Page 99 of Game Change

“Does he have a chance?” I ask, surprised that he would go that far. Ashley is not pleasant to be around, but I don’t know if she’s a danger to her son.

“I don’t know, but that’s all they talk about. Ashley lives with Mom now, and my dad is helping her find a good family attorney. It’s a mess.”

“Have they been married long?” Ernestine asks.

“Only three years, but it’s been a shit show from day one. I’m so glad I have my own place.”

I hold up my wine glass and say, “Hear, hear.”

“Honeybee, tell everyone about your new projects,” Colin says like the proud partner he is.

Chapter 50

Colin

By the time our guests leave, I’m exhausted. I was grateful when Ernestine and Amira volunteered to clean up while Raven and Brynne talked.

Brynne emerges from the bathroom, wearing one of my T-shirts, and climbs into bed. She cuddles to my side and turns on the fireplace with the remote control.

“Thank you for today,” she whispers.

“What are you thanking me for?”

“For being there. For holding me while I fell apart. For getting on your knees in your designer pants to help me salvage my mother’s ashes and for taking care of me.”

“That’s what I’m here for, baby. You don’t have to thank me. Where else would I be when the person I love the most was having a crisis?”

She rests her head on my chest, and I run my hand down her side while I plant kisses on her forehead.

“I’m not used to being taken care of anymore. My mom has been gone a long time, and she was the only one who ever cared for me that way. I’m used to doing everything on my own.”

“You don’t have to anymore. That’s what I’ve been trying to show you. I’m here, and Oliver will not hurt you again.” I’m going to make sure of that because while she was handling things with her homeowner’s insurance, I hired someone to find Oliver. I’ll deal with him before he has to deal with the police.

“It will take some time to retrain my brain on that.” She takes the television remote and turns it on. “Anyway, if it’s okay with you, I’ll put most of my things in one of the upstairs bedrooms. I don’t want to take over—”

“Oh, please,” I snort. “You’re not going upstairs. You’re too scared to go up there.” She tries to punch my chest, but I wrap my hand around her wrist.

“It’s creepy up there,” is all she says.

“Yeah. This is my creepy ass house, remember?” I say, throwing her words back at her.

“Whatever,” she says with a snort. “You probably made it creepy on purpose so you could get me into bed.”

“I want you to move in,” I tell her. “You’ll be closer to work, and I won’t have to worry about you in that basement apartment with no security.”

“I don’t want to impose,” she says, biting her lip.

“I’m asking you to move in.”

“Until I resolve everything with—”

“Until forever.”

She looks at my profile, but I remain focused on my iPad.

“That’s too fast, babe,” she says.

“Not for me.” I put the iPad down and face her. “I’m in love with you. I’ve never felt this way for anyone else, and I never will.” She holds her breath, and I pick up her hand and put it to my chest. “This is only for you, and I don’t want to waste any more time. Do you love me?” I ask. I already know the answer. I can tell just by the way she’s looking at me.

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