LA

*

slightly as I adjusted the strap of my bag. It wasn't the job that made me nervous. It was the thought of s

. I don't know how to bring it up, but I have to. If I don't, I'll probably blurt it out at th

ed the

Her hair was neatly tied into a low

she asked, eyeing me

arker hired me as a bab

iately. "Ah, yes. He mention

inside a

My.

the house. Because now? Now I couldn't look away. The

magazine, or a high-budget drama where people drink aged wh

floors, with a modern chandelier hanging down in elegant loops of soft gold and glass, like

leading up to the second floor. The walls were painted in soft greys and creams, with b

es were curved and perfectly arranged around a black-glass coffee table, which held a vase of real orchids-real, not fake plastic

piano like that

awking and forced

call Sir," the woman said,

ry. She disappeared upstairs, and I took a few cautious steps inside, soaki

nutes later. "Sir has

ng a little. "Okay...

you're Bel

e Bella," I replied w

little softer now. "Come. I'll

ways, our footsteps soft a

, realizing I'd forgotten to ask

to do. He's a very quiet child. Keeps to himself most of the time. No friends

h... that's

te double door. "We're used to

r giving me a

en and stepped inside-and m

corated with thought. The walls were a soft, misty grey with little white dots scattered across like stars. In the corner was a small bed with a canopy hanging

, and I smiled at the playful detail. A large white tiger plush lay on the floor near a small rug w

e nearby with printed letters. Storage bins and hanging pouches were labe

, pushing toy cars back and forth on a wooden board. He didn't even flinch

ey, I'm Bella Adams. Your dad

Not even

ay

vel. His face was turned away slightly, but when I

like he had been playing all morning. His cheeks

?" I asked softly, eve

Ryan," withou

e was adorable. Like

with me?" I offered, hopi

ad and stayed g

the garden?"

all shake

t's fine. Maybe h

rby where I could still see him. He didn't move, d

going to b

An hour passed-an hour of silence-before I finally found one that seemed o

Ryan. Still play

y, are you hungry? Want

ok his

. The tiniest little g

mirked a little. "Someone

he said

nding. "I'll bring

to the kitchen. Maria was

itchen? I want to make some

r, no. That's not your job. Sir specifica

mething now? I think he's hung

when he's hungry. That boy barely talks to an

oftly. "That's

plate of food. "It is. We've tried, but h

't have the right to pry. Not yet. And not when the man I wanted to ask was s

longest, quietest day of

a glimpse. And the question I wanted to

r. I sat down at the tabl

" I held up my phone to show h

fully, then nodded.

t? You real

t's decent. An

ll the owner tomorrow

ghed. "I'm sorry, Bella. I feel like

top blaming yourself? You didn't as

s what? Remember the guy who helped me that n

You mean the one you g

k into the table

ooh. I love wher

. he's

d her spoo

gine? I slept with my boss. I think. I d

-what the hell do

then he fell on top of me

u pulled him? Damn, girl. You get wild when you

red a

art is? He has a son. A ve

o. That makes it complicated. B

mpletely mad? He'

ot. Haven't you read those spicy novels? Boss

I even tell you th

burn tension, forbidden love, a wedding, more kids, a family-Bel

her shoulder. "You need s

t me. "You'll see. One

In your

made for you. In case the r

hed. "