Page 37 of Better Daddy

I set my phone on the floor and tilt to one side awkwardly, forcing my legs to shift in the same direction so I don’t accidentally flash anyone my underwear. I so shouldn’t have dropped to the floor while wearing a skirt. With my hands on the filthy floor, I ease myself onto my knees. Then I use a shelf to maintain my balance while I climb to my feet.

Finally upright, I snatch my phone and my purse from the floor, and the pink Parisian shower curtain from where it hangs on the shelf, and head for the checkout. “I could go with someone else.”

“Pretty sure you’ve lost the plot, my friend.”

I shrug. “It’ll make me happy. And that’s my goal. To find happiness again,right?”

She narrows her gaze at me. “It’s annoying being lawyered by everyone in my life.”

I giggle. “I’ll see you at home.”

Chapter 14

Sully

“Get down, Dammit.” Brian uses the back of his hand to push the massive cat off his desk. Except Fuzzy Wuzzy, now lovingly known as Dammit, thanks to my best friend, has other ideas. He turns in a slow circle, unbothered by Brian’s cursing and his efforts to force him to the floor, then lies down, his body taking up half of the oversized desk.

Brian lets a slow breath out of his nose and looks up at me. “What?”

I shake my head. “Better you than me.”

The growling sound he makes is typically the kind reserved for Cal, but I stand by my statement. I have enough going on without having to care for a cat the size of a donkey.

“Did you come in here just to mock me?”

“No.” I nod down at the bright blue box in my hand.

Brian frowns at the illustrations of deformed animals on the top.

I pluck out a bright blue rabbit, then a pink sheep, and a red mouse.

“I don’t want those things,” he says, rolling his chair back.

Ignoring him, I set each one on his desk and press down, ensuringthe suction cups keep them firmly in place. When I glance back up, he’s glowering at me.

“They aren’t for you.” He’s not the one who needs a distraction.

“Then why are you putting them on my desk?” He swipes at the blue one, causing it to make a satisfying set of pops as the suction cups release from the wood.

“T.J.’s therapist suggested that we try fidget toys to help curb his impulsive behaviors.”

And that word, impulsive, immediately made me think of another person whose impulsive behavior I’ve dealt with my whole life.

“I thought that maybe if we leave these around the office, Cal will play with them instead of throwing shite at me.”

The laugh starts deep in Brian’s chest. “You bought these for your brother? I can see the appeal for kids, but for an adult? Good luck with that.” Yet even as he says the words, he continues popping the bubbles on the front and back of the bunny.

The cat recoils at the sound and swipes the cup of pens off the desk.

“Dammit.” Brian growls.

I swing into Lo’s office next, because my brother spends more time there than anywhere else. Can’t blame him for that. If Sloane worked in this office, I’d want to be in her presence every chance I got.

“So what?” she’s saying as I approach. “Pregnant or not, you’ll look hot in that dress.”

I freeze, taking in Lo’s profile. She’s looking out the window, her mobile pressed to her ear, obviously talking to my wife. I inch closer, eager to hear more of the conversation, but before she can say more, there is another crash from Brian’s office.

“Dammit.” He growls again.