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Our moment of corporate glee is cut short by the buzz of my phone. It’s Hannah, my nanny. I brace for impact. “Hey, Hannah. What’s up?”
“Mr. Cole, I’m really sorry, but I’ve caught some sort of stomach bug. I don’t think I can work this week,” she says, her voice weaker than usual.
“Take the time you need. My mom can tap in for a bit. She’s been dying to spend time with Caleb recently.” I keep my tone light and reassuring. No need for her to worry about us.
“Thank you, Mr. Cole. I’ll keep you posted on how I’m feeling. Oh, and don’t forget about Caleb’s dentist appointment at one o’clock.”
I eye the clock on my wall. It’s 12:20 already, so I should get going.
“Thanks for the reminder. Get some rest, Hannah. And fluids. Lots of fluids.” I end the call and look up at Leo, who’s watching me with an amused eyebrow raised.
“Kid duty calls?” he asks, smirking.
“Yep. Caleb’s got a dentist appointment. Wouldn’t miss it for the world,” I reply, shoving my laptop into my leather bag with more force than necessary. As I snap the bag shut, Leo chuckles.
“Attentive single dad and a billionaire? How do you keep the ladies at bay?”
“Trust me, between boardrooms and bedtime stories, there’s no room for any playdates of my own.” I grab my keys, spinning them on one finger, the metallic jingle punctuating my point.
Sure, before Colette turned my life into a courtroom drama series, I played the field. But now? My heart’s got trust issues thicker than the Sunday Times.
“Later, Leo.” I nod at him, and he nods back, the unspoken language of lifelong friends and business partners.
“Later, Adrian. Don’t let the kiddie germs bite.”
“Ha-ha,” I deadpan, and push through the door.
“Suzy,” I call out to my secretary as I pass her desk, “hold down the fort. I’ve got a client dinner at Bistro Laurent tonight, won’t be back in.”
“Will do, Mr. Cole,” she replies efficiently, not missing a beat as her fingers fly over the keyboard.
“Thanks,” I say, already halfway to the elevators, my mind shifting gears from contracts to cavities. Welcome to my world—where the battles are fought with legal briefs and dental floss.
Fifteen minutes later, I arrive at the front office of Laurel Heights Preparatory, waiting for Caleb to be pulled out of class.
“Adrian Cole,” I hear a voice behind me as I wait.
Sam Velasquez, the slick lawyer from Davidson & Harte, greets me with that too-perfect smile as he leans against the receptionist’s desk like he owns the place. “Here to pull your kid out of class? Or are you just trying to steal our negotiation tactics?”
“Sam,” I retort, my voice laced with mock seriousness, “if I wanted to learn how to lose clients, I’d just read your firm’s Yelp reviews.”
We share a chuckle, the kind two rival gladiators might before they enter the arena. But then the double doors swing open, and there’s Caleb, his bright eyes zeroing in on me. He’s walking alongside Elizabeth, Sam’s daughter.
“Hey, champ!” I scoop him up, my adversarial shell melting away faster than ice cream on a summersidewalk.
He clings to me, all gangly limbs and gap-toothed smile, and suddenly, I’m not Adrian Cole, billionaire lawyer—I’m just Dad.
“Ready to go?” I ask, and he gives me a nod. I rise, still holding Caleb in my arms as I turn to Sam. “Velasquez, it’s been a pleasure.”
He gives me a curt nod as he takes his daughter’s hand in his. “Always, Cole.”
“Daddy, is Hannah gonna be okay?” Caleb’s question comes muffled against my shoulder as we head out to the car.
“Yep, buddy, she’s tough. Just caught a little bug.” I retrieve the key fob out of my pocket and unlock my black luxury SUV, securing him in his car seat in the backseat. “Grandma Macie will hang out with you for a bit until I get done with work today.”
“Okay,” he nods, his face serious. “Sounds like a plan.”
“I appreciate the approval.”