Page 25 of So This Is Love

“It sounds like you really like it.”

“Yeah I do,” I reply. “My job has kind of become my life lately, but I really enjoy the work that I do so I don’t mind.”

My phone rings, interrupting our conversation. I grab it from my purse but quickly decline the call when I see that it’s my mom.

“You can take that if you need to,” Bryce says.

“No it’s just my mom.”

I’m cut off by my phone ringing again. I sigh heavily and send my mom to voicemail again, certain that it isn’t anything I can’t deal with later. This time I put my phone on ‘do not disturb’ before I drop it into my bag. Anyone important will still be able to reach me, but she is not one of those people.

“I take it you guys aren’t close.”

I scoff. “You could say that. She usually only calls when she needs something from me.”

“Damn, I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. It is what it is,” I reply nonchalantly. “Are you close with your family?”

“For sure. My sisters are a lot older than me so sometimes it felt like I had three moms growing up but we all get along well.”

“What’s the age gap?”

“Lauryn is twelve years older than me and Shannon is thirteen years older,” Bryce says.

“Oh you’re really the babyandthe only boy,” I say. “I bet you were spoiled rotten.”

“Shit, if you let my sisters tell it, hell yeah,” he says laughing. “According to them I could get away with murder and my parents wouldn’t have batted an eye.”

I giggle at his exaggeration. “So are you denying it?”

Bryce gives a devious grin. “I was an angel child and I deny all allegations otherwise.”

“That tells me all I need to know!” I say.

“Are you speaking from experience or are you just being a youngest child hater?”

“Hater? I would never,” I say, taking mock offense. “I grew up as an only child, but I have younger siblings on my dad’s side.”

“You firing shots at me is crazy considering you’ve probably never had to share anything in your entire life.”

“Oh whatever,” I reply laughing. “My sharing skills are just fine, thank you very much.”

Bryce grins, the dimples in his cheeks appearing.

Charlotte returns to clear away our empty dishes. She asks us if we need anything else but we both shake our heads no and she leaves again.

“Are you close with them?” Bryce asks.

“Hmm?” I ask, not sure what he’s referring to.

“Your dad and siblings.”

“Oh. Umm not really. My parents weren’t ever technically together and my dad moved to Texas when I was young so I never saw him that often. He got married a while ago and he and his wife had twins.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

I haven’t thought about my dad and his family in a while. Some sadness tries to creep up but I shrug it off, firmly pushing the emotions away.

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