Page 36 of Accidentally Sliding Into A Second Chance

The corner of my mouth lifts as I think about David telling me all the reasons this arrangement would work for him. Between Scarlett and Emmy he’s in over his head.

David:

They were in my duffel bag.

A huff of laughter erupts, and I cover my mouth. I’m not surprised, Emmy was a minx at the rescue.

Cat:

You could always hire a nanny…

David:

I kind of am

Cat:

Hey!

David:

But they wouldn’t have your dog wrangling skills.

I need those desperately.

I re-read his last text, a smile tugging at my mouth. Just talking with him has my pulse slowing and the queasiness in my stomach settling.

David:

Mutually beneficial, remember?

I exhale heavily and let his calmness wash over me.

Cat:

Mutually beneficial.

“Cat,” Hope pops her head in. My gaze flips to hers, and I see her shoulders drop. A smile crosses her lips. “Travis called. They’re ready for you.”

“Thanks, Hope.” Grabbing the tablet, I get up, tugging my shirt down and rubbing any wrinkles from my pencil skirt.

“You’re gonna do great,” Hope says, beaming at me, and I give her a tight nod. “Do you want me in the meeting with you?”

“No,” I say quickly. “But can you bring me a bottle of water?”

“You got it.”

I watch her walk toward the kitchen as I head toward the conference room. My stomach churns, and my palms start to sweat.

I’m not worried about the presentation, but telling them I’m getting married. My limbs get heavier the closer I get to the conference room door.

When I reach it, I stand frozen, unable to make myself knock on the door.

Breathe, Cat, Breathe. Oh geez, what am I thinking?I’m gonna get fired!

The door pulls open, and Travis’s smile falls into a look of concern as he glimpses my expression. “Cat, are you okay?”

My hand is still in the air, mouth agape, and words nowhere to be found.

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