Page 42 of The Baby Bargain
My fingers reach for his skin.
Thankfully, he's too far away. I manage to press them into the table. To look with my eyes.
Semper ad meliora
Always toward better things.
"Hunter did it." His eyes turn down. "We used to be—"
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be—"
"Not for asking. I'm sorry things are strained. I can't imagine."
His voice is steady. Sure. "It's not his fault things are strained."
"He was the one who lied."
"Yeah, but he couldn't help it. That's what addiction does to people. It turns them into monsters who will destroy anything in the way of their next fix."
That's perceptive. "You sympathize?"
"Not exactly."
"But you haven't forgiven him?"
"It's not a logical thing."
For once, I understand. "It's hard."
"Yeah." His gaze darts around the room. Stops on a woman gawking at his stomach. "Shit." He chuckles as he drops his shirt. "I must look like Wes."
"A little." His little brother does like showing off. But Chase does it in a different way. He's making a point. Sayingthis is me, take it or leave it.
Sure, he's inviting stares, but—
It's hard to explain.
It's just…
Yummy.
God, I should ask Skye for help with adjectives.
Right now, my brain is a neon sign flashingyummy, yummy, yummy.
He's sitting, staring at me, ready to discuss important things.
And I'm picturing him shirtless.
But God he really is yummy.
"You okay?" he asks.
I force my eyes to the table. It's expensive. Well made. Solid wood.
My cheeks flame.
