Page 71 of CEO Daddy (Crescent Cove 6.50)

“No. The calamity part. I mean, it should be. Am I father material?” I jerked my thumb at my chest and jabbed myself hard enough to bruise.

“You look like it.”

“Hmm.” Was that a good thing? Why had Hannah wanted to nail someone who looked like a daddy?

Different kind of daddy. The other kind I doubted had any trouble getting action.

“That’s not an insult. Just saying you look stable. Mature. God knows you have the financials covered.” He nudged my shoulder with a grin. “Don’t suppose I can hit you up for a loan sometime?”

“Wait until I save my company first, okay?”

; Austin’s eyes narrowed.

I cleared my throat. “Good job on keeping up with my fucked-up life, by the way. I have trouble following it myself, and you grasped it all like a pro.” I lifted the whiskey to my mouth and wondered why the distance seemed to have grown. Of course, the bottle was a third empty now. I was probably reaching my limit.

Did I have a limit?

I knocked back some more. Maybe not.

“Thanks. My boss always praises my linear thinking.” Austin’s dimples flashed.

“That ring? Police? I couldn’t quite make out the insignia.”

He shuddered. “Bite your numb tongue.”

I tapped it against the roof of my mouth. He wasn’t far off. “Fire Department?”

He saluted me with his empty mug before banging it three times on the bar. Miss Sunshine shot out of the back, gave him a refill, and split with a scowl for me.

I probably wasn’t drinking the whiskey fast enough. Then again, consuming this whole bottle might literally kill me.

“Yes. New York’s Bravest, except some miles away from the city.”

“It’s an honor to meet you,” I said solemnly. “I’m also glad you can’t arrest me if I end up forgetting to pay and stiffing the bartender for this bottle.”

“I heard that,” she called from the back.

“It’s an honor to meet you too. I’ve never met someone actually made of cash money. Although you mentioned something about saving—”

I waved it off. “Hello, I’m working on being drunk. Don’t listen to me. You live near here?”

“Yeah, Morningstar Lane. Renting a place, with an option to buy. Assuming I come up with the money. I’m in line for a promotion, but it means longer hours and it’s hard with Joey.”

“Wife?” I rethought the name. “Husband?”

Austin shook his head. “Kid sister, but I’m basically her dad now. Our parents passed on last year.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry.”

“Thanks. Me too. It’s a rough situation.” Austin took a long drink.

“I don’t suppose she’s under two? Lily could use a playmate.” Then again, Hannah and I would be providing her with one soon enough.

My head swam and I started to push back my stool. I might actually need to put my head between my knees so I didn’t pass out.

Austin clapped my back. “You okay, man? You don’t look good.”