“That was fast,” Drew said.
“I don’t like to waste time.” And she hated that she forgot something as important as a client meeting. Now her heart wanted to join the chaos too. But distractions like emotions could ruin her goals. She would not let that happen again. “Brooke was more than willing to do the babyproofing for us.”
“Fair enough, but we have work to discuss.” Drew tapped his briefcase.
“We also have toys to find and a move to complete.” And her work armor to put on. Molly waved the sock and picked up her partly packed suitcase.
Drew’s eyebrows pulled together. “How are you planning on getting to Brooke and Dan’s house with all this?”
“I’m really hoping you drove here” He wasn’t dressed for moving in his button-down shirt and navy dress pants. She wasn’t dressed for business yet, but everyone had to adjust sometimes. “You did drive, right?”
He nodded, a slow up-and-down motion of his chin. “My life is on the line. All of our futures are on the line.”
“I’m fully aware of the stakes.” Molly stepped into his space, settling into her standoff stance. Toe to toe. Briefcase to suitcase. Mom to lawyer. “We do this. Hazel naps. We get to work uninterrupted. You’re still new to this, I’m not.”
Certainly, by then Molly would remember the boundaries of their relationship. Certainly, by then she’d stop noticing the silver shards in his light blue eyes. Stop considering the fatigue framing him like a shadow. Stop the concern building inside her for him. As if he meant something more to her than a client.
Drew’s gaze shifted to Hazel. A large yawn traveled through the little girl, sighing into the small space between Drew and Molly. Drew’s chin lowered. “Look, baby blue. You only get to win once. This is it, understand?”
Hazel reached toward Drew, handing him her frozen washcloth as if to thank him.
Molly stiffened, refusing to surrender to his charm.
Drew shook his head, a soft smile curving over his face. His piercing all-too-perceptive gaze locked on Molly.
Something inside her chest unlocked. But that was only the mom inside her responding. The nurturing side she hadn’t known existed until Hazel had arrived. Work Molly would remember the risks. Recall Drew’s faults and secure her heart from them.
“I’ll find the toys,” he said. “You find the missing clothes.”
Thirty minutes later, with the last of the three large suitcases zipped closed and stacked on the luggage cart, Hazel and Drew traded a blue plastic ring and green stacking cup back and forth on the couch. Hazel’s delighted babble bounced around the room. Drew revealed what seemed like endless patience. And the twinge in her chest—the one that had her forgetting Drew was a peer and off-limits—grew.
She concentrated on the lost items inventory and tucked the last of the matched sock pairs into a suitcase pocket. “I think that’s everything.”
Drew picked up Hazel and helped Molly secure her into the baby carrier. He tapped Hazel on the nose. “Time to get our move on, baby blue.”
“I’m not sad about leaving our hotel suite.” Molly followed Drew out into the hall. He pushed the full luggage cart toward the elevators. She added, “But I will miss the daily housekeeping.”
Drew laughed. “Don’t tell Brooke. She’ll arrange something to make your stay more comfortable.”
“She’s already done enough to ensure we are comfortable.” Molly had yet to meet her new landlord. But she’d liked Brooke immediately on their phone call. Molly pressed the elevator call button. “I appreciate the introduction.”
“Brooke and Dan Sawyer are good people.” Drew maneuvered the luggage cart into the waiting elevator. “You’ll be safe there.”
Molly pressed the lobby button, distracted Hazel from touching every button on the panel and glanced at Drew. “Do I need protection?” she asked warily.
Drew gripped the luggage cart. His gaze remained fixed on the descending numbers flashing on the elevator screen. “Let’s get you and Hazel moved in and then we can talk without distraction, like you said.”
Hazel gripped Molly’s thumbs. One in each of her small fists. Molly curved her fingers around her daughter’s and drew their arms together for a hug. As if that would shield them from Drew’s somber attitude. The day she’d heard Hazel’s heartbeat for the first time, she had vowed to protect her child with everything she had. That had not changed.
She would represent Drew and defend herself and Hazel from external threats and invisible ones that could be even more dangerous. If she had to lock down her heart too, so be it. She was committed to her career and Hazel. That was more than enough to fulfill her.
Drew rolled the luggage cart off the elevator and through the lobby. Molly walked over to the valet’s station.
“No wait time.” Drew grinned at Molly and tipped his head toward a silver truck. “In the city, large trucks don’t usually get parked in the garages.”
It took only a few minutes and the luggage was stored in the truck bed. Molly muttered and for the fourth time unsuccessfully yanked Hazel’s car seat into place.
“Are you sure I can’t help?” Drew stood behind her, entertaining Hazel. His voice cheerful.
“I got it.” Molly scooted farther into the truck and tugged on the seat belt.
“Maybe if you...”
The seat belt snapped back against the frame and frustration snapped through Molly. She jumped out of the truck and faced Drew. “How many car seats have you ever installed in your truck?”
Drew lifted Hazel until they were eye to eye. His voice lowered into a not-so-quiet whisper. “Here’s another lesson, baby blue. Your mom is a take charge sort of person, which is perfectly fine, except when I can lend a hand when she seems to need it.”
“Hey, I just like to get things done.” Molly tipped her chin up, but she’d already lost the edge of
