Page 41 of The Truth of Loving You

My lunch sat like a rock in my stomach.

“Since I’m dishing out life advice, I’m going to keep my roll going. Stop fighting against what your father would’ve wanted for you. He doesn’t think about you. Sometimes, I feel like you forget his opinion or reaction doesn’t count when you make decisions.”

Alec had said something along the same lines, but I didn’t see any connection.

“Don’t give me that look. You refused to play the sports he wanted, get the degree he wanted, and when you were in London, you had the chance to study art at Oxford.Oxford. But I would bet my life you turned it down because you didn’t want your father to take credit or pride in that.“ Lisa delivered her blow with a soft tone and a half smile.

I shook my head in denial, knowing she’d hit her mark.

“You can be anything you want to be, and it has nothing to do with Donald. I see your easel and canvas. Stop fighting against him and fight for what you want. Do what makes you happy. And don’t push Shane away because he works for Donald.”

“It’s complicated.”

Lisa shrugged. “Pax was the only thing you kept that Donald loved. Don’t let him influence how you feel about Shane.”

“I’m not sure he did love Pax. I thought he did, but sometimes, I think he used him. I don’t think my father ever loved anyone but himself.”

Lisa tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “You’re probably right. He’s a manipulative bastard, but that’s not a consolation for you. I need to get going. Think about what I said.”

With a kiss on my cheek, she was gone. I couldn’t decide if I was relieved or sick.

Chapter twenty-one

Shane

“Sara,youdon’tneedto worry about me.” I checked the clock knowing Cole would be here soon, and I wanted to be ready so I had to get off the phone.

“I shouldn’t worry that my baby brother is avoiding me and his favorite nephew? You only avoid Isaac if something is really wrong. Tell me.”

I knew she wouldn’t give up, but I wasn’t telling her everything. “Fine. I started seeing someone, and it’s new and not at all at the point where I would ever introduce you. So don’t ask.”

“Shane, that’s amazing! I promise not to scare them off.” She shushed a fussy Isaac. “Is it a guy or a girl?”

“I’m not giving any details. And I have to go.”

“I need to put the little guy down, but you’re telling me later. As long as you stay away from the tattooed angry guy, I don’t care who it is. Love you, bye.” Sara hung up, and I stared at the phone.

Well, I guess it didn’t matter since Cole and I weren’t a real couple, and our fling would end before Sara insisted on meeting my new person.

I opened my empty refrigerator—realized I’d already eaten my leftover takeout—and had nothing for dinner. Not eating before seeing Cole would be a mistake, so I shoved a spoon in a jar of peanut butter. That would have to do for now.

I’d fought with myself all day about giving Cole the code to my apartment. Giving him the code meant I could be naked and waiting for him. Both of us would get off on that, but giving him the code treaded too far into boyfriend territory. No matter how good it felt, we weren’t moving in that direction. I knew that. My nosey sister knew that.

My phone pinged with a text from Cole; he’d picked up takeout for us. This was exactly why remembering we weren’t a couple was so fucking hard.

“Someone’s in a hurry,” Cole said, giving my body a slow perusal as he brushed past me into my apartment. I’d opted to greet him in my boxer briefs. “I can’t believe the marker on your leg is still intact.”

I didn’t tell him I’d wrapped it in plastic wrap when I’d showered. The chest tattoo had washed away.

“About that.” I waited for him to set the food down and look at me. “I want you to tattoo it for real.” He frowned, but I pushed on. “I’ll wait until your ink situation is fixed. Obviously.”

Cole crossed his arms over his chest. “That type of color in a tattoo will require maintenance every few years.”

His statement hung in the air between us. Another reality check that even if he brought me food, we did not have a future in which he would touch up my tattoo. Cole turned something ugly into a masterful design, and I couldn’t imagine it not being there.

“Can someone else do the touch-ups if you ink it? Or maybe Alec to do it?” If he said no, I’d take a picture and research other tattoo artists, but that took spare time I didn’t have.

“Fuck.” Cole turned away from me and braced his arms on the countertop. “I’ll do it,” he said. Part of me thought I should tell him I didn’t want it, but we’d made a pact to be honest, and I wanted it.

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