Page 56 of Game Change

“It will be a rental property, at least for a few years. I like my condo,” I say. “The house belonged to my mom. I lost it a few years after she died, but I got it back now.” A sense of pride surges through me. I was able to do this without anyone’s help, and the house will be something I can give to my own child one day.

Well, you better start dating.

I ignore the voice in my head.

“It’s beautiful,” he says. He looks up, smiles, and puts the phone back in my hand. “Sounds like there’s a story there about the house. Does that have anything to do with your former stepbrother?”

“I don’t want to talk about that or him,” I say.

“You’re kind of guarded, you know that? You should try letting someone in sometime.”

He puts his hand on my lap, and I try to push it away. I can’t, so I leave it and roll my eyes. Every time I let someone in, I get screwed over. “Well, that hasn’t exactly worked out for me in the past.” I look him directly in the eyes and say, “I’m sure you know what I mean.”

When I look away, he grasps my chin. “I would never screw you over. What happened was a horrible twist of fate. Imagine how I feel. I thought I was going to get a girlfriend. A beautiful, smart, sexy girlfriend, and fate and my uncle conspired against me.” My eyes widen at his words. I won’t say it, but I thought that too. I thought I would finally be in an adult relationship with a man I connected with. I thought fate was finally throwing me a bone after all the shit that’s happened to me.

“I still want that,” he whispers, and I close my eyes because I know it can never be.

If I wasn’t strapped financially, I’d quit and wait out the year to officially start my business. And I would give him a chance, but there’s no way I can do that now.

“You’re my boss, Colin.”

“There’s no rule against employees dating. My uncle would never make that a condition of employment.”

“Tell me you’re not that clueless?” I ask. “You can’t possibly—”

“Uncle Paddy Cake,” the little girl says as she runs to our table. She goes right to Colin who picks her up and puts her on his lap. “I got you this chocolate cupcake.” She proudly pulls it out of the bag and hands it to him.

The baby starts to wiggle in his mom’s arms, reaching for Colin who takes him and puts him on his other leg, but he goes right for the cupcake. Colin breaks off a piece and feeds it to him.

“I have to go,” Lisa says. “I’m dropping the kids off with my mother-in-law, and then I have to go to marriage counseling.” She rolls her eyes. “Deciding to work on your marriage is easy. It’s doing the work that’s hard. Thank goodness my favorite brother is back.” She kisses his cheek. “Say goodbye to Uncle Paddy Cake, kids,” she says.

After several kisses, hugs, and a meltdown by the baby, Lisa finally leaves. Amira and Raven return, Colin pays the check, and I stand to put on my coat.

“I was hoping we could talk,” he says. “Alone.”

I shake my head. Each time we’re alone, we do everything but talk, and looking at him now, the last thing I want to do with him is have a conversation. What I’d like to do is strip him naked, climb into bed, and not worry about getting out until Monday.

“I have plans with my friends.” That part is untrue. Amira has plans with her family for the rest of the day, and Raven has hair appointments starting soon.

“No, she doesn't. We’re actually on our way out,” Raven says. “Thanks for breakfast, Killah.”

He hugs both of my friends, and they leave soon after.

And I'm alone with him again.

Chapter 29

Colin

“Let’s get some coffee at the shop across the street,” I suggest.

“I don’t want any more coffee today,” she says.

She’s being stubborn on purpose. She knows I don’t really want to get coffee. I want to talk, and since it’s three degrees below zero today, going for a walk is not exactly on the list of things I want to do. February in the Northeast is not for the faint of heart, and I’ve forgotten how harsh it can be.

“Okay, then. You suggest something.”

“There’s no need for us to talk. As far as what happened this week, we can forget about it. I’m as much to blame as you.” She stands and puts on her coat. “We can continue co-existing in the office for as long as we work there.”

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