Yesterday I slept with my boss. After we did the deed, I pulled my clothes on and rushed out of his house without so much as a goodbye. What do I do now? I need that job to pay for school. And little Chelsea is my world. She’s the most adorable little girl ever.

Rolling over, I notice it’s already nine in the morning. It’s winter break and since I have nothing better to do, I find myself wanting to go over to Austin’s place and spend the day with Chels, but to see him again would be embarrassing.

I’m not sure why, but all I want is for this to blow over. Even though I know it won’t. The buzzing of my phone drags me from my thoughts of what I’m meant to do. When I pick it up, I notice the name flashing on the screen. Hitting ignore, I settle under the covers, hoping he’ll go away, but he doesn’t. My phone rings again, alerting me that Austin is calling.

Inhaling a deep breath, I swipe my thumb over the screen. “Hello?” My greeting is tentative, nervous, and I know he can hear it over the line.

“Thank God. Lily, I need your help. Please?”

He sounds frantic and my heart thuds in my chest. Fear that something has happened to Chelsea makes me cringe at the thought of me hiding from him when he needed my help.

“What’s wrong?” Immediately I’m swinging my legs over the edge of the bed, ready to pull clothes on and rush to his rescue.

“I need you to come over. Please?” Without waiting for my response, he hangs up, leaving me gaping at the phone.

“Ugh!” My sweatpants are lying on the chair beside my bed, so I grab them and tug them up my legs. The white tank top I normally wear for gym is next, and once I’ve pulled those on, I rush into the bathroom to freshen up.

A couple of minutes later, I race down the stairs to find my mother sitting at the kitchen table reading a magazine. Since she’s been home after her knee operation, she’s been listening to the doctor and taking it easy. Needless to say that my dad would have a fit if he knew she did so much more around the house than she’s meant to. I help when I can, but my mother is stubborn and making sure she sits back and relaxes is not an easy feat.

“Hi, honey.” She smiles as I enter the kitchen. “Where are you going so early?”

“Mr. Bailey called. He needs my help with something.”

“Poor man. That good for nothing wife left him with a little girl, you know.” Mom shakes her head as if she’s angry for Austin.

Perhaps my parents wouldn’t be against me dating him. Shaking the thought out of my head immediately, I grab a bottle of water and listen to her chatter on about him.

“If he can find a good woman to be there for him it would make all the difference.”

My heart plummets. What did I think? They’re just going to send me off to live with a man who’s more than ten years older than me and his daughter?

“I know, Mom. I have to go.” Planting a kiss on her cheek, I race out the door, toward my car. I could walk, but if it’s an emergency, I’d rather get there sooner rather than later.

Moments later I’m pulling into the driveway. Austin rushes out of the front door, pulling on his white coat. A doctor. So sexy. I exit the car and take him in. His hair is messy in a just fucked way. As soon as the thought enters my mind I can’t stop the blush that heats my cheeks.

“Hello, Lily. Thank you so much, Shortcake. I have an emergency at the hospital. I’ll be back as soon as I can,” he tells me absentmindedly. Leaning in, he plants a kiss on my lips and rushes to his car.

Spinning on my heel, I watch him slip into the driver’s seat of his SUV without thinking about what he’s just done.

“Lily and Daddy sitting in a tree!”

Cringing at Chelsea’s little sing song, which she seems to want to tell the whole neighborhood, I turn to her.

“Shh, come on. Let’s get you inside, missy.”

She giggles, racing into the house without waiting for me. I’m still in shock when I step inside the house.

“Where are you?”

“In here!”

I find her sitting in the living room watching cartoons. Thankfully, this gives me a moment to recover from Austin’s kiss. I’m sure he didn’t mean to do that. Did he?

I suppose, we did have sex. The best sex I’ve ever had, but then again, I don’t have much experience to go on. My ex wasn’t exactly experienced. Neither was he a divorced man with a child who’s obviously had years of practice.

“Lily.” Chelsea’s gentle tone comes from behind me.

When I turn to regard her, she’s watching me with the inquisitive stare that only a child can don.

“Are you and Daddy boyfriend and girlfriend?”

“No, Chels. What makes you say that?”

“He kissed you like he would kiss a girlfriend. Like they do on TV. Daddy likes you.” She smiles then, happy with herself divulging something that I don’t think her father would want her saying.

“What do you mean, sweet pea?”

She shrugs. “He doesn’t kiss girls on the mouth. Only you.” Children have a way of noticing everything. And I mean everything.

“I’m sure he didn’t mean to. Besides, how many girls do you see your daddy with?” I question. More because I want her to tell me that I’m the only girl she’s ever seen him with, but then again, that reminds me I’m a girl. I’m not a woman who can seduce a man like Austin Bailey. The thought of last night, how gentle he was with me, how much time he took to ensure I felt pleasure only alights the need I have for him even more.

“I want him to,” she confesses in a whisper as if he’s here and he can hear her.

“And why is that?” Crossing my arms in front of me, I crouch so I’m at eye level with the little munchkin. If he knows she wants me to be here, perhaps that would persuade him to give this a try. There are too many obstacles, though. My parents, for one, will not take the news as easily as I would hope.

“Because you can be my mommy,” she says nonchalantly, like she’s just told me she wants a grilled cheese for lunch. Her words still my heart.

I’m only twenty and I’ve never given a thought to having kids. At least, not yet. But with her, it comes easily. Naturally. And with Austin, it causes my heart to stutter against my ribs. His touch, his kiss, his smile, and his daughter.

Would I be able to do this? Be a mother?

“Listen to me, Chelsea, grown-ups are difficult. Sometimes it’s not as easy as liking someone. Maybe we should keep this our little secret. Don’t tell your daddy until he’s ready,” I tell her. Sighing, I realize how stupid I am. I’m trying to convince a five-year-old that her father needs to make his own decision regarding his love life.

As much as I want her to be right, I know it’s up to him to confess. He has to tell me what he wants. Because after last night, I know what I want. And that’s him and his little girl.

“We’ll keep a secret.” Chelsea giggles, pressing her finger to her lips. “Shh. Daddy is a boy and boys don’t listen to secrets.” In her mind, this is as innocent as playing with her dolls. But to me, it’s so much more.

“Why don’t you go watch your cartoons? I’ll make us something for lunch, okay?”

She nods and leaves me in the kitchen with my thoughts. Perhaps I can make him a lovely dinner for when he gets home tonight.

Maybe, just maybe, I can seduce him. With my cooking skills and desserts. Smiling, I head to the fridge to ensure I have what I need for dinner. And once again, shortcake will be on the menu.