Making His Baby(124)

I’m excited for you, sweetie.

I type out another message.

I wish you were here with me.

The original plan was for Winnie to act as my plus one for the duration of the trip. However, her boss overturned his approval for her vacation request at the last minute when a big project came up.

So I’m flying solo. Literally.

I’ll make it up to you, doll. Just relax and soak it in. You deserve this break more than anyone I know. Enjoy every second.

My heart squeezes at her sweet words.

Thanks, hon. See ya in a week! Kisses

Seconds later, my phone buzzes in my lap. I laugh looking down at the screen.

And don’t forget to tell me all about your island fling. I want to hear every detail.

Snickering, I return my gaze back to the window and get lost in my thoughts.

For some reason, Winnie is convinced that I’m going to find a handsome stranger and engage in all sorts of lewd acts during my short stay. She claims I can use the “release” and an island fling is the perfect way to get my feet wet again after such a dry spell.

I haven’t dated anyone seriously in years.

Not since my ex, Jordan, who failed to mention he’d been planning his wedding the whole time we were involved. One morning, I’d logged into my Facebook account during a break at the nursing home and nearly lost my breakfast.

Posted for all our friends to see were photos of Jordan from the previous night, dressed in a tux and looking lovingly at a woman who was not me as he exchanged his wedding vows.

To say I was heartbroken would be an understatement. Shattered was more like it.

Of all the shitty things in my life, I had considered Jordan to be my bright spot. But apparently, I’d only been a distraction from his true love.

The whole ordeal devastated me for months. I’d been so humiliated that I shut down, emotionally and physically.

I’d ended up quitting my job and sleeping on Winnie’s couch for a month. Her tough love had brought me back to life and given me the boost I needed to get back on my feet.

She told me that I was welcome to stay with her as long as I needed, but I had to at least try. She wouldn’t stand by and watch me deteriorate into nothingness.

She was the only person rooting for me and I couldn’t let her down.

So I’d gone out and landed my current job as a live-in caregiver for my eighty-year-old patient, Arnold.

His son, Gavin, hired me because his aging father has dementia and requires around-the-clock care.

The only catch is that I had to move in to the home and make myself available twenty-four seven.

Since I wasn’t dating and led a pretty boring life anyway, I jumped at the opportunity not realizing the physical and mental toll that the long hours and demanding work would take on my body.

I can’t remember the last day I’ve had free time to do more than grab a quick coffee with Winnie, let alone escape my hometown for a week-long vacation.

I’m counting on this trip to revive me in more ways than one. This is the first time I’ve ever left the country and I can’t wait for the adventure ahead.

It seems the universe is finally working in my favor.

A ding sounds and the stewardess appears near my seat seconds later, wearing an easy smile.

“We’ll be landing soon, dear. Is there anything I can get you before our descent?”

“No, thanks,” I answer with a smile of my own.

As we descend, I check my face in my compact and make sure I’m camera ready.

As ready as I’ll ever be.

Moments later, we’re on the ground and I expel a shaky breath.

This is it.

Gathering my purse, I stand and make my way to the door near the front of the plane.

My steps nearly falter when I see the man waiting for me to join him on the tarmac.

Sebastian Downs.





CHAPTER TWO





SEBASTIAN DOWNS





The airplane stairs open and I shove my hands in my pockets, waiting for the winner to be revealed.

A petite figure appears and the cameramen move quickly to capture her every move.

Patiently, I wait as the woman grabs the side rail. I admire her subtle curves in the white dress that stops above her knees.

She’s a tiny little thing but her body is pure perfection.

As she nears, it dawns on me that she looks familiar. Like I’ve seen her face before.

My brain begins working overtime to place her face and when it happens, I’m nearly floored.

Olivia fucking King!

My high school crush and the girl who turned me down for prom a decade ago.

Carefully, I watch her face for any signs of recognition but she only smiles while tossing furtive glances at the cameras surrounding us.

Holy shit.

She looks good.

Exhausted, but good.

Still a dainty little thing, her hair is darker than I remember and her eyes don’t hold the same light they once did, but not much else has changed.