Free The 5-Year Plan (Friends to Lovers Romance Book 1) by Cara Nelson Page A

paydays in her bank.”
    “Which means we need to look into her finances.” She waved a vague hand as if that was the simplest thing in the world.
    He raised an eyebrow. “Hacking into someone bank’s account is illegal. There’s no sense trying to clear you of a crime by committing another one.”
    She laughed. “I wasn’t actually suggesting we hack her account. I can just poke around in her house—I’ll offer to babysit Liam. Most people are notoriously careless with their personal papers.”
    He scratched his jaw. “How would you know that?”
    She pointed at the kitchen. A smile hovered on her lips. “Three envelopes from your bank are lying on the counter over there. Want to bet at least one of them is your bank statement. How difficult would it be for me to swipe them, or take a look while you’re in the bathroom?”
    Amazed, he stared at her. “You have a wicked mind.”
    She grinned. “Takes one to know one.”
    For a minute, she looked like the same serious but carefree girl he’d always known. He started to smile back. But now she was embroiled in an investigation to clear her name, and he was facing fatherhood—with Cynthia. Could the world get any weirder?
    Victoria stood. “Guess I better go.”
    “Wait!” He stood up. “What about dinner?”
    She gestured to the bag on his counter. “It’ll warm up great later for you. I’ve lost my appetite.”
    “Dammit, this evening hasn’t gone as I planned.”
    “Never got around to the candlelight.” She smiled as she spoke, but he looked around now and realized that only the streetlights illuminated the room. It was a damn shame—he’d intended to seduce Victoria to see if that spark between them could be fanned into an even bigger fire. Now he had the setting, the food, the wine…and nothing else was right. Both of them had more problems that either of them could handle. “I don’t want you to go alone to Sue’s house. When are you planning to do it? I will come with you.”
    “You don’t need to.”
    “I want to. When?”
    “Tomorrow evening? I’ll offer to babysit so she and Shane can go out to dinner—an adult dinner.”
    “I’ll meet you there. Seven?”
    She nodded. “Sure.”
    Trent sighed. He felt better to have some actions to take—that was the problem with Cynthia’s news—he couldn’t do a damn thing about it. But once he had his hands on the guy who’d caused his Tori so much anguish, he could wring the bastard’s neck. That would make him feel better.
    But she wasn’t his Tori. Not yet. Ah, no point thinking like that when he had other things to worry about.
    “I just want to say…”
    To his surprise, she reached out and took both his hands in hers. She planted a soft kiss on his cheek. “Whatever you decide regarding the baby, Trent, I’ll be with you a hundred percent. But before you make any promises to Cynthia, make sure that she…well…that she’s telling the truth about the baby. And that it’s yours.”
    He blinked. “Why would she tell a lie?”
    She let go of his hands. “I am not saying she is, but a DNA test wouldn’t hurt. For once, will you please think ahead to more than tomorrow? It’s a lifetime of work to have a kid of your own.”
    He frowned. “Yeah. Yeah, you’re right.”
    She headed into the kitchen and came back with her purse and the tablet. “You know, Trent, I actually think you’ll make a good father. I wouldn’t have said that before tonight, but now…I’ve got to admit, you’ll make a damn fine father. That kid would be lucky to have you.”
    He started to grin, but her words made him realize he was heading for a very different life than he’d ever thought about—not that he’d ever thought too far ahead. He was just glad she was on his side. But for now at least, his romantic plans were about as warm as the Indian food sitting on his kitchen counter.
     

Chapter Six
     
    On the subway ride back to her apartment, Victoria thought about Cynthia’s