It was a busy morning. I was a day behind on baking after being off on New Year’s Day, so I had to bag up the older treats and put them in the clearance bin before baking new ones. Thankfully, Marissa only had one appointment in the salon with a Pomeranian. When she was done, she helped ring customers while I got caught up with the baking.

“So, lovey, you haven’t told me about your hot date with the sexy Wolfe man, time to spill.” I wipe the sweat from my head with my forearm and sigh.

“It’s a very long, complicated story. It’s also why I asked you to help me out today.”

“What? You’re not taking off to shag your new man while I slave here alone in the shop now, are you?”

“Oh my gosh no, it’s not like that. I do need to talk to you about some changes, but I’m going to be late if I don’t leave right now. Call me when you have some downtime this afternoon, and I’ll explain.”

“Why do I get the feeling this is going to be shocking news?”

I shrug and lift my apron over my head. “Probably because it is.”

“Oh Lordy, you know you can’t leave me like this, it’s cruel.”

“It’s not intentional, I promise. Call me, and I’ll fill you in.”

“All right then.” She looks dejected when I grab my purse and coat to rush out. I give her a little wave and scrunch up my face in apology.

I wasn’t lying, I am going to be late if I don’t hurry. I knew I was pushing it when I put in that last batch of Bark Avenue Bone Bakery peanut butter snaps. We had enough, but I have this nagging feeling that I won’t be back for a while, and I wanted to have extra on hand.

I press the button repeatedly on the elevator in my building until the doors slide open. I tap my foot impatiently on the way up and practically peel the doors apart when it stops on my floor. I hate being late. I don’t even like to be on time. I’m an early bird. I leave extra time in my schedule for emergencies.

When I open my door, I’m surprised to find my apartment spotless and baby free. It also appears to be Alex and Faye free, which sparks panic in my chest. Was I supposed to meet him at his house? Am I later than I thought? Did he change his mind?

I run over the morning in my mind. No, I’m sure we were meeting here. “Alex?” I call out slipping out of my coat and tossing it on the couch. I kick off my boots and pad through the apartment to my bedroom and find Alex and Faye on my bed. His long, lean body is stretched out on his side. His feet are hanging off the end, and his legs are crossed at the ankles. He’s dressed in a navy-blue suit with a violet tie that causes his eyes to be more hyacinth than their usual cornflower blue. His beauty is startling, so much that I stop and steady myself against the doorjamb.

Faye is sitting on one of her blankets with toys all around her, but she’s got his Rolex in her hand slobbering all over the expensive timepiece with a huge smile on her face.

He looks up and smiles a confident heart-stopping smile, and I grip the wood around the door. My God, the things he can do to me with a simple glance. “Hi.”

He cocks his head to the side. “Hi, are you okay? You look flushed.” I swear he’s holding back a smirk. I can’t decide if I want to kiss him or shove his shoulder for being so smug. He thinks I’m flushed because of him and not my race to be on time.

“I had to rush to make it on time.”

He wrinkles his nose when he uses the tip of one finger to check the time on his slobbery watch. “Mmm, yes, you’re cutting it close.”

I snort and roll my eyes. “I think I got the short end of the stick with this arrangement today. You two seem to be cozy and relaxed while I’m sweaty from baking a couple hundred dog treats.”

“You’re sweaty?” he says with a predatory growl. “I love it when you’re sweaty.”

“Yeah, well don’t get any big ideas. Jacob’s gone to a shoot, and you need to be out of here ten minutes ago.”

He sighs the sigh of a man being denied his favorite thing. “I won’t be gone long. You have an interview with Kevin Harlow to be your replacement. He has done work for me in the past, and he is very accommodating and thorough. I think you’ll like him, but if not, there are countless others to pick from, so don’t worry.”

“My temporary replacement you mean.”

“Yes, of course.”

“What time will he be here? I don’t like the idea of being here alone with the baby and a strange man.”

“You won’t have to, he will meet you at my house. I’ve sent all of Faye’s things home, and a car will be here to take you both there in an hour.”

“Why can’t we stay here?”

“Hello, Olivia. Interview. Kevin. Alone.”

“Oh right.”

“I want this to be as easy as possible for you. I will take care of everything as long as you take care of Faye.”

“Except for my business.”

He bobs his head back and forth and looks at the ceiling. “Yes, except for your business. Listen, I don’t want anything to happen to the bakery, Olivia. I want to keep you around, but I would never sabotage your life’s work for it. As I said, I’m quite sure we will enjoy being together.”

I’m embarrassed, but I had thought about that. He could ruin me with a snap of his fingers if he wanted to. He’s a very wealthy and powerful man. I still don’t know him well enough to know how far he would go to keep me at his side.

“Thank you for that.”

He stands, smoothing his hands down the front of his jacket before picking up the baby. “I can take her, you go ahead.”

“Thank you,” he looks at me with stern and serious eyes. “I know what you’re giving up, and I am grateful.”

“Temporarily giving up, and you’re welcome.”

He leans into me handing off the baby and kissing me on the mouth at the same time, something I would have thought only a longtime daddy and husband could do. I have a feeling Alex has many talents that I have yet to experience, and I can’t wait to find out what they are.

“I’ll be home as soon as I can.”

I straighten my lips into a doubtful line. “I’ve heard that one before.”

“You can hardly be angry at me for that.”

“True. I’m not. I’ll see you when you’re done working. What time did you say Kevin was coming?”

“Two o’clock. Text me when you’re done and let me know if he is acceptable. Dinner will be at six-thirty. We’re going out. There are clothes and shoes in my closet.”

“I know, I saw them yesterday.”

