Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 86364 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 432(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 288(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86364 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 432(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 288(@300wpm)
But Declan strode into the store with all the confidence of being a major stockholder.
“What’s on your list?”
“Lots of baby stuff—diapers, formula, baby food, bottles, shampoo, a soft bristle brush for her hair, and a bunch of other stuff.”
Lines snaked across Declan’s smooth brow for a moment before he nodded and declared, “Yes, that should be fine.”
“What’s that supposed to mean? It’s not like you’re buying it. I’ve got it covered. You’re here as the nanny.”
Declan’s thick brows jumped up to his hairline. “The nanny?”
My gaze darted to Joy, who was sitting on his arm, chewing on the ear of her plush bunny. Which reminded me, I needed to get her one of those teething rings that could be put in the freezer. She was showing all the signs that her first tooth was coming in.
“That’s not what I meant,” Declan resumed after a second. “I mean that I might have asked my personal shopper to pick up a few things for Joy today.”
I released the cart and stepped closer to him, tilting my head down as I glared at him. “A few things? Are we talking about a few things like the few things you acquired for her when she needed to stay in the office for one day?”
Declan cleared his throat, and his eyes darted away as if he couldn’t stand to meet my gaze any longer. “I couldn’t say. I told my personal shopper about the situation and that Joy needed to be made comfortable since my home isn’t baby friendly.”
That was true.
But that wasn’t the point.
“Declan! You can’t keep doing this. I swear to God, I’m taking your wallet away. No more spending money on me and Joy. Do you hear me?”
Then the worst thing possible happened.
Declan Foster pouted.
The man’s natural expression was resting bitch face, and I found it adorable. Yet, now his brow furrowed more, and I swore his bottom lip jutted out as he stared at the empty cart in front of me. How was I supposed to stay strong against this? He was heart-meltingly adorable. With one small look, he was napalming all my resolve and best intentions, leaving me with only the desire to cave to all his wishes. This isn’t fair!
“No! Don’t look like that. Declan, be reasonable. You can’t keep spending all this money on me.”
“I want to help,” he mumbled.
“Sweetheart, you are helping. You’ve helped plenty. Please stop looking like that. And don’t teach Joy how to make that look. I can’t handle it if you both turn on me.”
Declan glanced up, the pout disappearing under a look of worry. “Joy and I want to help.”
I chose to ignore the “Joy and I” part because what remained of my brain couldn’t deal with it right now. “How am I going to repay you for all this? I’m still trying to get the proper documentation to the insurance company, so they’ll cough up a check. I didn’t even buy most of Joy’s things the first time, but inherited them from Molly. There’s Molly’s life insurance policy, but all that money is being put in a trust for Joy’s college fund. I can’t—”
The tall blond holding my baby pressed his fingers to my lips. “I do not want you to repay me. This is my gift to Joy. I’m helping you. We’re friends, right? That is what friends do.”
I jerked my head to the side, trying to hide the sudden burning of my eyes. It was just too much. Not to mention, it also played on my insecurities about being the world’s shittiest dad. Wasn’t it bad enough that Joy had suffered the loss of her mother? Did she have to go to a new father who didn’t know what he was doing and have her new home burn down?
“Parker, look at me.” Declan’s voice was low and fierce. I had no choice but to turn my face toward him. “I have more money than I will ever need. It means nothing to me. This isn’t about things. What I’m giving you is time. If you’re not wasting your time buying all the stuff she needs to live comfortably and safely, that means you can spend more hours with her and getting a new home lined up. Okay?”
“Yeah.” The single word was rough and ragged to my own ears. He had a good point. If he was fine spending the money, why the hell should I argue with him? Joy had been through enough bad stuff. Why not spoil her a bit? All too soon, she’d outgrow it and wouldn’t remember any of this when she got older.
“Thanks, Declan. I don’t know what I’d do without you right now.”
Declan wrapped his free arm around my shoulders and pulled me in close, pressing my face into his broad shoulder. I couldn’t help it. I gave in to the impulse and hugged his narrow waist in the middle of the fucking grocery store while fighting tears. Declan had never struck me as a guy who was willing to suffer through public displays of affection, but he showed no problem with it as I wiped aside some tears.