CEO Daddy (Crescent Cove 6.50)

’t. I stuffed my purse into the diaper bag and headed out into the near dark. The days were getting longer, but I’d definitely been pushing my luck with everything today.

Brewed Awakening was busy as usual, but not quite as bad as the lunch rush. I was running on empty on a number of levels, so I ordered a mom-to-be friendly cappuccino for me, juice box for Lily and decadent piece of chocolate cake for me.

I freaking deserved it.

I found a table by the window and set Lily in one of the high chairs. Lily shoved her fist into her eye and rubbed hard. “I know how you feel. Just a little bit longer.”

At least I hoped so.

Twenty-Five

This was it. The day I’d been working toward for weeks. Months really, even without fully knowing it. On a number of levels. And as a reward, we’d even finished our final meeting before the reveal a couple of hours early.

I shuffled files into my briefcase, already looking forward to ceremonially dumping the bulk of them into my filing cabinet once I was home. No longer would I be tethered to my office on the go. “Tomorrow’s the big day. Are you ready?”

Vincent took a breath, flashing me a grin. “Yeah, Boss, I really think I am.”

“You can stop calling me Boss anytime now. You’ll officially be fulfilling that role yourself in,” I glanced at my watch, “under six hours.”

“God. Intense. But you’ll still be the boss for all intents and purposes.”

“Yes, just less seen and heard from unless you need me. Which you won’t. I have every confidence in you.”

Vincent got to his feet and gripped the back of the padded chair. “You’re really sure you want to do this? I gotta say, I never saw you as the house husband type. Even when the thing happened with your friend, you continued on for the longest time as nothing had fazed you.”

“When Billy died, you mean. Not a thing. And if I acted unfazed, it was because I was trying like fucking hell to keep everything together for a little girl who didn’t deserve the hand she was dealt.”

“Yeah.” Vincent pinched the bridge of his nose. “My apologies. I don’t mean to diminish it. I give you all the respect in the world for stepping in. I don’t think I could’ve done that. I mean, kids? Yeah, no, not ready yet.”

“I thought the same. But luckily, life wouldn’t wait for my balls to drop so I had to figure it all out.” I gripped the handle of my briefcase, imprinting the feel of it on my hand. Hopefully, I wouldn’t be carrying it again anytime soon. “You’d be surprised what you can do when you have no choice.”

“But to step back from a successful career—”

“I’m just changing my career. Going in a different direction. I’m hoping to launch the podcast by summertime, so don’t think you’ve seen the last of me. The goal is to pair it with In Focus as a tool to go deeper on those news stories.”

Vincent nodded. “It’s a great angle. I’m looking forward to kicking everything off.”

“Tomorrow we make the announcement and do the ribbon cutting for the inaugural issue of the magazine, and then we go from there.” I moved around the table to clap him on the back. “Congrats, Boss.”

Vincent laughed. “Not true, but it still sounds nice. Thank you for this opportunity. I won’t let you down.”

“No, and more importantly, you won’t let yourself down. Every day is a chance to start the rest of your life. Make it a good one.” I glanced at my watch again. “On that note, I’m going home to hopefully do the same.”

“Oh, big plans tonight? I’ll walk you out.”

“Yes, need to pick up some sparkling grape juice and maybe some flowers.” I smiled, remembering. “Tulips, I think.”

“Romantic night on tap then?”

“Among other things. I’ve been keeping this all under wraps to surprise Hannah. Figured she might want to be at the big cover reveal tomorrow. Depends, of course, if she can take time off from her meal delivery service—”

“Oh, she does that? That’s good to know. I’ve been looking into those delivery services myself. Good when there’s not much time to cook.” Vincent and I reached the exit and headed out into the parking lot. “Unless my ordering from your girlfriend’s business would be weird.”

“No. She doesn’t do all the deliveries herself. Gabby does some, and I will be helping out too. So, just be prepared for me to deliver your pork loin some night.”

“There’s a trick. How exactly do you tip a millionaire?”

“Generously.”