Page 21 of The Housekeeper's Billionaire Boss
“Fertility? Really?”
He drew a cross over his heart. “I promise. At first, I was like, what exactly were you talking about? Then it hit me. Oh man.”
“Stop, stop, stop,” she said and groaned. “Oh, my sides.” She took a deep breath and stretched. “I haven’t laughed like that in I don’t know how long.”
“Me either.” He yawned.
“Did you not sleep well?” she asked.
How could he tell her without making her feel guilty? Short answer: he didn’t. “Um…I slept okay.”
She crossed her arms over her chest. “That’s not true.” Stepping into him, she palmed the side of his face and ran her thumb across his cheek. “What was wrong?”
“I think I’m programmed to wake up with Ellie.”
Her jaw dropped.
Shaking his head, he covered her hand with his. “No, it’s okay. I hope this doesn’t make things weird, but…I love her. I’d get up with her a hundred times a night.”
Her lips parted just slightly, and she whispered, “Josiah…”
He dropped his hand and lowered his gaze. “I shouldn’t have said anything. I’m sorry.” He felt hollowed-out. He could already hear the pulling away.
“Yes, you should have.” She lifted on her toes and kissed his forehead. “You are without a doubt the most special man I’ve ever met. Ellie is a lucky little girl to have you in her corner.”
Lifting his gaze to hers, he smiled, relief filling him. But it wasn’t lost on him that she’d called him special. He’d heard those words before, and they were used for guys who’d been permanently friend-zoned. He already knew that’s where she’d put him, but that word was the nail in the coffin.
Even if she did like him, which he suspected Carrie Anne was just being her typical matchmaker self, it didn’t mean she thought of him as more than a friend. It wasn’t just her either. Ellie was in the equation. He needed to keep his distance if for no other reason than he didn’t want to jeopardize his friendship with Molly.
Friends wasn’t great, but he could live with it. What he couldn’t do is live without either Molly or Ellie. That little girl was a done deal, and her mom wasn’t far behind. In his mind, a woman who could play rock, paper, scissors, lizard, Spock was a keeper.
His heart hiccupped. He was falling for Molly. The one perfect girl for him. She didn’t want to date, and he couldn’t date. His timing was about as good as his ability to pick food delivery. Horrible.
* * *
With one last mirror check,Molly walked out of the bathroom. Taking turns getting up with Ellie had done wonders for Molly. She felt more refreshed and put-together than she ever had. When she and Josiah played rock, paper, scissors, lizard, Spock, she was sure he cheated somehow.
As she reached the door to his room, she softly leaned against the frame, watching him with Ellie. He was in the middle of the bed, propped on his elbows, kissing her cheeks and talking to her. It was so sweet.
Ellie batted at his nose and then held the tip of it.
“Yeah, that’s my nose. You have one too,” he said and touched the tip of her nose with his finger.
She babbled, and he chuckled. “Baby translator activated. You got it right. Nose.” He kissed one cheek. “You.” He kissed the other. “Are.” He kissed her forehead. “So stinking adorable.” He smothered her with kisses all around her face.
As Molly stood there, it took no effort at all to see him next to her. When she’d called him special, she’d meant it. Somehow, this incredible man had followed her out of a coffee shop, given her a job, and invited her into his life—a life with a family she’d only ever dreamed of belonging to.
On top of all that, helovedEllie. As horrible as he was with a poker face, it hadn’t been a shocking revelation. What man would get up with a baby if he didn’t have some connection with her?
It was scary; she couldn’t deny that. What if he got angry with Molly and decided he was done? She couldn’t picture him actually doing that, but as a kid, she’d learned that just because she couldn’t see it happening didn’t mean it wouldn’t.
Josiah turned his attention to Molly and smiled. “Hey. You look great.”
“Yeah, because runway fashion is a faded Metallica t-shirt and jeans.”
“I’ve seen the runway. I prefer your look.”
She walked to the bed and sat beside him, putting her finger in Ellie’s hand. “Hi, Ellie.”
