Page 92 of Marrying the Billionaire Single Dad

I frown at her.What a weird remark. Why would she say that?"You…you want a child, don’t you?"

Karina’s shoulders jerk.

Isla makes a noise in her throat.

"I’m sorry," I mumble. "Guess the events of the last few days have me on edge… It’s sent my empathy radar into overdrive, and I’m an artist… And a nanny… Means I sense things…" I shut up. "I didn’t mean to pry."

"No, it’s okay." Karina’s lips twist. "I do want a child, more than anything, but there is no man on the horizon, so…"

"IVF?" Isla ventures.

"Maybe." She shakes her head, "I am trying to work up my courage toward it." She half laughs, "Seems I am more old-fashioned than I thought when it comes to these things."

Tell me about it.I thought I’d be alright with the strange association Damian had proposed. Turns out, I need more. I want to see him more often, spend more time with him, get to know what makes him tick, how he is when he sleeps, when he is composing, when he’s taking care of his child.

"I need to get inside Damian’s house."

Karina stares at me. "You know I can’t help you with that."

"You can." I nod. What has gotten into me? I must have absorbed some of Damian’s authoritarian attitude, for I hold Karina’s gaze. "You believe in the sisterhood, don’t you?"

She frowns. "I wouldn’t have come this far if it weren’t for my mother, and the women along the way who helped me," she says slowly.

"Take one for the team." I tilt my head.

"I can’t put my professional reputation at risk. If word got out..."

"We’d never tell anyone." Isla mimes zipping her mouth and throwing away her key.

Karina folds her arms over her chest. "I can’t believe you’d ask me to do that."

"What were Damian’s instructions to you?"

"Instructions?"

"Yeah, yeah." I shake my hair from my face, "What did he tell you with respect to me? What is it that forced you to become friendly with me?"

Karina’s face flushes. "I admit I befriended you because Damian wanted me to keep an eye on you, but honestly, the more I got to know the two of you, the more I liked both of you."

"We are highly likable." Isla laughs. That woman, she is as friendly as a puppy. She’s already forgiven Karina for starting out this relationship with us under false pretexts. Me? I'm not giving in that easily.

"What else did he tell you to do?" I hold Karina’s gaze.

She scrutinizes my features, "He told me to watch out for you, protect you—"

I nod, "Either you tell me how to get into his place, or I’ll have to break in, and the walls around his place are really high."

"Hmm."

"I may hurt myself." I stab my tongue into my cheek. "And that would make Damian unhappy."

"Very unhappy," she agrees.

"So…?" I hold my breath.

"So," she raises her cup, "at least, let’s finish breakfast first?"

I clink my cup against hers, "Done."