He was supposed to be a one-night stand… Now she’s asking him for baby number two.
Five years ago, Tachina Winston made one impulsive decision—a one-night stand with her former client, Vic Maxwell. The result? The world’s cutest little boy and an unconventional but surprisingly seamless co-parenting setup. No drama, no strings, no regrets.
But Tachina has a tiny little problem…
She wants another baby.
Dating apps? Disasters. Blind dates? Even worse. There’s only one man she trusts enough to do this with again: Vic.
Vic isn’t looking for love after a messy breakup. But when Tachina proposes her plan, he can’t deny it—he’s tempted.
And if he agrees, it will come with one condition: he wants to experience everything he missed before.
Easy, right?
Wrong.
Because soon, things get complicated. They’re having adult spend-the-night dates, sharing kisses that last too long, and stirring up feelings neither of them expected.
Then Vic’s ex returns wanting him back, they are forced to decide: was this just a favor with benefits… or the beginning of something real?
Tachina Winston finished smoothing the throw pillows on the studio’s display sofa, stepped back, and assessed the ensemble like she was a judge in a television design show challenge.
“Perfect,” she murmured. Even though she knew she’d be readjusting or swapping out the pillows by tomorrow.
And maybe again the day after.
Perfection was a journey, not a destination.
Her phone buzzed on the worktable beside thecountless amount of swatches and sample boards she’d been working on.
Hungry. Borderline faint. Get your ass here.
Tachina chuckled at the text message from her best friend. Another message popped up.
Hurry. I can sense in my spirit that you have got some good gossip to spill!
Tachina rolled her eyes at her friend’s silliness. Addison always could sense something was going on, when there was nothing to ‘sense’. It was crazy to think that she wasn’t a journalist or something.
But today…well, okay, maybe she did have something to share with her nosey buddy.
A tiny little something.
A thought.
A…craving, so to speak.
And it wasn’t food she was talking about.
Hold your horses. I’m on the way now!she replied.
Tachina grabbed her jacket and purse then shut off the lights of the studio. She locked up her office and headed out. She had plenty to do when she returned and didn’t want anyone messing with her projects. She glanced down at her watch and noted the time. She was running behind for her lunch date with Addison. Her heels echoed on the tile floors as she navigated through the old warehouse that had been restored into a design studio.
She ducked out of the building without catching sightof anyone, which was great. She didn’t want to feel obligated in asking any of her coworkers to join her for lunch. Not that she didn’t like them. It was just today she wanted it to be just her and Addison.
She stepped out into the brisk Cleveland afternoon air. Autumn was upon them, and the temperatures were screaming sweater weather. The breeze lifted her dark hair as she crossed the parking lot toward her car. She kept her hair cut in a bob that brushed her shoulders. She had been keeping it shorter but had decided to allow it to grow out a bit. She took in her reflection on her driver’s-side window and made a mental note to add a cut to her next standing salon appointment. She didn’t want it getting any longer right now.
She hopped in her luxury sedan and blew out a deep breath. Her gaze landed on the building where she worked. Form and Function Studios. The company was well respected in the design world. She’d worked for them for ten years and had made a name for herself there. She had earned the position of lead designer which was no easy feat.