’s biggest client right now and I should absolutely not be mouthing off to their CEO. But damn, he just makes it so easy.

Fortunately, Cox just lets out a self-deprecating chuckle, shaking his head. “Right. I guess I should have said why do you have a baby strapped to your chest?”

“This is my son, Chase,” I tell him. “I usually work from home on Tuesdays and Thursdays so I can care for him while his mom’s at work.” No need to clarify I’ve only been doing that a few weeks.

“Oh, sorry. I feel like a total dick now for making you come down here.” His eyes widen and he shoots a nervous look at Chase. “Um, I mean…di..s..respectful person.”

I chuckle. “He’s heard a lot worse than ‘dick’ before, don’t sweat it.”

I follow Cox into his office and find there are two other guys already in there. It takes me a moment because they’re dressed in sharp, tailored suits and not covered in mud and sweat, but I realize these are guys from Cox’s rugby team—the one I played against last year when I was a ringer for Shay’s team.

“Connor, this is Charlie Campbell and Sullivan Stapleton,” Cox says gesturing first to the smaller, leaner man and then to the hulking giant who’s even bigger than I am. “Charlie’s the company’s lawyer and Sully’s thinking about investing in this development so I thought they should take a look at the plans.”

I shrug. “Sure, if you want.”

I slide my backpack from my shoulders and remove my tablet. “Is there somewhere to view this on a bigger screen, or is the tablet okay?”

Without a word, Cox points a remote control at one of the walls and it splits open, revealling a huge TV screen. “Will that do?”

“That will definitely do,” I say, trying to hold back my snort.

I’m in the middle of setting up my tablet to mirror to the TV when Chase starts fussing in the carrier.