Page 148 of Double Fault

We’re guided into the massive dining room, empty save us. It cost a pretty penny to rent out the space, but since it’s normally a shared dining experience and I want Sabrina all to myself, it’s well worth it.

“Where would you like to sit?”

She turns to me, eyes wide. “This whole room is for us?”

I nod.

The long, wide table isn’t exactly intimate, but the experience will make up for it.

“This is incredible,” she says when we’re seated. “Imagine the things these walls have seen.”

A server brings glasses of water and a wine menu, and shortly after our drinks arrive, the first course is served.

“You’re spoiling me today,” Sabrina says, her smile wistful. “I feel like a princess, but…” Focus lowered to her lap, she shakes her head.

“But?” I prompt, angling forward.

“I miss Maddie.”

Her words warm my heart. How the hell did I get this lucky? This woman cares for my daughter the way I do. I didn’t want to hire her that day she showed up at my house, but Fisher was right. There was no one more suited for the job.

“I do too. But she’s having a great time. Fisher has probably caved and let her have ice cream for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.”

“God, I hope not,” she laughs, reaching for her glass of wine. “She’ll be bouncing off the walls for an entire week if that’s the case.”

Dinner is incredible, and the car has barely pulled away from the estate when Sabrina falls asleep, her head resting on my shoulder.

When we pull up to the hotel, I have to shake her shoulders to wake her.

Slowly, she straightens and yawns. “Oh no.” She blinks rapidly, taking in our surroundings. “Did I sleep on you the whole time?”

Lips quirking, I shrug. “It’s not a big deal.”

She peers down at my shirt and grimaces. “Is that drool? You let me drool on you? This is so embarrassing.”

“It’s fine.” I slide out of the car and help her out. “Let’s head up to bed.”

“Where’s Maddie?” she asks around a yawn.

“Staying with Ebba again. She was thrilled about another sleepover.” I squeeze her hand lightly as we enter the hotel and head for the elevators. “We’ll get her first thing in the morning.”

With her arms looped around me and her chin propped against my chest, she smiles up at me. “You said we.”

I cup her cheeks. “Yeah, I did, Curls.”

“I like that. Being a we. An us.”

My heart thumps out of time. “Hmm, you do, huh?” I tug her into an open elevator.

“Probably a little too much.” She holds up her thumb and forefinger.

“I like it too.”

Face lowered a fraction, she looks up at me through her dark lashes. “There’s a lot of like going on here.”

“Yeah.” I grin, and when the doors open, I tug her out into the hall.

Sabrina yawns as we shuffle toward her door. “I think I could sleep for a hundred years. I’m so full and sleepy.”

---