Chapter One

Emma

“Welcome to Coffee Shack, Mrs. Johnson.” Emma greeted her next customer with a smile. “Your usual?”

The woman in a suit nodded, barely looking up from her phone. That was typical here. The coffee shop was located on the first floor of a downtown skyscraper with all sorts of important businesses filling the offices upstairs. W&W BabyCo held most of the floors, but there was also an internet company and a well respected law firm in the building. Everyone who came for coffee was usually busy with some sort of important work.

“Grande triple mocha with almond milk,” Emma called out, taking Mrs. Johnson’s money. Emma handed the card back with a smile that Mrs. Johnson hardly acknowledged before stepping to the side for the next person to order. Emma grinned as she realized it was her best friend.

“Hi, Grace,” Emma said warmly to her friend. “Hi, Sammy,” she said, waving to the little boy on Grace’s hip. “What can I get you?”

“I need an extra shot today, Emma,” Grace told her, hiking the baby up higher on her hip. “Sam here is working on a new tooth and decided that he didn’t want to sleep last night because of it.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that,” Emma replied, writing the order on a paper cup. She added a plus one to the shots. “It’s a dollar extra for the shot. My poor Sammy.”

Grace reached into her pocket and rummaged around before shaking her head and sighing. “Never mind. Take the shot off. I don’t have any extra today.”

Emma glanced over at her busy boss and then back to her customer. “The extra shot’s on me, then,” Emma whispered.

“You are a saint,” Grace told her, handing Emma her coffee card. The look of relief and gratitude coming from the young mother was more than enough payment for Emma. “I’m just so tired today. I’d forget my head if it wasn’t attached. I thought I had an extra dollar in my pocket.”

“It’s my pleasure. Can he have a C-O-O-K-I-E? We have samples today,” Emma said, spelling out the word so she wouldn’t get Sam in trouble.

“He’d love some cookie,” Grace told her with a smile. “It’ll feel good on his teeth.”

Emma went to the cookie display and picked out the most colorful one. She carefully wrapped it up in a bag and handed it to Grace.

“Are we still on for me babysitting tonight?” Emma asked.

“Yes!” Grace replied emphatically. “I’ve been looking forward to date night for the whole month now. You’re sure you’re okay with Sam? This teething stage is terrible.”

“Sam and I are buddies,” Emma assured her. She grinned at the one-year old boy. “Aren’t we?”

“Ahmm,” Sam replied with a nod, making Emma grin. She loved that little boy with her whole heart. She had from the moment she’d met him.

“Okay, I’ll see you in a little bit,” Grace said, stepping to the side. There wasn’t another customer behind her. “Thank you so much, Emma. You’re a lifesaver.”

“I’m going on break in a few minutes and I’ll come over and get some Sammy hugs,” Emma replied. Grace grinned, knowing that meant she’d get to drink her coffee in peace while Emma distracted and played with the little boy.

Emma turned back to the job at hand. Walking up to the counter was her favorite customer. She felt her stomach flutter and she made sure her hat was on straight. This was usually the best part of her entire day.

Mr. Jackson Weathers owned W&W BabyCo. She knew he had to be worth billions, yet he always came and ordered coffee from her on his way up to his office. She took it as a compliment, given that most of his senior staff simply had it delivered to the top floor.

“Good morning, Mr. Weathers,” Emma greeted him warmly. “How are you today?”

“I’m great,” he assured her, flashing his trademark smile. The man was gorgeous. Her knees went a little weak. She couldn’t help it. The man was absurdly good looking. He was tall, with strong shoulders that told her he worked out. She’d seen him run in wearing gym clothes and knew that he really did have a great physique under his suit. There was no shoulder padding accentuating his body.

His hair looked like a Disney artist drew it every morning. The medium blond hair was always perfectly styled and just tousled enough to make her want to run her fingers through it. Bright green eyes sparkled at her when he smiled, and that was her real weakness. That sparkle.

He was all charm and sparkle.

He was also the most notorious playboy and flirt she’d ever met. She’d seen way too many gorgeous women on his arm to even think she ever had a chance. He liked to flirt with her, but she knew it was just for fun.

He would never seriously date a nobody like her.

“Your usual?” she asked him, smiling back at him. Even though he was so out of her league they were playing different sports, she could still enjoy their morning conversation.

