Page 68 of Accidental Doctor Daddy

I still didn’t want to tell him, though. He’d hate me forever, and I couldn’t blame him for that. But he was a good man. He wouldn’t take that out on the girls. This would crush only me and him.

I shook off the grim thought and opened the front door. An evening hush greeted me—plus the faint whir of a fan.

“Ms. Green,” Amanda, the nanny, greeted me with a warm smile, gently rocking Summer in her arms. “Everything went smoothly. No issues at all.”

They were fine, but I wanted to cry. I cleared my throat before saying a heartfelt, “Thank you.”

She handed me a report of diaper changes, feedings—God, so official—and I realized Dom’s money had bought the best.I hate feeling indebted, but I’d be lying if I said this wasn’t a lifesaver.

With the twins settled, Amanda headed home, leaving me in the quiet. My shoulders sagged.No meltdown from them.

Just one for me.

I was failing as a mom and failing at work and failing at romance.

I collapsed onto the couch, phone in hand. I typed a quick message:

Babies are good. Nanny’s a pro. I’m exhausted, and I owe you a big conversation soon.

Dom:I’m here whenever you’re ready. We’ll talk on the date if that’s okay.

My heart hammered.Sounds good.

I stood, crossing to the window, arms folded. Outside, the city buzzed with life, neon signs flickering. My reflection stared back—tired. I looked bone tired.

Sighing, I raked a hand through my hair. “Screw it,” I muttered. “If I can handle a new nanny and a mouthy temp, I can handle telling Dom about Leo.”

Chapter 26

Dom

The hostess barely glanced at me when I walked in—which was exactly how I wanted it. No last names, no handshakes, no special treatment. Just a quiet nod and a “this way, sir,” as she led me through the low-lit dining room toward a secluded table in the back.

Ella had insisted we meet here instead of arriving together—just in case. Her words, not mine. The nanny had the twins at home for a trial evening shift, and this was supposed to be our night.

Our first real date. One night to pretend we were just two normal people, out for good food and better company. No secrets. No lies. No baby monitors. Just us.

But she was late and I was getting worried she wouldn't show. I downed my whiskey to calm my nerves but nothing could have prepared me for the moment she finally did walk in.

She was radiant.

Curves wrapped in silky black fabric that hugged her hips like a second skin. A neckline that teased just enough cleavage to make my mouth go dry. Her hair was pinned up, loose tendrils falling around her face, and her lips were stained a deep red that made me want to ruin her makeup in the backseat of my car.

I stood immediately, drinking her in like a man dying of thirst. “Jesus, Ella.”

She blushed, but her eyes sparkled. “Is that a good Jesus or a too-much-cleavage Jesus?”

I stepped around the table and reached for her coat. “It’s a how-am-I-supposed-to-make-it-through-dinner-looking-at-you Jesus.”

She rolled her eyes but smiled as I slid the coat from her shoulders, revealing the full curve of her ass as she turned. My cock stirred. Of course it did. I guided her to her seat with a hand on the small of her back, letting it dip slightly lower than polite.

The host handed us menus and poured the wine I’d pre-selected, then said with a warm smile, “It's always lovely to see a father and daughter out with each other.”

“Date,” I snapped, a little too fast.

A beat of silence.

Ella snorted. She actually snorted. “Wow, that’s one for the scrapbook.”

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