Page 38 of Surprise Baby for Mr. Fischer

She eyed me skeptically. “And you plan to be here the whole time? No films planned or anything like that?”

“No.” Not yet anyway. My agent was always working on something new. That’s why I kept him. “I might have to do a few interviews for the new movie, but we just wrapped up filming, so I should get a small break for now. Besides, living together will help us form a strong partnership.” I was babbling now. Partnership? Who uses that word to convince the woman he’s interested in to move in?

She rubbed at her forehead. “I’m not living with you.”

My stomach tightened, waiting for her to say she also didn’t want to get to know me—that she had been wrong to tell me about the baby.

“But I agree we should get to know each other better. As long as there’s no hanky panky.”

“Hanky panky?” Relief that she hadn’t completely kicked me to the curb flooded my body, adding to my good humor, and I laughed so hard my shoulders shook. I earned a tiny smile from her.

She pointed at me. “You know what I mean. No sex. And no telling my parents you’re the father just yet, or letting the media know or anyone else for that matter.”

I rubbed my hands against my pants. “Uh, Harper, I’ve already told my best friend and my uncle.”

Her hands popped onto her hips. “Can they keep it a secret?”

“Yes, of course.” I kneaded the back of my neck. “It’s going to be hard to hide, though, when I go to appointments with you. I’m assuming people who work there might recognize me.”

She twisted her hands in front of her chest. “That could be a problem. Maybe the doctor could sneak you in the back door or something.”

“Whatever you want me to do.” I would agree with anything she needed to make this work. Her not wanting people to recognize me was a first, and I liked it. Most women flaunted the fact they were on my arm. Harper’s nonchalance about my celebrity status made her even hotter in my eyes.

“Okay. I’ll call the doctor’s office and work something out.”

“When’s your next appointment?”

“Hmm, hold on.” Harper walked behind the counter and grabbed her cell phone. “Ugh, stop jumping,” she muttered.

“Who are you talking to?”

“Oh, not you. The baby’s flipping like crazy right now.” She gave me a smile that rivaled the sun. I’d have appreciate it more if my throat hadn’t begun to close up.

“Oh—” That made more sense.

She bit her lip. “Do you ... do you want to feel?”

My breath caught in my chest, and panic set in. Not what I wanted her to see. I tried to calm my breathing and called on all the acting skills I possessed. “Uh, sure.”

Oh, fuck. Ididn’twant to do this right now. It would make it all too real, too fast. I shuffled forward and kept a smile plastered on my face.

Harper gave me a little come here motion with her hand. “Come on. Hurry up. It doesn’t always last long.”

All I could see was Harper’s belly. I inched my hand out. Heat raced through my body alternating with chills. Sweat slid down my back and beaded my forehead. I prayed Harper didn't notice.

“Oh, wait.” She paused and rubbed her belly.

I gratefully withdrew my hand.

Harper’s head tilted as though she was listening to the baby talking to her. “Aww, I think it’s over. Next time.”

“Absolutely. Next time.” I gave her one last smile, holding in my sigh of relief. “I should go and let you get back to work. See you tomorrow morning at my place?”

“Yes, I’ll talk to my sisters tonight, and we’ll get my schedule sorted out so I can be there. It probably won’t be until the afternoon, though.”

“All right.” I turned to leave and then faced her again. “Harper, thanks again for giving me a chance.”

She nodded.