by Nikki Bopp
Daughter Dearest
Nikki Bopp
Contents
1. As it ends, so does it begin
2. Stolen Breaths
3. Breakfast of Champions
4. Dredging through history
5. Cornered Mouse
6. Excitement Jitters
7. Living In A Glass Box
8. First Day Jitters
9. Weekend Wiles
10. Secret Admirer
11. Pain and Love
12. Confessions
13. Midnight Confessions
14. Lovers Aplenty
15. Gifts a Plenty
16. Fable of Feasts
17. The Date
18. Heart Flutters
19. The Belly of the Beast
20. Seductive Surrender
21. Cloud 9 Bliss
22. Coffee Time Break
23. Love is a battlefield
Epilogue
Also By Nikki Bopp
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the
products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual
person, living and dead, businesses and companies, events or locales is entirely
coincidental.
Copyright © 2020 by Nikki Bopp
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form on by an
electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems,
without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote
brief passages in a review. This eBook/paperback is licensed for your personal use only.
This ebook/paperback may not be re-sold or given away to another. If you would like to
share this book, please purchase an additional copy for each individual.
Formatting by Zoe Parker
Cover art by Leanne Brown
This book is dedicated to all the single moms out there looking for the love of their lives, I hope you find them. You have the hardest job in the world, and you are kicking ass at it every day.
This book, and all my other books are dedicated to my mother. She was the best mom I could have ever asked for and she worked tirelessly to support myself and my brother. She taught me that being a single mom didn’t mean failure. I’m proud of the woman she was, and the woman she raised me to be.
Nikki Bopp
Chapter 1
As it ends, so does it begin
“What do you mean you can't make it?” Ignoring the shrillness in my voice, I turn and sit on the edge of the couch next to a stuffed Marshall toy. I hate Paw Patrol so much, but Eva loves them more than anything.
“I have an audition in thirty minutes that just called. I’m sorry, but this could be my big break!” Breezy has been ‘trying to make it’ for years, and other than a couple of small-time commercials, she usually spends most of her time on low budget plays and musicals. As much as I hate the position she is putting me in; I can't fault her for trying to look out for herself first.
“Okay, I understand. I just don't know what I’m going to do. I have to leave for my interview in an hour, and I have no one else to watch Eva.” Having just moved to Seattle the week before, I know a total of two people in the city. Breezy and Mia, one of which is already bailing on me, and given that Mia was the one who got me this interview at her office, I don't think I can call on her for help.
“Just take her with you, they will be understanding,” Breezy suggests, and even through the phone, I know she is shrugging as if it's not a big deal to bring a four-year-old to an interview with the top tier of a multi-million dollar corporation.
“What? I can't do that! What am I supposed to do with her while I’m in the interview?”
“She can sit out in the lobby with the receptionist. I'm sure it's happened before.”
“I'm sure it has, but it's not something that I want to do!” I shove the anger simmering beneath the surface away. I have no choice. I have to go to the interview, daughter or not. “I'll figure it out,” I tell Breezy, hanging up the phone before she can respond.
It's only seven o’clock in the morning, meaning that Eva is still fast asleep and doesn't move a muscle when I tiptoe in her room. “Baby girl, mommy needs you to wake up.” Lowering myself onto the bed beside her, I pull the blankets up to cover her from the chill of the morning. “Baby,” I try again, running my hand over her hair, “Come on pretty, I need you to wake up.”
Her lashes flutter as she looks up at me with sleepy, confused eyes. “Mommy?” she asks, her lids drooping with fatigue.
“Yeah, baby. Mommy needs you to get dressed. You have to come with me to my new job today.”
Sitting up, the covers drop into her lap, her brightly colored Paw Patrol nightgown nearly glowing in the dark.
“But Aunt Breezy was supposed to come over and play with me.” The exaggerated frown pulls at my heartstrings and makes me want to curse Breezy. Who the hell does auditions at seven in the freaking morning?
“I know, baby. Breezy got called for a big movie, so she can't make it. I was thinking, maybe we can go to the park afterward and play on the big swing!” Within an hour of arriving in Seattle, Washington, we found out that there is a small park just down the street from our apartment, and Eva fell head over heels in love with the tire swing. At the mention of her favorite place, Eva jumps from her bed to yell with excitement.
“YES, mommy! I want to play on the BIGGGG swing!”
“Okay, then you have to get dressed, and you have to promise that you will be a good girl for mommy.”
“I promise!” Running over to her dresser, she begins to rifle through her drawers, tossing clothes that I know I will have to pick up later. Usually, it would bother me more, but if it helps her get dressed sooner, then so be it.
Leaving her to it, I make my way back to my bedroom to get dressed. The conservative skirt and blazer lay across the foot of my bed, a pair of low heels sitting on the floor. Undressing out of my sweats and overly large t-shirt, I take a moment to look myself over in my full-length mirror. My brown hair is cut short to the middle of my shoulders and usually swings freely, but today I wrapped it up in a tight bun to accentuate the rounded curvature of my face. I typically wear the bare minimum when it comes to makeup, but today I decided to add a lovely red lipstick and some soft pink blush to help give a little bit of life to my pale skin.
