Page 38 of Beauty and the Daddy

The question catches me off guard. "Actually, yeah. He's supposed to arrive today."

Sofia claps her hands together. "Can I meet him? Please?"

Before I can answer, Luca appears in the doorway. "Sofia, I'm sorry baby, but I need to take a call. It's important."

Sofia's face falls. "But you promised we'd walk Bruno together."

"I know, princess. I'm sorry. This won't take long."

Luca runs a hand through his hair, looking torn like ribbons. My heart, the traitor, does a dumb swoop-dive thing in my chest.

An idea pops into my head before I can think better of it. "I could take her."

Both of them look at me like I've just suggested we rob a bank.

"For a walk with Bruno," I clarify. "While you take your call."

Luca watches my face the way a man watches a bomb he hopes won't go off. "You sure?"

Then his phone buzzes. Once. Twice. A third time, hard.

Luca hesitates. It's only a second, but I feel it—a small, silent war I can't see.

He glances at Sofia, then at the phone, then at me again, like I'm a test he wants to pass.

"You sure?" he asks, and the question isn't permission. It's trust held out like something delicate.

I nod. "I mean, unless Bruno's trained to eat me."

Sofia perks up. "He only eats socks."

"Fair," I say. "Valid diet."

"Alright then." Luca's face softens. He holds out the ball and the leash.

When our fingers brush, a spark jumps straight into my bloodstream and does the Electric Slide.

Don't be obvious, Belle. Don't blush. Don't?—

"Text me if anything—" he starts.

"I'll press 1," I say, because he told me that stupid shortcut on the new phone he gave me, and it lives in my head rent-free. "You're speed-dialed."

Something like a smile ghosts over his mouth. He looks at Sofia. "Pumpkin? Listen to Belle."

"I will, Daddy," she says seriously.

Luca leaves, and Sofia jumps up and down, watching me with expectant eyes.

Twenty-four hours ago, I was contemplating whether to become this man's wife.

Now I'm about to babysit his kid? Life comes at you fast.

Outside, the late morning sun bathes the estate grounds in golden light.

Sofia skips ahead with Bruno, who trots along like he's used to matching his pace to hers.

"Daddy says you're going to be my new mommy," Sofia announces.