Page 16 of Treasured
Zoey shrugged. “He tried to enter without permission.” I didn’t say a word. She bumped into my side and asked, “What did he say, then?”
I met her concerned gaze and let out a sigh. The old me was inside and was used to being a silent sentinel. I forced my lips to open, and when I was able to, I said, “That he’ll sue me for sole custody.”
She took out her phone from her back pocket. “Let’s talk to Indigo, too, so you’re lawyered up, and we’ll get that custody issue handled fast.”
Our cousin Indigo married a billionaire, and his lawyer had been helping all the Steels since. I went to my fridge and took out my pitcher of cold filtered water and asked, “Is your sister still dating Frank?”
She grabbed a cup and handed it to me. “Natalie denies it and says they hate each other.”
Zoey’s older sister, Natalie, and Frank were intense. I took the cup and whispered, “That’s not hate in their eyes.”
She snorted. I sipped my water, and the cold tickled my throat while the frigid sensation somehow calmed the nerves in my stomach. After I finished, I said, “You don’t have to stay. I’m sure you have schoolwork.”
Zoey took another glass and poured herself a drink and said, “I can wait till Joseph gets back.”
“I…” My pulse skipped faster for a second. I shouldn’t be a burden, but then I took a deep breath. I’d offered, and she’d made a choice. I said, “Thanks.”
And then I called my brother. Joseph asked no questions and promised to be right over.
Luckily, he was single and free, though one day, I would find a way to pay him back for everything.
Zoey helped me prepare dinner. Time flew, and this time I heard my brother’s knock—three fast and one slow, with a tap of his finger. He’d had that knock with me since we were little. I opened the door.
He hugged me right away, and I tugged him in as I said, “Joseph. We made your favorites.”
“Good.” He patted his belly. “I’m hungry.”
Seriously, he could eat five-star cuisine, but here he was with my frozen mac and cheese.
Zoey quickly said, “And I have to go.”
Joseph took my key from the wall and said, “I’ll walk you to your car, Zoey. Lock your door, sis.”
I saluted him like we were in the army and followed them.
Bruce had fallen asleep surrounded by his stuffed animals, and I let him. When he woke, I would snuggle with him.
However, I grabbed my phone and texted Dwayne,I had unexpected drama to take care of. Sorry I can’t talk tonight.
Three dots appeared. My pulse now strummed in a new way, and then my phone beeped, and I read,I’ll be in town tomorrow night. Want to get coffee or is that too soon?
Maybe it was the amazing sex we’d shared, but Dwayne was a beautiful exception to my runaway impulse. I liked him and felt safe near. I quickly typed back,I don’t want to leave my son with the sitter too long.
Bring him.
Sweet words. Most men weren’t that into children.That’s not exactly romantic.
More dots. I closed my eyes and remembered how my lips had tingled from his kiss. When my phone beeped, my smile deepened.We’ll walk the park with our coffees, and you can tell me more about yourself.
Sweet. Dwayne was built like a tank, but somehow, I wasn’t afraid of him. I heard my brother with the key and typed fast,Okay. Text me when you arrive.
Joseph popped in a moment later and locked the door. I put plates on the table for us and grabbed a bottle in the fridge for my son. I scooped him in my arms now and held Bruce. I could have left him to sleep, but I didn’t have the heart. It had been too long since I held my now-twenty-pound baby.
Joseph grabbed the silverware and sat across from me. “You had trauma tonight,” he said.
I rested my son on one leg and ate one-handed. As I finished my first bite, I asked, “Did I interrupt a date or anything for you?”
He shook his head and said, “My company is on path to break into billion-dollar investments. I’m too swamped to date.”
