Page 93 of Marrying the Billionaire Single Dad

Several minutes later, she sets her coffee cup down next to her empty plate and leans forward, "Listen carefully…"

29thDec

Damian

After leaving Julia, I'd called Meredith and asked her to stay the night. She'd agreed. Then I'd gone on a ride to clear my head. Turns out, that wasn't as easy as expected. My thoughts were filled with Julia, what she had come to mean to me, how I want her in my life... All of which is impossible.

By the time I'd made it home, it was dawn.

I'd jumped into the shower and changed into clean clothes, then walked into the living room to find Meredith waiting for me.

"You can't do this on your own, Damian." She folds her arms across her chest.

"I don’t need anyone’s help." I scowl at her as I pace the floor. Some of Riley’s toys are scattered on the carpet. I pick them up and drop them into the box next to the settee. The pink hairband that she’d worn catches my attention. I pick it up, take in the shiny unicorn on it. "Girl’s obsessed with fairytales and rainbows," I mutter. "And that damn Frozen." I shake my head, "I can’t get the lyrics of the song out of my mind." I turn to Meredith, "Do you think Riley would enjoy the books as much as the movies?"

"Damian." She frowns.

I hum the tune from the theme song, then drag my fingers through my hair. "See?" I tilt my head. "That goddam tune is burned into my brain."

"Maybe you should try your hand at writing songs for kids."

I study her expression, "You think so?"

"You’re a born father, Damian."

I swallow the ball of emotions in my throat. "You’re being too kind."

"It’s the only time you act human, when you talk about Riley."

I squeeze my eyes shut. "It’s the only time I feel human." I shuffle my feet, "That’s why, you see, I can’t allow anyone else in. I can’t let anyone else help me with this…situation I am in."

"You’re going to have to give in and get help eventually. You can’t go on like this."

"You’re right," I thrust out my chest, "but surely, I am allowed to treat her as my little girl for a while longer."

Meredith’s forehead wrinkles; she opens her mouth as if to say something then firms her lips. "I’ll call later to check, in case you need my help with anything."

"Thanks." I walk toward her and kiss her cheek. "Thanks for everything. I don’t know how I could have managed without you."

She pats my shoulder, scrutinizes my face. "Damian." Her forehead furrows, "You know how much I care about you. You know the Seven of you are the closest I have to family?"

I nod.

"If I hadn’t come across you kids when you were picking fights on the streets after the incident, I don’t know what I’d have done with my life."

"Meredith," I grip her arm, "you’ve been a quasi-mother to all of us.’

"I could never have my own children, but being with all of you has meant I haven’t miss that part of my life as much as I would have."

I nod.

"And then there’s Peter."

"Peter?" I frown, "Sterling’s chauffeur?"

She nods, a gleam in her eyes.

"What does he have to do with…?" I stare. "Jesus, Meredith," I mutter. "You mean, you and Peter?"