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“You think I’m capable of going to a store with her? Alone? In public? What if she screams and I can’t calm her down? Besides, I look like a garden gnome that’s been run over by a lawn mower a dozen times.”
Damien chuckled as he straightened his tie.
“You think this is funny?” I asked.
“I think you’re brilliant, brave, and dramatic in a really hot and sexy way.” He winked.
“Don’t try to distract me with flattery, mister. I’m unraveling here.”
He sat on the edge of the bed and brought his hand up to my cheek.
“You’ve kept our baby alive for fourteen days now. You’ve swaddled like a pro, and even after all of your threats, you didn’t list our daughter on Facebook Marketplace yet.”
“Yet being the key word,” I said.
“You’ve got this, sweetheart.”
“But what if I don’t, Damien? What if she cries and I cry and we both cry together, and the whole building hears and they call CPS over my emotional collapse? I’m not ready.”
“You are.” He smiled. “You are the world’s most unhinged, completely perfect Mom.”
“Okay, fine. You can go. But if I text you the poop emoji three times in a row?—”
“I come home. No questions asked.”
“Fine. You may now leave,” I said.
And just like that, he leaned over and kissed my lips. Then, he softly kissed his daughter on the head. She stirred, and I gave him an evil look.
“I love you so much, sweetheart. You got this.”
“I love you, too.”
He walked out of the room. When I heard the elevator doors shut, I stared down at Daisy, ready to face the day alone.
Kind of.
Sort of.
Maybe.
Probably not.
ChapterThirty-Three
Damien
My staff welcomed me back with open arms. As I headed to my office, I saw Charlie leaning against the doorframe with a latte.
“There he is.” He patted my shoulder. “It’s good to have you back, my friend.”
“Thanks.” I set my briefcase down and collapsed into my chair. “Do you know what it’s like to be emotionally destroyed by a seven-pound human with dimples?”
Charlie tipped his latte cup to his lips. “I mean—not yet. But I do know what it’s like to be emotionally destroyed by a woman with dimples, so I assume it’s similar.” He smirked.
“Daisy smiled last night.”
“It was gas,” Charlie said.