CEO Daddy (Crescent Cove 6.50)

“More of a primer, let’s say. And don’t even think about looking at it. You do realize where my new home is, don’t you? Apparently, the whole town is under a baby spell.” I shut my office door behind me.

“What the hell are you talking about?”

Vincent’s reaction was similar to my own when I’d discovered Crescent Cove was well-known for something more than quaint lakeside views and charming shops. “If you’re curious, stop into Brewed Awakening in the Cove. Ask for Macy, the owner. She’ll give you an earful.”

She’d surely given me one when I stopped in for a cup of java the other morning. I’d mentioned that Hannah was Vee’s dog-walker for little Latte. Hannah had met Vee during her brief time working at the café—a job she’d quit shortly after she’d taken on the nanny job. Vee had a passel of children, thanks to an ad searching for a baby daddy in the Cove. And also, due to drinking too much of Crescent Cove’s water.

The last part was just speculation.

Vincent yanked on his tie. “I’m not sure I’m man enough to.”

“Me either, but I survived.” We crossed the newsroom and passed the fleet of offices that surrounded the main hive to emerge in the hallway that led to the exit. “I’m pretty sure Hannah and I got caught up in forces bigger than ourselves. Sage may be a baby pusher too, for all I know.”

“Who’s Hannah?” Vincent cocked his head. “Oh, your baby mama?”

I frowned. “Don’t call her that.”

“What should I call her then?”

I didn’t know. We didn’t have any labels for each other. We were just existing in this free space where we made the rules and figured out the path forward. “The answer,” I said softly before I caught Vincent’s strange look and realized what I’d said.

But it felt true, so I didn’t correct my statement. Just kind of...lived with it for a moment.

That she could be my answer when I hadn’t even realized I was still full of questions seemed like an unspeakable miracle.

The topic shifted to Vincent’s knowledge of podcasts, which I think he appreciated. I understood the desire to relegate the subject of settling down and babies to a box at the back of the closet. God knows I hadn’t been looking to expand my family on New Year’s Eve.

Luckily, some unseen hands had guided us together. Or…Sage.

I was still sure she had something to do with it. Or my grandmother. Maybe both of them. Every town had a matchmaker, didn’t they?

Perhaps Crescent Cove had two in the making.

Vincent and I parted with an agreement to discuss the transition on Friday, including the specifics of what exactly that would mean. But I made sure he understood that while my overall role would be smaller, I would still be keeping my hand in. I would also be working some longer hours in the weeks leading up to officially handing him the reins, just to ensure the change would be a success.

We ended the conversation with a handshake—and a hug, which I appreciated much more now that I was becoming the sort of man who sang Kenny Rogers’ songs in the men’s room at nine am.

The old austere Asher probably would’ve sprayed his hand with sanitizer and forgotten the whole thing had ever occurred. Good thing I’d sent him packing.

He was sort of an asshole.

I texted Hannah on the way to let her know I was running late.

Oh, don’t rush. I just went into labor.

Despite that impossibility, I nearly swerved off the road.

You nearly made me drive into a ditch.

You shouldn’t be texting and driving anyway. What kind of example are you setting for the children?

The word children sent a chill through me as it always did. At least it wasn’t nearly as paralyzing anymore.

The children can’t see what I’m doing right now and I’m using text-to-speech anyway. Did you miss me?

Who is this again?

Laughter rolled through me, filling the car. That was me laughing like that. Not just a polite chuckle at parties, but actually fucking laughing.