A wave of tenderness flooded him as he carried her back to bed. She wasn’t his child, but it didn’t matter. She was going to be his in all the ways that counted. He’d be there for her as she grew up. He didn’t really know what the future held, or what marriage to Kayla was going to be like, but he knew he wasn’t ever abandoning the baby girl in his arms.
Once he had her down again, he went into the bathroom to wash up. A glance at his phone on the nightstand told him it was nearly five, so he left the room again and went to make coffee before putting on his workout gear. He’d have a cup and then he needed to head in and hit the gym before starting the day at HOT HQ.
When he got back up to the kitchen, he grabbed the notepad sitting on the counter and started to write Kayla a note. He wrote about the coffee and the food—he’d stocked up and had a few more things now—and then he continued to write, telling her the things he thought she needed to hear before she started her day.
He hadn’t intended to do it, but one of the things he’d always regretted about leaving home when Lesley was still in school was that he hadn’t been able to be there every morning and counteract his parents’ bullshit. He hadn’t been there to tell her she was pretty and strong and smart—and worth so much more than she gave herself credit for. He’d let her confidence be chipped away by their perfectionist mother, and he still regretted it.
After he finished writing the note to Kayla, he took it to the bedroom and left it on the nightstand, on top of her phone. He wanted it to be the first thing she read when she woke. She lay on her side, her golden hair spread over her pillow, her lashes resting on her cheeks, her mouth slightly open. Ana was asleep too, her little chin quivering as she dreamed about something he’d never know.
Neo tiptoed over to the door and stood there for a long minute, looking at the two women who’d turned his life upside down in the space of days.
It wasn’t what he’d expected to happen. But maybe it was exactly what he’d needed….
Kayla woke shortly after seven. She lay in bed for a second, listening to the sounds of birds and dogs, and the occasional car passing by, before she pushed up on her elbow to look at Ana. Her baby was still asleep. She turned to the side of the bed where Zach had been, amazed that he’d gotten out of the room without either her or Ana hearing him. She ran her palm over the spot in the sheets where he’d lain, and sighed.
When she flipped over to get her phone, she found a piece of paper folded in half. She sat up against the headboard and unfolded it.
Morning, beautiful. Coffee’s made. I bought more groceries so eat what you like. I changed Ana during the night. I think I did it right. You’d better check. I showed her the new room too. I think she’ll love it. Today is the first day you’ll wake up inside a house you’re living in with me, so I want it to be a good one. You’re a beautiful, smart, wonderful woman and a great mom to your daughter. Don’t spend too much time thinking about the past. Think about the future and all you’re going to do. I’ll be here for you. Z
Kayla’s heart squeezed with so much love it was painful. Careful, Kay-Kay. You’re gonna get hurt. You always do.
“No,” Kayla whispered fiercely. “Not this time.”
Zach was a good man, and he wasn’t going to hurt her. He might not love her yet, but he would.
Don’t count on it…
“Stop it,” Kayla muttered to herself before she reread the note again. Writing a note like this one wasn’t the sort of thing a man did when he didn’t care. Sure, she might have begged him to marry her, and he might have agreed because she was in trouble, but they could build something good out of the situation. He’d surprised her with paint for Ana’s room, for heaven’s sake.
Kayla forced down the negative thoughts that came from a lifetime of having her hopes squashed and got out of bed. After a quick shower, she emerged to find Ana crawling around in the crib. Kayla lifted her baby out and took her to the kitchen where she poured a cup of coffee. Then she went and turned on the television, found The Today Show, and retrieved the Pack’n Play so Ana could play inside it while she fixed breakfast.
She was just about done with breakfast when she got a text from Chloe. You dressed? Coming over if so.
Kayla texted back. Yes. I’ll open the door for you.
Kayla was waiting when Chloe came up the steps. She looked gorgeous in a maxi-dress and sandals and she beamed when Kayla pulled the door open.
“Hey, girlie! I was thinking we could ride to work together today.”
“Sure. I can drive if you like,” she said, closing the door and locking it.
Chloe frowned a little. “Well, I was hoping you’d ride with me.”
Kayla blinked. It took her a minute before suspicion dawned. “Did Zach ask you to drive me to work?”
“Ryan called and suggested it would be a good idea, yes. Also, Ella McQuaid can watch Ana today. We can take her over there on the way.”
Kayla’s heart thumped. She knew Ella and liked her just fine, but taking Ana over to her instead of to the salon brought the reality of what
