Page 37 of Losing Faith

“I actually can. You can write another proposal, and if I like it better than that one, I’ll agree.” I look over at her and she looks like she doesn’t understand. “This is when we negotiate and come to an agreement in the middle. You can have another playdate with KC but you’re not sleeping there.”

“Why?”

I look back at my laptop as I see her getting upset. “You know the rule. No sleepovers. You can have a playdate. That’s my proposal. Final offer.”

At the sound of footsteps, I look up and Lisette is walking in. At the smile on her face, I know she heard most of that.

“I’m her business partner and we’ll be drafting thatprosaltogether.” She rolls her eyes at me playfully. “Shame on you for taking advantage of my rookie partner.”

I bite back a smile as I lean back in my seat. “She shouldn’t be in this field if she doesn’t have the experience.” I shrug.

She leans down to my daughter and whispers loud enough for me to hear. “We’re going to get you that sleepover.”

Belle lights up and my smile is gone as I turn to Lisette. “No, she isn’t. I’m being serious.” I turn to Belle when I see her pouting. “Don’t start,” I warn.

She pouts her lip further and ittrulypains me, but I stay strong and look at my laptop.

“Please, Daddy?” she pleads.

I don’t respond and I feel my chest tightening when she walks closer to me.

“Daddy,please?”

I look down at her and she bats her long lashes at me.

“We can get ice cream with her, then have a playdate by the pool, but no sleepover.”

She smiles at my words. “Okay!” She skips out of the room, and when I look up at Lisette, she’s shaking her head at me with her arms crossed.

“She just played your sorry ass. She was talking about getting ice cream with KC earlier.”

“No, she wasn’t.”

“She sure was.” Lisette laughs at the shock on my face, and I shake my head at myself.

I notice Lisette glance at my laptop before her eyes meet mine. “Are you busy?”

“Nope.” I lean back in my seat. “I sit at this desk for hours on end to get away from my manipulative child.”

She breaks into a laugh as she walks over to my desk. “My sarcasm is rubbing off on you.”

“Eh, just a bit.” I give her a shrug.

“Well, this is serious.”

I focus on her for a beat. “Is anything ever serious with you?”

“Nope.”

I bite back a laugh as I push my laptop aside. “What’s up?”

She sits in the chair in front of my desk before looking down at herself.

“Uh uh.” She shakes her head before standing up. “I don’t like this, let’s switch.”

“What?”

She’s already walking towards me and gesturing for me to stand. “Switch.” She pulls my arm, and I rise to my feet before she sits in my chair. I watch her as she spins to face forward and folds her hands together at my desk.

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