Page 156 of Flawed

My chest tightens. I'd love nothing more, but I don't want Chanel freaking out. I choose my words carefully, answering, "I have work I need to do tonight, so I won't be home. But you can another night."

Her face falls. She inquires, "On a Sunday night?"

I nod. "Sure. Doesn't your grandpa work on Sunday nights sometimes?"

She takes a deep breath, but her expression looks more upset. She says, "Yes."

I study her. "What's wrong?"

She bites her lip then turns toward the window. "Nothing."

I reach for her chin and turn it back. I assert, "Something is wrong."

She hesitates then admits, "I want to live with you."

My mouth turns dry. I reply, "Your mother would be devastated."

She shrugs. "She'd get over it."

I shake my head, insisting, "No, she wouldn't."

Zara shifts in her seat. She claims, "She's had me almost fifteen years. I'll be living on my own in a few years. Why can't I spend a few with you?"

"You'd miss your mom," I declare.

"No, I wouldn't. Please," she begs.

The car pulls up to the sushi restaurant, and I suggest, "Let's continue this conversation inside." I get out of the vehicle then reach in to help Zara out. I guide her into the restaurant, and the hostess seats us in the booth in the back.

She glances around then proclaims, "Total hole in the wall. I love places like this!"

I pat myself on the back for getting it right. "Yeah?"

"My mom and I always try to find places like this. We have a list of ones we hear about that we need to go to," she informs me.

"Maybe we can tackle that list together," I state.

Zara's grin widens. "That would be fun."

A server sets two glasses of water in front of us. "Did you know what you want?"

I ask Zara, "What do you like?"

"Everything."

"Want me to order?"

"Sure!" she chirps.

I order a Koni and seaweed salad, salmon and fatty tuna sashimi, and four signature rolls that no one else in New York City makes. The server writes it down and leaves.

With caution, I get my thoughts in order and comment, "Let's finish our conversation."

"If you let me come live with you, I promise I won't be a pest," she states.

I jerk my head backward then reply, "That thought never even entered my mind."

"Oh. Okay. So can I?" she pleads and bats her eyelashes at me.

---