Page 50 of More than Paper

“I don’t want you to do anything of the sort.”

“Well, it’s not right.”

“Says who?”

I’m not getting very far here.

“Can I tell you something?”

“What?”

“I have money. If I want to buy you something, I’m going to. Just say thank you, and don’t analyze it. It makes me happy knowing you aren’t working all day on a crappy computer.”

“Jamison—”

“Shh. Let’s talk about something else.”

I take a deep breath.

“Did your motor run out yet?”

“Jamison!” I scold, trying to bite back a smile.

“Did you and Vivian decide when you’re coming back to visit Charlotte?”

“Not yet. It won’t be for several weeks.” There is a knock. “Hold on a minute, someone is at my door.”

“Okay, doll.”

I look out the peephole to see who it is.

Why is Steven here?

“Steven, how did you get in?”

“Someone was leaving.”

“Oh.”

“Are you going to invite me in?”

“Sorry. Come in.” I open the door and step back. “What are you doing here?”

“Who’s that?” He points to the phone where Jamison’s face is displayed.

I quickly say to Jamison, “I need to go. My brother is here.”

“All right, doll. I’m glad you got home safe. Talk soon.”

“Bye.” I wave and hang up.

My brother raises his eyebrows. He has the same blue eyes and strawberry blond hair as I do. My friends all think he’s hot, but he’s so serious all the time about everything in life and working his way up the corporate ladder that I wonder if he’ll ever get a girlfriend.

“A friend of mine.”

“He called you doll.”

I don’t say anything, but heat flushes my cheeks.

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