“There are more now. There isn’t a function you can’t dress for with that wardrobe. Dinner is at Fortitude. Wear the silver dress. I’ll see you soon.” He strolls out of my room and down the hall not allowing me to get a word in edgewise. What if I don’t want to go out to a fancy dinner? What about the baby? What if I don’t like the dress, and where the hell is Fortitude?”

“Wait!” I yell after him just as the door closes. Dammit, why does he do that? He has to know I’ll call or text him anyway. Why not let me get what I have to say off my chest in person?

Because he doesn’t want to argue that’s why. I slip my phone from my pocket and choose his number from my contact list. He answers on the first ring. “Miss me already?”

Oh brother. “No, I had a few questions, but you bolted.”

“Ask away.”

“Are we taking Faye to dinner with us?”

“No, I’d like to formally announce her to the press myself. Greta has offered to watch over Faye for a few hours so we can have dinner.”

“You’re sure that’s okay? She’s older, you know? She might not have the energy for a baby.”

“She insisted. Anything else?” He answered so quickly I scramble to remember what else I wanted to ask him. “What’s Fortitude?”

“A new restaurant downtown. Their food is perfection, you’ll love it. Is that everything?”

I don’t feel like arguing about him buying me clothes and picking them out so I say yes, and we disconnect the call when Faye starts to cry.

“What’s the matter, baby cakes?” I bounce her on my hip and walk to the kitchen for a bottle. Alex forgot to tell me when she last ate, but I’m not calling him back again today. I scan the counter for her schedule and find it with two tiny jars of baby food on top and a note.

This is what I want for lunch. I told my daddy, so he could tell you. I also need half of a bottle and a nap when we get home. Thank you for taking care of me, Olivia, I love you.

I realize the note is supposed to be from the baby, but the last line makes me apprehensive. Why is he pushing so hard and moving so fast? All his wedding references and ‘L’ words are freaking me out.

“Your daddy is pushy, Faye,” I say to her opening the jars of baby food and pulling out a pre-made half bottle of formula. “And prepared and organized, too.”

She nuzzles her face into my neck, and her dark, wavy hair tickles my cheek. Poor baby lost her mama and doesn’t know what’s going on. My heart aches for her.

I think she senses my sympathy and whimpers against my skin causing me to set down the baby food and squeeze her tight. “We will take good care of you. I’m not your mama, but I will do my best to make you happy.”

I kiss her on the forehead and go about warming her food and feeding her. I don’t have a highchair, so I pull up a bar stool and sit her on the granite island in front of me. Things go okay until she tires of the baby food and reaches for her bottle while crying. I wipe her down before giving it to her, and that really pisses her off, but eventually, we crash on my bed and nap for an hour or so.

I open my eyes and look at the clock. It’s almost time for the car to take us to Alex’s, and Jacob isn’t home yet. I wanted to tell him my plans in person, but it looks like a phone call will have to do. He won’t be happy. He doesn’t like living alone, that’s why we moved to Seattle together.

I check my messages while Faye sleeps and find two from Marissa. She’s probably going out of her mind wondering what’s going on. I build a pillow and blanket wall around Faye and step into the hall to call Marissa.

Fifteen minutes and a half dozen Oh my Gods and gasps later, she’s up to date on what’s happening and looking forward to meeting my potential temporary stand-in, Kevin. Marissa’s forever looking for a husband. She’s fussy and particular. No one has met her standards yet, but I admire that about her.

I hear a squeak from the bedroom and peek around the door. Faye is sitting up in her nest of pillows looking around probably wondering where she is. “Hey, little one, I’m right here,” I say getting her attention and waving at her. She squints for a second and then smiles reaching her little arms out for me.

“I think my heart just melted like butter. I have to go, she’s awake.”

“Aw, I never thought of ya as a mum, but you sound like you’re in love. Maybe with more than one of the Wolfe’s, hmm?”

I pick up the baby, and she screeches with delight. “You sound just like him. Talking about love and marriage, and we’ve been on one date and known each other for a week.”

“What? Marriage? He popped the question already?”

“Oh God, no, but he keeps threading it into conversation casually like he’s feeling me out.”

“Don’t complain, it’s hard to find someone compatible. In my case, it’s damn near impossible.”

“So you don’t think it’s weird?”

“I never said that. He’s forward and presumptuous for sure, but he knows a great woman when he sees one, and that makes him good in my eyes.”

“Thanks, Marissa. This is all so overwhelming, I really needed to talk to a friend.”

“No worries, love. Now go hire me a hot helper and take care of your pack of wolves. I’ll see you soon.”

“Okay, bye.”

“Bye, bye.”

I change Faye’s diaper and bundle her up to go downstairs and wait for our car. On the way, my phone vibrates in my pocket. It’s Alex calling. “How are my two favorite ladies doing?”

“Well, aren’t you taking to the family life? We’re waiting for the car to go to your house.”

“I’d like you to think of it as your house, too.”

“Alex…” I say my voice filled with warning.

“What?”

“Too much, too fast.” I feel like I’m not even living my life anymore. Suddenly, I have a baby, a boyfriend, a puppy, and now he wants me to consider his priceless mansion my home. No, too much, too fast.

“I want this, Olivia.”

“What about what I want?”

“You want this, too. You’re just too stubborn to give in and let it happen.”

“I am not too stubborn. I’m trying to be realistic and reasonable, and I’m trying to hold onto the life I’ve built for myself. I can’t do this if you keep pushing me so hard. I just can’t.”

“Okay, calm down. Nothing has changed in the past five minutes we have been on the phone. You’re getting all worked up for nothing. Go to my house and make yourself comfortable, interview Kevin, and play with Faye and Lady and the other dogs, and I’ll be there soon. Everything will be all right, you’ll see.”

The car pulls up outside, and we disconnect the call with tension still between us. “Come on, Faye, your daddy wants us to go home,” I say to the unsuspecting blue-eyed beauty. “It’s time to set down some rules.”