Page 42 of My Big, Fat, Secret Billionaire Baby

“...overhead.”

Nailed it.

There’s a brief pause. I can practically hear him recalculating.

Home office? Is she serious?

“Home office,” he repeats, sounding intrigued rather than dismissive. “All right. Adaptable. I like it. Your place then. Three o’clock works.”

“Actually, I prefer Zoom for most business. It’s—”

“Like I said,” Mr. Briggs interrupts. “We need discretion. I don’t trust Zoom security, sorry. Please text me your address for three o’clock.”

Pushy, isn’t he?

I suppress a sigh. “All right, I’ll pencil you in for three o’clock.”

“My assistant, Vivian, will coordinate,” he replies smoothly. “Looking forward to it.”

He hangs up.

I stare at my phone.Luca Briggs.I should Google him properly.

But first, damage control.

Operation: De-Babyfy Apartment is a go.

I have approximately three hours to transform this place from ‘lived-in chaos’ to ‘chic, minimalist work-live space.’

I quickly text him my address, then send another text to my goto babysitter, asking if she can make three o’clock. She has a “spare” this afternoon, if I recall.

Just as I’m mentally cataloging stray toys and plotting strategic furniture rearrangement, my phone buzzes again. It’s a text from Mrs. Gable, my usually reliable, sweet-as-pie college student babysitter.

So sorry Sabrina! Woke up w/ terrible bug. Can’t make it today. Feel awful! :( :( :(

Panic, cold and sharp, claws its way up my throat.

She cannot be serious! Today? Now?

I type back frantically:Oh no! Feel better soon!

Liar.

I want to scream, not wish her well.

Her reply is instant:Thx, just need rest. So sorry again!

I sink onto the arm of the couch, the phone slipping from my hand. No babysitter. A high-stakes client meeting in less than three hours. At my apartment. With an eleven-month-old who is currently attempting to gum her way through the bars of her playpen.

Okay. Okay, Sabrina. Crisis management. It’s literally your job.

What are the options?

1. Cancel the meeting.

Nope. Looks unprofessional. And I need the business.

2. Reschedule.

---