“Yes, please,” he replied.

“One grande Americano, extra shot, two pumps cinnamon dolce,” she called out.

“How do you remember everyone’s order?” he asked her, looking impressed. He leaned against the counter. Every movement was easy and meant to attract her.

She shrugged. “How do you remember your date’s names? Practice.”

He laughed. “Ouch.”

She shrugged. “I call it like I see it,” she teased him.

He grinned. “Maybe I should take you out to dinner. I think I can remember your name. Betsy? Olga? Helga. Definitely Helga.”

“Me?” She chuckled. They had this conversation at least once a month. “I thought that you were currently working your way through the New York Ballet. I’m afraid I am not currently a member.”

“Could have fooled me,” he told her, flashing her that grin again. Her heart fluttered. Flirting with a professional flirt was fun.

“Do you want a cookie or something?” she asked him. “You already made your order.”

“You trying to get rid of me?” he asked. He glanced behind him at the empty coffee shop. “It’s not like I’m holding up the line.”

“Maybe I have a hot date,” she told him. She liked the way his brow tensed slightly. It was almost like he was jealous.

“A hot date at ten in the morning?” he asked.

She shrugged. “I can have a hot date whenever I want.”

His green eyes narrowed. “He wouldn’t happen to be about one foot tall, twenty pounds and has a love of drool?”

“I can’t help the men I date,” she replied. “And I happen to find short, chubby, mama’s boys adorable. The kisses are out of this world.”

Mr. Weathers laughed, making Emma’s stomach tighten with lust. He had a great laugh. It was no wonder that women fell over themselves to sleep with him. He was smart, funny, good looking, and sexy as hell.

The fact that the women never stayed long said that he didn’t like commitment. He was just in it for the fun. She could never date a man like that.

“I’m afraid I don’t see the appeal,” he said. “I like my dates a little older.”

She chuckled. “Yeah, my baby dates aren’t so good at fancy restaurants. Definite downside.”

She grinned at him and he chuckled again.

“Have a great day, Emma,” he said, casually strolling to the pickup window and taking his coffee. She loved that he knew her name. He came in every morning and they always had a fun, easy banter that left a smile on her face.

He dropped a twenty in her tip jar and sauntered out of the coffee shop and into the building lobby. She could watch that man walk anywhere. The way he moved was sexy and confident. It was no surprise to her that he was a billionaire CEO with the world at his feet.

“Emma, clean up the spill by the trash and you can go on break,” her boss called to her.

She shook herself from watching Mr. Weathers walk away and picked up a cleaning towel. One day, she was going to get out of here. She had dreams and plans, and none of them revolved around cleaning up spilled coffee.

The mess by the trash can required a mop. She sighed and wondered just how she got here. Her dream job was never to be a barista. She had dreams of being something more, but her debt was out of control. She had a bachelor’s degree, but no experience. No experience meant no career. No career meant no money, so she was stuck here selling coffee. She had to pay off those student loans somehow. No matter how hard she worked, it felt like she was barely treading water. Something needed to change.

Emma quickly mopped up, washed her hands, and went to go play with the baby.

Sam reached for her as soon as he saw her coming to their table. She loved the way his chubby little arms stretched out and the way his smile lit up. She wanted to be a mother, but with no boyfriend and no money, she didn’t see it in the cards for a long time.

Yet one more thing life didn’t seem to want to give her.

“Sammy,” she cooed, pulling him in for a hug. She breathed in the sweet scent of baby shampoo, milk, and applesauce. He smelled like heaven.

“So, what are we going to do tonight?” she asked Sam.

He babbled something and gnawed on his cookie.

“Sounds like a plan to me,” Emma agreed.

“I can’t thank you enough for taking him,” Grace said, sipping on her coffee. “I love this kid, but I need a break.”

“I’m excited to watch him,” Emma admitted. “I feel like all I do is work and pay off bills. Playing with him will be a welcome break.”

She grinned and made faces at the baby. Sammy laughed like she was the funniest thing he’d ever seen. Emma giggled and snuggled him closer to her.

“You’re going to make an awesome mom someday,” Grace said, watching her with a smile. “We just have to find you the right guy.”

“I can’t see it happening anytime soon,” Emma warned her.

Grace shrugged. “I guess we can always dream. Sammy needs a buddy.”