Worth the Fall: A Single Dad, Romantic Comedy (Flirting with Forever Book 2)

Miguel leans against the edge of my desk, his arms wrapped around my waist as he pulls me closer. The morning sunlight streams through my office window, casting a warm glow over his face as his lips find mine again, slow and unhurried. I swear the world outside my office doesn’t exist—there’s just us, the quiet hum of the air-conditioning, and the lingering taste of coffee on his lips.

‘We’re going to get caught,’ I murmur against his mouth, though I make no move to pull away. After the chaos with Celine yesterday, this moment of peace feels like exactly what I need.

‘Let them catch us,’ he says, his voice rough as his hands slide lower on my hips. ‘I’m sure they’ve seen worse in this building.’

I laugh softly, pressing my forehead against his. ‘I’m pretty sure Linda has a sixth sense about these things. She’ll burst in any second. She has a key.”

‘Linda loves me,’ he argues, stealing another kiss. ‘She told me so yesterday when I brought her that fancy coffee she likes.’

‘You’re bribing my secretary now?’

‘Strategic alliance building,’ he corrects with a grin. ‘Very lawyer-like of me.’

He groans softly, his hands tightening on my hips. ‘I don’t want to go back to work,’ he murmurs against my mouth, his voice low and rough. ‘Can’t we just stay here all day?’

‘You have to,’ I whisper, though my fingers curl into the front of his shirt, not quite ready to let him go. ‘That merger won’t review itself.’

‘The merger can wait,’ he says, but we both know it can’t. His new position at the firm means more responsibility, more pressure. We’re both building our careers, trying to balance ambition with this thing growing between us.

He pulls back just enough to look at me, his dark eyes full of heat. ‘It’s going to kill me to not see you tonight.’ His thumb traces small circles on my hip, making it hard to think straight.

My cheeks flush at the intensity in his gaze, but I manage a teasing smile. ‘Absence makes the heart grow fonder, doesn’t it?’

His brow lifts, and a slow, dangerous grin spreads across his face. ‘Is that right?’

I nod, trying to sound more confident than I feel. My heart is racing beneath my blouse, and the way he’s looking at me makes me want to forget about work entirely. ‘That’s what they say.’

‘You know what else they say?’ He leans in, his lips brushing my ear, his voice dropping to a deliciously wicked whisper. ‘Anticipation makes everything… better. Then I’ll make sure you feel very fond of me next time.’

A shiver runs down my spine as he pulls back, his grin turning into a wink that makes my knees weak. Every time I think I’ve got a handle on this attraction between us, he says something that makes me feel like I’m falling all over again.

‘See you later, Mia,’ he says, his tone full of promise. His fingers trail down my arm before he steps back, and the loss of contact feels almost physical.

‘Miguel—’ I start to say, but he’s already gone, the office door clicking shut behind him. The scent of his cologne lingers in the air, making it impossible to focus on anything else.

I stand there for a moment, my breath coming faster than it should. My skin feels too warm, my pulse racing, and I have to press a hand to my chest to steady myself. The ghost of his touch still burns against my skin.

‘Get it together,’ I mutter, fanning myself with a case file. ‘You’re a professional. A lawyer. Not some lovesick teenager.’

‘Talking to yourself again?’ Linda’s voice makes me jump. She’s leaning against my doorframe, a knowing smirk on her face. ‘I saw Miguel leaving. He looked… pleased with himself.’

I feel the blush creep up my neck. ‘Just discussing a case.’

‘Uh-huh.’ She crosses her arms. ‘Must have been some case. Your lipstick’s smudged.’

I quickly wipe at my mouth, earning a laugh from her. ‘I hate you sometimes,’ I tell her, but we both know I don’t mean it.

‘No, you don’t. I bring you coffee and keep your secrets.’ She winks. ‘Speaking of which, Becca called. She wants you to call her back ASAP. Something about drinks tonight?’

‘Absence makes the heart grow fonder,’ I mutter to myself, rolling my eyes as I sit down at my desk. ‘What was I thinking?’

‘You were thinking that man is sex on legs and you’re completely gone for him,’ Linda offers helpfully from the doorway.

‘Don’t you have work to do?’ I ask, trying to hide my smile.

‘Always. But watching your love life is so much more entertaining.’ She pauses, her expression softening. ‘You deserve this, you know. To be happy. To be loved like that.’

Her words catch me off guard, making my throat tight. Before I can respond, my phone buzzes with Becca’s text about drinks. The timing couldn’t be better—I need a distraction from the way my heart keeps doing backflips every time I think about Miguel.

I laugh softly, already knowing she’s probably bursting with questions about everything that’s happened. I quickly text back.

‘Tell Becca I say hi,’ Linda calls out as she heads back to her desk. ‘And that she owes me twenty bucks. I totally called the whole Celine situation.’

‘You two need to stop betting on my life!’ I shout after her, but she just waves me off with a laugh.

By the time I arrive at Becca’s apartment that evening, my emotions are all over the place. The day has been a roller coaster—from the heated moments with Miguel this morning to the lingering tension about Celine at the firm. Becca opens the door with a glass of wine already in hand, her smile bright and welcoming.

‘You look like you need this more than I thought,’ she says, pressing the glass into my hand. ‘Rough day?’

