Page 39 of The Boss and the Adoption Mess

“Shall I read you something?” Best to distract her. With anything. And when she’s asleep, I’ll think of a plan to convince my sister to leave Rosie with me—at least for now. Until I have enough evidence for my lawyer to file the petition. It’s not enough yet. It simply isn’t. Our chances are too slim to risklosing, because if we did… I might not see Rosie for months. Maybe years. And that cannot happen.

“Mm-hmm…” she murmurs.

“TheSmoochies?”

I pull out her favorite picture book with the little colorful elephants. She smiles, and I lie down beside her. She immediately snuggles closely, as I open the book.

“But you have to do the voices,” she insists.

“Of course.” And I am, without question, the best at that.

The next day, though, Catherine arrives well-rested, showered, and sober. She takes Rosie with her, and I can’t stop it. It’s torture. Every goddamn time all over again. A never-ending nightmare that tears my heart apart...

Chapter 9

Kimberley

The doorbell rings. The doorbell rings. On a Sunday morning, just after I’d woken up, still rocking my just-out-of-bed look? God help me if the house isn’t on fire

I shuffle to the door and press the intercom. Yawning, I mumble, “Who’s disturbing me?” It’s barely past three in the afternoon—practically the middle of the night by my standards. I smack my lips, yawn again. Then a voice answers, one I know all too well.

“Your new boss.”

“I beg your pardon?” That can’t be real.

“Gabriel.”

I’m speechless.

“Aren’t you going to let me in?”

I glance down at myself: white and pink unicorn pajamas. Then back at the intercom.

“Uh…”

“I’d like to talk about Rosie. And my offer, if that’s okay.”

“I was sleeping…”

“It’s afternoon?” he asks, baffled.

“Yes. On a Sunday. Normal people sleep all day on Sundays.”

Especially when they’ve been at Chloe’s bar until sunrise killing time.

“Are you going to let me in now?”

“Yes, just a second. Uh… second floor, apartment seven.” I press the button and open the door. Hurriedly, I dash to the bathroom, throw on my white morning robe, and twist my messy hair into a bun. Not perfect, but good enough for letting him in. Once he’s inside, I’ll slip back into the bedroom and change into something more appropriate.

I stand by the door until he appears in the hallway and steps into my apartment. Gabriel smiles at me and immediately scans me from head to toe, clearly surprised, before taking in my open-concept living-kitchen space. It’s a large room. He stands by the kitchen counter, with a view of the couch and two big windows. The bathroom and bedroom are through the door next to us. Small, but nice.

“You’re really not dressed yet?” he asks, surprised. He’s dressed in jeans and a black shirt. Even like that, he looks fantastic. I clear my throat, trying not to look too hungover.

“What did you expect? Black lingerie, ready to open the door for a man like you so you could enjoy the view?” My sassy response makes him smile.

Wait, no argument?

“Sit down.” I close the door behind him. “Help yourself to something from the fridge while I change.”