Page 36 of Solid Ground

“Zoe? You okay?” He pokes his head around the door and smiles.

“I’m fine. It’s just … this isn’t how I imagined all of this.” I wave my arms around.

His grin brings out dimples in his cheeks. “I want to be all in.”

“What does that mean?”

He crosses the room and drops to his knees in front of me. “I mean, all of this. We might not be together, but it’s making me happy to do what I can to make your life easier. You have enough on your plate with the baby and working out your contract.”

“I didn’t know that meant the whole domestication thing.”

Declan chuckles. “I’m not sure how to describe this, but I feel more alive than I have in years. Like I’m really working toward something worthwhile here. A healthy, happy baby with a beautiful woman who I know is going to be an amazing mother.”

I frown. “Don’t you make me cry.”

He pushes himself up until he’s standing. “Only happy tears. I promise.”

“Who are you?”

Cocking his head, his gaze burns through me. “I’m the father of that baby, and I’m not taking my responsibilities lightly.”

For a moment, I can’t drop my gaze from his.

“Relax and enjoy it.” He winks before turning on his heel and heading back into the kitchen.

What the hell is going on?

TEN

ZOE

I’m stillin a daze the following morning.

After a wonderful meal of garlic and herb chicken with the creamiest mashed potato I think I’ve ever eaten, Declan washed the dishes and then retreated to his room to watch television.

I slept better than I have done in ages.

Scrubbing my face with my hands, I head into the kitchen to make some coffee to start the day.

I’m going into work this afternoon to talk to Jason and Chrissie—the owners of the company who bought my app. As I’m partway through the final year of my contract, and this is the year things ease up, I’m hoping they’ll be receptive to the time I’m going to need to take off.

I close my eyes as the coffee machine does its thing, and breathe in the aroma of a freshly made brew before pouring a cup and turning to leave the room.

“Good morning.”

Crash.

The cup shatters when it hits the tiled floor, spraying hot coffee everywhere. A few drops splash on my legs, and they sting but only for an instant.

I shriek, and stand completely still, surveying the damage.

“Oh shit. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to give you a fright.”

I hold up my palms. “It’s okay. It’s my fault. I forgot you were here.”

My racing heart slows and I raise my gaze to take in the sight of Declan standing in my kitchen. He’s shirtless, his pyjama pants sitting low on his hips.

That’s not fair.

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