Page 31 of His Surrender

The last thing I want is for him to think I’m taking advantage of this arrangement.

“You don’t have to invite me just because I live here.”

“I’m not.” He says it so simply that it catches me off guard. “I ordered enough food for an army. I’d rather someone eat it than watch half of it end up in the trash.”

I smile. “When you put it that way …”

“Come out if you want. Or don’t.” He shrugs. “No pressure.”

“I’d actually love to.”

“Good.” He starts down the hallway before glancing back over his shoulder. “Oh … and thanks again for today.”

Before I can respond, he’s already disappeared around the corner.

I quietly close my bedroom door for a second, catching my reflection in the mirror.

My hair is a mess.

I somehow managed to wrinkle my T-shirt by sleeping in it.

And yet … a smile spreads across my face anyway.

Dinner with my boss isn’t how I pictured spending my Monday night.

Then again, almost nothing about the last four days has gone according to plan.

When I step into the kitchen, the savory smell of soy sauce and garlic immediately fills the air.

Liana is fast asleep in her swing, one tiny hand curled into a fist as it gently rocks back and forth. The white noise machine hums softly beside her.

“That thing’s definitely her favorite,” I say quietly as I walk past her, careful not to wake her.

Dean glances up from the high-top table tucked against the floor-to-ceiling windows. He’s in the middle of unpacking what looks like enough Chinese food to feed an entire family.

“I thought the contraption looked ridiculous when Frieda insisted I buy it.” He opens another container and shakes his head. “I’ve discovered there’s an entire industry dedicated to convincing new parents they need gadgets for everything.”

“I hate to break it to you”—I slide onto one of the barstools, using the footrest to hoist myself up— “but they’re not entirely wrong.”

He raises an eyebrow. “Oh?”

“Give it another month.”

“That’s supposed to make me feel better?”

“No.” I grin. “Just prepared.”

He huffs out a laugh before peeling the lid off another container. “I might have gone a little overboard.”

I glance across the island. “Might have?”

The table is covered with sweet and sour chicken, beef and broccoli, orange chicken, lo mein, fried rice, and egg rolls.

I look back at him. “Were you expecting twenty people?”

He shrugs his shoulders. “I may have a problem.”

“I can see that.”