My body is rounder than I would like, but after having a child and a cesarean, there's not much that I can do for the baby paunch it left behind. My breasts are a full D cup that generally annoys me more than helps and is to blame for my almost constant back pain, or so I tell myself. Honestly, being a mom is backbreaking work, especially a single one, and I usually scoff at people who talk about how easy it is.
Evangeline, or Eva as I like to call her, is a pretty well-mannered child, but she has moments where I just want to wring her neck. That's pretty normal from what I hear, even if I feel like I'm about to lose my mind.
“Okay, I'm ready!” Eva yells, cocking out a hip to pose dramatically in my bedroom doorway. Her dark brown hair curls around her face in the most adorable way and is only enhanced by the dimple in one cheek, brown eyes shining happily. Her outfit, a combination of leopard print pants and a rainbow t-shirt, with her favorite shark rain boots, makes me want to cringe, but I hold it back with all I have. Before moving, Eva’s father, a strict, no-nonsense banker, required that every outfit is either pink or purple. He reasoned that she is “a girl and should thus follow the social standards that go along with that.”
That all meant that Eva wasn't allowed to do anything that he deemed as ungirly. She wasn't allowed to play in the mud, try
out for sports or wear pants. Pants! It was the most infuriating thing ever. Children should be able to dress how they want, express themselves through their play and creativity. It was the worst years of her life. And mine as well. There was only so much I could do to try and divert his attention away from her. The bruises and broken bones were written off by doctors that were more than friendly with my husband and his exorbitant donations.
“You look perfect, baby girl.” Picking up the brush from my bed, I gesture for her to turn around so I can try and tame the tangled rat’s nest that has taken residence in her long ringlets. Almost immediately, they bounce back into their perfect curls, and Eva spins around to fiddle with the hem of my skirt.
“Mommy?” She asks, her voice high and sweet.
“Yes, pumpkin?”
“You look beautiful!”
“Aww,” crouching down, I pulled her into my arms. Her tiny fists dig into my shoulders when she squeezes me tightly. “Thank you, baby. Mommy is going to meet some new people today. Do you remember what you promised?”
“Uh…,” Eva screws her face up in thought, “Oh! Yes! I'm going to be good, and then we will go to the BIGGGG swing!” Her excitement is palpable and makes me smile with the hope that everything will go well.
“That's right, but only if you're a good girl, and you listen to mommy.” Her head immediately begins to bob with excitement. “Alright, let's go!” Grabbing my purse and keys, I usher Eva out the door while trying to juggle the folder with my resume and references. People nowadays don't usually bring copies with them, but my mother always taught me that you need to be the best professional at the job if you expect to be getting a paycheck.
Mia pulled a lot of strings to get me this interview, and I certainly don't want to screw it up, granted I might already be on my way there when I walk in with my toddler. She said there would be three people interviewing me, so I assume she won't be one of them. Maybe Eva can sit with her while I’m inside. I'm assuming that the people would include my possible new boss, their supervisor, and perhaps a human resources representative.
Being the excellent interviewee that I am, I spent most of last night researching the company and the people who run it. While the information on their goals of basically saving the world from world hunger is impressive, it is nothing in comparison to the three Adonis that head up the executive team for Price Research International.
Daniel Price founded the company after his father was killed in a water dispute in the Middle East during a well digging expedition. Ever since his passing, Daniel made it his mission ‘to create new ways to produce food and water so that no one would wonder where their next meal or drink was coming from.’ Those words, that idea alone, is so far from what I would have expected, but it only made me more determined than ever to land this job.
It also helps that the man is the epitome of dark and dirty. The headshot on the website depicts a short and business-like cut of mahogany hair that looks softer than most women’s hair that I’ve seen. The serious look on his face is only highlighted by the five-o’clock shadow that makes me think he simply forgets to shave it because he's so busy, or perhaps it's the permanent line in his brow that is only acquired when one frowns too much. It's hard to tell how old he is, but I would hazard a guess in the thirties.
The two others, Edward Maccini, CFO, and Patrick Roswell, COO, simply list their educational background and goals for the future of the company. Pretty Generic, in my opinion, but it still didn't stop me from staring at their smiling faces.
Unlike their CEO, nearly every tooth is visible in their friendly and open smiles.
Both of them are young and much easier to estimate as being in their thirties as well. Edward's hair is cut short, the front gelled up in a sort of James Dean style. The trimmed beard is the same reddish-brown color on his head, and for a moment, it made me wonder if his hair is the same color everywhere.
Patrick looks to be the more intellectual of the trio. The thick black frames of his glasses only enhance the striking color of his sky-blue eyes, and the coal-black locks pushed back haphazardly.