‘You have no idea,’ I say, taking a long sip. The wine is expensive—the kind Becca only breaks out for serious conversations.

She raises an eyebrow as we settle on her couch. ‘Work? Or Miguel?’

‘Both,’ I admit, tucking my legs under me. ‘Though Miguel is… definitely not the problem.’

‘Spill.’ She leans forward, eyes sparkling. ‘And don’t leave out any details about this morning’s office makeout session. Linda already texted me.’

‘I’m going to kill her,’ I groan, but I can’t help smiling. ‘It wasn’t… Okay, it was exactly what you’re thinking.’

‘Knew it!’ She grins triumphantly. ‘But that’s not why you look like you need to drink this entire bottle. What’s really going on?’

I hesitate, swirling the wine in my glass as I try to decide where to start. ‘Well, Celine signed on with the firm.’

Her eyes widen dramatically. ‘Wait, Celine? As in Miguel’s ex-wife? As in the woman whose daughter already calls you ‘Mommy Mia’?’

‘Yep.’ I pop the P sound and take another large sip of wine.

Becca leans back, her expression a mix of horror and fascination. ‘And?’

‘And she admitted she only did it to see what kind of woman her daughter is obsessed with,’ I say, letting out a dry laugh. ‘Because, apparently, Felicity talks about me nonstop.’

Becca’s jaw drops. ‘You’re kidding. Please tell me you’re kidding.’

‘I wish I were,’ I say, draining my glass. She immediately reaches for the bottle to refill it. “I felt awful,” I say rubbing my face as I replay the awkward moment. “Truthfully though, this has been going on for a while and I just hid it from Miguel.”

“What!” Becca’s eyes look like they’re going to pop out of her head.

“I think Miguel and I handled things wrong—we shoulder have met with her a long time ago. She felt threatened, a new woman showing up and spending time with her daughter.” I shake my own head at how ridiculous I was being.

“I could see that,” Becca says with a sympathetic smile, “so how are things now?”

I launch into the entire dramatic story, filling her in on all of the painful and embarrassing details that have transpired. ‘But then she apologized. She was crying, Becca. Like, full-on sobbing in my office. It was… intense.’

‘Holy shit.’ Becca shakes her head, tucking her feet under her. ‘And Miguel? How did he handle it?’

‘He went full protective mode. Made me hire him as my lawyer on the spot—literally paid him a dollar and everything.’ I can’t help but smile at the memory. ‘He was ready to storm into the partners’ office and demand they reject her as a client.’

‘That’s kind of hot,’ Becca says with a smirk. ‘All commanding and protective.’

‘Trust me, I know.’ I feel my cheeks flush, remembering how attractive he’d been in that moment. ‘But it’s complicated, you know? This isn’t just about me and Miguel anymore. There’s Felicity to think about, and our careers, and now Celine. I never want to make her feel like that again.”

‘Hey.’ Becca reaches over, squeezing my hand. ‘You’re not drowning. You’re just figuring it out. And it sounds like Miguel’s in it with you, no matter how messy it gets.’

Her words hit me harder than I expect, and I blink back sudden tears. ‘I hope you’re right.’

‘I am,’ she says with a confident nod. ‘Now, let’s finish this bottle and talk about anything other than work or ex-wives. Like maybe that hickey you’re trying to hide with your collar.’

‘What?’ I slap a hand to my neck, and Becca bursts out laughing.

‘Made you look! But seriously, you two need to cool it in the office. Poor Linda’s going to need therapy.’

I’m about to defend myself when my phone buzzes. The text from Miguel makes my whole body flush hot.

‘Oh my God,’ I whisper, my voice barely audible as I stare at my phone.

‘What now?’ Becca asks, trying to peek at my screen. ‘What did he say this time?’

I clutch my phone to my chest, shaking my head furiously. ‘Nope. Nope. You are not seeing this one.’

Her eyes narrow, and then her face twists into an exaggerated grimace. ‘If it’s worse than the last one, I don’t want to see it. But judging by how red you are, it’s probably completely filthy.’

‘It’s not filthy,’ I protest weakly. ‘It’s… suggestive.’

She snorts, crossing her arms. ‘You know, for a lawyer, you’re a terrible liar. Your whole face is on fire.’

I stand up abruptly, grabbing my purse and trying to act casual. ‘Well, I think that’s my cue to head home.’

‘Uh-huh.’ Becca’s smirk is knowing. ‘And this sudden need to leave has nothing to do with Miguel?’

‘None whatsoever,’ I say primly, though we both know it’s a lie.

She waves me off, laughing. ‘Alright, go. But don’t come crying to me tomorrow when you’re exhausted because you stayed up all night doing… whatever it is you two do.’

‘Goodbye, Becca,’ I call over my shoulder, already heading for the door.

‘Goodbye, Mia!’ she shouts after me, her voice full of amusement. ‘And tell my almost-brother-in-law to keep his pants on next time!’

I laugh despite myself, shaking my head as I step out into the night. The air is cool against my flushed skin, and anticipation curls low in my belly as I think about Miguel waiting for me.

By the time I get home, I’ve stopped trying to suppress the giddy feeling bubbling up inside me. Miguel’s words replay in my mind, making my pulse race. As I unlock my door, I know one thing for sure; tonight is going to be… eventful.

And honestly? I can’t wait.