The last thing the girls needed was to see the woman they depended on ditch them for a month to go shack up with some guy. They’d seen too many people in their lives walk away, and not come back. She’d never do that to them.
She’d been young when she’d been left at an orphanage herself, but she remembered standing there, knowing she’d been left, knowing she was alone in the world. When her adoptive parents had come along, it had been better for a while. And then her mother died. She’d been abandoned again. She still had her father, but after her mother’s death, he’d been different. Too wrapped up in his own grief to realize the pain his daughter was in. Realize that to her it was like being left at that orphanage all over again.
She’d never voluntarily leave her girls for any length of time, for any reason, but she didn’t need to explain her reasoning. It was none of his business.
Luca shook his head, looking at her like she was crazy. “And your family had nothing to say about you doing this? Throwing your life away for a bunch of kids you have no real ties to?”
Constance glared at him. “I did not throw my life away, and yes, my family was a little shocked when I decided to become a part of the program.”
That was an understatement. It had been like she’d announced she was having a child out of wedlock…times six.
“They got over it. Look, I know some people,” she said, pinning Luca with a glare again, “might find this…unusual. I knew what a huge step I was taking, basically adopting six kids. But the need is so great. So many children need homes, someone to love them, care for them. And they’ve been nothing but a blessing in my life. Caring for my sweet girls was the best decision I’d ever made.”
Luca shook his head again. “Seems like it would put a damper on your social life.”
She sighed. Yes, it made the prospect of dating nearly impossible. There weren’t many men who were willing to date a woman with six children in tow, but that didn’t matter all that much to her. “I don’t expect someone like you to understand. I’ve never regretted my decision. I’m not just going to ditch my girls to come play house with you.”
“Fine. They can stay here too then. I’ve got a whole guest wing that is never used. There is more than enough space. Besides, wouldn’t opening my home to orphans buy me some bonus points?”
The calm and collected Joseph actually did a double take look at his boss. She guessed neither of them saw that one coming, but then he pursed his lips and nodded. “Strictly from a PR standpoint, it couldn’t hurt.”
“Of course it would hurt!” Constance said, her mind reeling. “How am I supposed to keep the girls from thinking this whole thing is real if we are all staying in your house and I’m sleeping in your bed.”
Luca shrugged. “They’ll be on the opposite side of the house, and you seem the type to be the last one in bed and the first one awake.”
She grimaced at him. “You say that like it’s a bad thing.”
“It is. In any case, I’m sure it’ll be easy enough to keep our sleeping arrangements from disturbing the little darlings. Tell them you’re sharing a room with your housekeeper woman. They won’t know the difference.”
The man was crazy. Insufferably crazy. End of story.
He blew a breath out. “I’ve never had to work so hard to get a woman into my bed,” he muttered.
Constance rolled her eyes. “I bet.” He winked at her and she stifled an exasperated groan. “I am not sleeping in your bed.”
“Have it your way. There is a sofa in there. Should be comfortable enough for you.”
“I’m the guest. Maybe you should take the sofa,” she mumbled.
The half grin was back. “Hey, I offered you the best bed in the house. The offer still stands.”
She almost answered his smile with one of her own. It was disturbingly difficult to keep brain on the right track when he was trying to be charming. “If it comes with you in it, I’ll take the sofa.”
He shrugged. “Suit yourself.”
“This is insane.” She rubbed her temples.
“You act as though I’m asking you to stay in some condemned shack. Would it really be such a sacrifice to stay here for a few weeks?” he asked, gesturing at the luxury that surrounded them.
It wasn’t staying in the house that bothered her. It was staying with him. But as she had no intention of admitting that she ignored the question. “I don’t know if I’d even be allowed to bring them,” she said.
Luca waved that comment off. “I’ll make sure it’s all arranged with your directors. A sizeable enough donation should make any objections go away.”