Page 93 of Flirting with Trouble

“Well, I don’t care who did the stalking,” Jules says. “I’m just glad you’re together and happy.”

“Is that Stevie?” Victory peers into the stroller. Stevie is lying on his back in a white-and-blue striped onesie. He yawns, and his tiny fingers curl into fists. “Look, Wells. He’s even more precious than his pictures.”

“That’s Uncle Wells, thank you very much. Jules, is it okay if I pick him up?”

“Always,” Jules says cheerily. “He loves his uncles.”

“Hey, little buddy,” I say as I pick him up and tuck him into the cradle of my arm. I tickle his belly, and he pulls his tiny legs up. “I want you to meet someone special.” I glance at Victory, and she’s watching me with a dreamy expression, shaking her head. “What?”

She waves a finger at me. “This whole you-with-a-baby thing is…” She puts her hand over her heart and sighs.

Damn, that feels good.

Jules giggles. “He looks good with a baby, doesn’t he?”

“Ridiculously good. Would you mind if I hold him?”

“It’s only fair.” Jules eyes me. “Wells, give my sweet little one to your sweetheart and see how fast your heart goes thumpity thump thump.”

As I hand Victory the baby, I say, “She already makes my heart go…” My words are lost as Victory nuzzles Stevie’s cheek. Her eyes are closed, and she has the most serene expression on her face.

Hell if my heart isn’t doing something funky. I think back to the way she looked at the kids when we were at the aquarium, and on the heels of that comes yesterday’s grief-stricken confession. I started feeling like I might want kids one day, and I’ve been burying those feelings. But then I met you, and…I just feel so guilty.

“See?” Jules says gleefully.

Victory lifts her face, and something in her eyes tells me we’re both tumbling down the same hill, and I ache to reach the bottom first, so I can catch her.

We stop at Rock Bottom on the way to the marina to pick up lunch, and while we’re there, I show her around and introduce her to the staff. She’s her usual easygoing self, and I can tell she likes meeting everyone.

“There’s something to be said about seeing you in your element as a caring and effective boss,” she says as we head to my office.

“You might have to visit more often.”

“Aren’t you worried I’ll dole out demands to your chef?”

I can’t believe she remembers that. “I wouldn’t care if you did.” I tug her into a kiss.

“Guess you’re not cranky anymore,” Meghan says as she comes down the hall.

I texted her this morning to let her know I was taking the weekend off and would be available by phone for emergencies. “Way to call a guy out.” I put my hand on Victory’s back. “Victory Braden, this is Meghan Young, our ever-efficient manager. Meghan is the reason I’m able to open a second restaurant.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Meghan.”

“You as well.” Meghan smiles. “I was hoping I’d get to meet the woman who swept Wells off his feet last night. It’s all anyone could talk about.”

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to cause a scene,” Victory says.

“Don’t apologize,” Meghan reassures her. “If any guy is worth a scene, it’s Wells. You guys have fun this weekend, and don’t worry about a thing. I’ve got this place covered. I have to get back to work. It was great meeting you, Victory.”

When we get to my office Victory says, “So this is where you put on your boss hat.”

“You could say that.”

“I like it.” She checks out the photographs. “I love this picture of everyone together. That has to be Olivier.” She points to him. “He looks as kind as you described him to be.”

“He was.”

She walks over to the window and looks out at the water. “I bet this view never gets old.”