Even the Score(72)

“I can’t.” A tight-lipped, sad smile crossed her lips. “I had an accident when I was very young, and I’ve always known I would never bear my own children. I was happy when you hired me and Logan was only a baby, because it was my chance to see a baby grow up. Then, when you had Becca, I was over the moon to have a little girl to take care of. Secretly, I wished for you to have ten more kids. I love taking care of them, especially yours. I was worried when you and Mrs. Shaw got divorced that you wouldn’t need me anymore, because I couldn’t bear to not see them every day. I know they’re your kids, but they are my life, too.”

Her words punched me in the gut like a swift uppercut. I knew she enjoyed my kids, but I had no clue that she couldn’t have her own or that she cared for mine that much.

“Gloria,” I said softly, shaking my head. “I had no idea about any of this. I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t apologize.” She gave me a big smile as she swiftly wiped away a tear that had fallen onto her cheek. “Don’t ever apologize, Mr. Shaw. You’ve given me the best gift anyone has ever given me. A chance to see what it would be like to be a mom.”

I had to swallow twice to get the golf ball–size lump to go down so that I could speak again. “I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, we are the lucky ones, Gloria.” I reached across the table and squeezed her hand.

“So, anyway . . .” She cleared her throat and shook her head quickly. “That’s why I’m not really excited about next week. I like having them around.”

I took a swig of my coffee and chuckled as I set the mug back on the table. “Well, I could always pull them out and you can homeschool them if you want.”

Her eyes grew wide and her mouth fell open just a little. “Oh no, Mr. Shaw. You don’t pay me nearly enough for all that.”

We both laughed, and I took my mug over and set it in the sink.

The distinctive click of high heels on hardwood caught my attention, and I turned around. Dani walked through the doorway, looking fresh-faced and ready to kick the day’s ass. She had on slick black pants and a bright pink button-down, sleeveless shirt that showed off her tan, toned arms perfectly.

“Morning,” she said with a smile. The first genuine smile I think I’d seen on her beautiful face in weeks.

“Good morning yourself. How’d you sleep?”

“It took a while to actually get there, but once I did”—she shook her head slowly back and forth—“it was probably the best night’s sleep I’ve had in weeks. Thank you so much. It was nice not to have to try and sleep with my ears open.”

“Don’t thank me.” I shrugged. “You ready for work already?”

“Yeah, between getting nothing done yesterday and hoping I can sneak out a little early again today to go see Roxy, I want to get an early start.”

“Okay, well, let me grab a quick shower, and I’ll be ready to go.” I started toward the doorway even though I wanted to stand there and stare at her for the rest of the day.

“Actually, I think I’m just gonna go ahead on in,” she called out, making me stop in my tracks.

I took a step backward, leaning just my head into the room. “Huh?”

“I think I’m just going to go ahead on in,” she repeated.

“Um . . . you don’t have a car here.” I took a couple of steps into the room and leaned my hip against the counter, crossing my arms over my chest. “We went from the office straight to the vet to your house and here, remember?”

“Shit!” She stomped her foot on the ground gently and looked around the room. “Wait, do you think my car is okay? Everything happened so fast yesterday I totally forgot that I left it at the garage again.”

“I’m sure it’s fine,” I reassured her. “He would be a complete idiot to do anything to it again. I can call and have someone check on it if you want to be sure?”

“No, that’s okay. We’ll find out when we get there, right?” She let out a heavy sigh as a strand of dark hair fell from her ponytail, landing down the side of her face. She licked her lips as she tucked it behind her ear. “Go ahead and get ready, and we’ll go in.”

I nodded and left the room, headed for the shower.

A cold shower.





CHAPTER 28

Danicka

“Dude, what the hell is going on?” Sadie yelled into my ear when I finally answered my phone. She’d called six times before I’d even gotten to my desk, but my phone was in my purse, and I couldn’t get to it without dropping everything that was in my arms.