Page 88 of Summer Kisses

"I have a video-game show that I film on the side. I wanted to be included in the kids' programming and the platform said it would help if I had a girlfriend or, better yet, a fiancée. Hazel filmed with me, and the fans loved her."

Dad's forehead creased. "What video-game show?"

"I film me playing a popular kids' video game. It's all the rage right now." I knew Dad wouldn't understand.

"Why would you need some designation for it?"

"More parents would allow their children to watch my show if it had that designation, and Hazel helped me get it."

Dad shifted in his chair. "Why would you have a second job if you're working for me?"

"It was something I enjoyed doing. I never thought it would take off."

"Has it been successful for you?" Mom asked.

"Especially now that I have the kids' designation. I expect that it will one day earn me millions. I know you don't respect that, and you don't believe it, but it's something I enjoy."

"Are you telling me that you're leaving the business?" Dad said, disgust tingeing his tone.

I shook my head. "I want to do both, and you can't tell me that I can't. Not when I've been covering for Dalton for weeks."

"What are you talking about?" Dad asked.

"Dalton's girlfriend has kept him busy, and his mind isn't on the business. I don't blame him. She's put him through a lot. But I'm tired of you saying I can't handle a project manager position when I've been in charge of this project. Dalton is there when he can be, but I expect his attendance is only going to get worse when the baby comes."

Dad frowned, and Mom sighed. "I had no idea."

"Dalton needs this time to figure things out. But you need to know that I can handle the work. I am responsible. Just because I'm younger than my brothers doesn't mean that I'm any less reliable."

Mom nodded. "I've been telling your father that."

Dad threw up his hands. "I don't know what to think about any of this. These articles are out there, and anyone can find them."

"What about you and Hazel? I have a hard time believing that none of it was real," Mom said, her gaze trained on me.

I sighed. "It was real for me. But I'm not sure how she feels."

"You never asked her?" Mom asked incredulously.

I shook my head. "I was scared that she didn't feel the same way I did."

Mom patted my hand. "You have to talk to her."

I let my head fall back. "I had to deal with this first."

"How do you feel about her?" Mom asked.

I met her gaze. "It was supposed to be fake. I wanted to use the opportunity to make her see me as something more than a friend. And I think she did. I'm just not sure she believes we have a future." Especially after how I reacted to the news of the articles. I needed to talk to her. "But she'd already moved out of the house we shared. I'm worried it's too late to tell her I'm in love with her."

"It's never too late," Mom said. "I've seen the way she looks at you. I bet she feels the same way you do. You're both scared to be honest with each other. You don't want to lose the friendship you've always had."

"Yeah."

"You should go to her," Mom said.

"But what about the business?" I looked to Dad for reassurance.

"I don't know what to do about these articles."

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