Page 73 of Backup Plan

“And then what?” Everleigh asks.

“Then what…what?”

Ev rolls her eyes. “When you get the results, what’s the plan?”

I shrug. “I’m taking it one day at a time. One hour at a time.”

“Would you raise the baby with her?” Ivy asks.

I can’t help the face I make at her question.

“I’m guessing that’s a no?” Ev asks.

I laugh. “Yeah, it’s a no. We slept together a few times, and that’s all it was. I don’t want to be with her any more than she’d want to be with me.”

“Doubt that, Liam. You’re a catch.” Ev punches my arm playfully. “So what about the baby?”

“If it’s mine, I guess I’ll figure something out,” I say. “She’s planning to give it up anyway.”

Ivy jumps in. “Maybe I can help.”

I glance over at her. “You?”

“Sure, why not? I’m family, and I’m thinking about moving to San Diego in a couple weeks.” Ivy holds up her hands like I should connect the dots because it all just makes sense, but I’m not fully sure it does.

“Working with VanBrad?”

She nods.

“You’ll have a job there,” I point out. “How will you be able to help me?”

She lifts a shoulder. “My boss is flexible.”

I laugh as I spot Madden over by the buffet table, probably telling the server how to do her job. “Him?”

“No, Kennedy,” she deadpans.

All three of us get a laugh out of that.

“But really, Liam. If you need help, between Madden, Kennedy, and me, one of us can surely help you out. I’ll likely be working from home most of the time, and I can manage a baby in between my work responsibilities.”

“What are your work responsibilities?” I ask, mostly to change the subject and get the attention off the fact that I might have a kid here soon.

Penny walks in and hugs Everleigh as I chat with Ivy.

“Design Coordinator. Madden said design is basically understanding colors and textures, which I have experience with in fashion. So I’ll be building mood boards, helping buyers with upgrades and finishing packages, that sort of thing,” she says.

“And you think you could nanny while doing that?”

She shrugs. “If I live with you, sure.”

“Are you inviting yourself to live with me?”

She rolls her eyes. “I’m inviting myself to help you with your baby, including those middle-of-the-night feedings and all that sort of thing. And also reminding you that I still have four years before I can access my trust fund, so…yeah. I’ll take a free ride with my big bro as long as you keep the sex noises coming from the primary with your randoms down to a minimum.”

Everleigh chooses that moment to walk away, and Penny turns around. Her eyes flash as she overheard everything Ivy just said. I can’t help but choke on something at the back of my throat.

“You okay, Liam?” Ivy asks.