Overall? Dangerous to my libido and the lockdown it’s currently put under. After my fucked-up marriage to Jonathan, I'm not in the market to look at any man, sexually or otherwise.
It's going to be a challenge to keep their handsome faces out of my head while trying to stay professional. Lord, help me if I land the job and have to work with them day in and day out.
I would do it for Eva and the life we are building here. It's not easy to start over, and it's especially challenging to start over when we don't want the past to follow us, but I just have to make it through this morning.
Kickass at this interview and land this fantastic job, and Eva will have the whole world ahead of her. I can do this for her and myself.
Chapter 2
Stolen Breaths
“Come on, sweet pea. We’re going to be late!” Trying to keep my panic under lock, I tighten my grip on Eva’s wrist when I can feel her start to slow down.
“My feet hurt!” Eva’s voice is high and filled with a whiny tone that I’m not prepared to deal with this morning. Unfortunately, there was no parking near the Price building, and so we were forced to park four blocks away and rush to the imposing tower before I’m turned away for being too late.
“I know, baby, but we’re almost there, and then you can sit down, I promise.” Her grumbled response is followed with more resistance, and as much as I try to hold my temper, a growl of frustration slips from between my lips. Whirling around, I drop to Eva’s level and give her my most stern expression. The look immediately causes her face to fall in sadness.
“I'm sorry,” she whispers so softly I almost can't hear it over the hustle and bustle of morning traffic. There are several curses thrown my way from people not paying close enough attention to us and nearly tripping in their rushed commute.
“I know you are pumpkin, but mommy has,” checking my watch, I try not to wince at the time. Three minutes until my meeting, and we’re still an entire block away. “Mommy has to be there really quick, okay? And as soon as I’m done, we’re going to go ride that swing, mkay?”
Eva’s frown tilts up at the corners at the reminder. “Okay,” she nods, determination settling across her face.
“That's my girl, now come on! I'll race you!” Eva’s eyes go wide as saucers at the challenge, but she quickly darts ahead of me with a laugh of glee.
“No fair!” I yell, letting a smile stretch across my face. The click of my heels on the cement echoes around me as we race to the shining tower ahead. The traffic seems to have thinned, so I'm able to keep sight of Eva, who darts between the few stragglers until she reaches the front doors of Price Research. So ecstatic at her win, she doesn't notice the impending collision, but my yell of warning gives her enough insight to spin around before being knocked on her butt from the man in a black business suit.
“Eva!” I yell, picking up speed until I am standing above her, huffing and puffing more than I’d like to admit when the man turns towards me with concern.
“I'm so sorry! I didn't see her,” he kneels in front of her, dirtying his expensive suit in the process. “Are you okay, sweety? I'm sorry, I wasn't paying attention to where I was going.” Offering a hand, he helps Eva to her feet with ease and waits for her response. Instead, her head ducks down, her feet shuffling until she's tucked beneath my arm in her typical shy fashion.
The man flashes me a confused look, but I simply shrug and answer for her, “she's fine, but thank you. Sometimes we don't watch out for others too, huh?” Tightening my arm on her shoulder, she nods in agreement. Gifting the man with a smile, I take a moment to admire the lean cut of his body and the suit that’s tailored to fit him perfectly. The short brown hair and dull hazel eyes are nothing spectacular but don’t take away from the overall attractiveness of the man. Perhaps it's the dazzling smile or the way his eyes crinkle as though he is thinking of something funny.
; Shaking myself out of my thoughts, I tug on a piece of Eva’s hair to get her attention.
“And what do we say to the nice man for helping you up?” The stern tone makes her peek up at him from beneath her hair before a soft “thank you” escapes her pouting form. She quickly curls herself tighter into my side, body nearly quivering with anxiety.
“No problem, I'll just have to watch where I'm going from now on,” he smiles to her, sticking his hand out to me. “Nicholas Grant.”
“Jenny, nice to meet you.” Oh shit, the time! Glancing down at my watch, I am horrified to see that we’re now three minutes late! “Oh no! I'm so sorry, but I'm going to be late!” Opening the door to the building, I turn to smile at Nicholas, “Thank you so much again!”
His response is cut off by the door, his hand still raised in farewell.
“Mommy? Who was that man?” Eva’s voice echoes around the large foyer, the black and white marble amplifying the click of my heels and her whispered words. Directly in front of the doors are several elevator doors, all of them silent and empty from the looks of it. To the left is a cluster of white couches that look incredibly uncomfortable, but I obviously wouldn't say so aloud considering the blond staring daggers at us from the desk to our right.
Her hair is frighteningly tight against her skull, which I suppose is beneficial because it highlights the sharp jut of her chin and the beak-like nose she's currently staring down at us. Her ghostly pale skin is a shade too light for me to think she’s a living human being, but when she lets out a loud sigh at my hesitation, I'm positive she isn't a vampire.