Page 51 of More than Paper

Damn, my brother. Why can’t he mind his own business?

“Who is he?”

“Just a friend I met in New York.”

“This past week?”

“Yes.”

“Why’s he calling you doll if he’s just a friend?”

“I’m thirty years old. Stop butting into my business and drilling me like I’ve done something wrong.”

“Why aren’t you answering my question?”

I need to get off the topic of Jamison.

“Why are you here? Everything okay with Mom?” My brother never just pops in.

“Mom’s fine. How’s Charlotte?”

“She’ll be okay but has a long recovery ahead of her.”

“I’m glad she is going to recover.”

“Yes. So why are you here?”

“Wow. No love for me. You haven’t even hugged me.”

“Sorry, but you never stop in unannounced.” I hug him.

“I was driving past and thought we should grab dinner. I haven’t seen you in a while. You want to go?”

“You buying?”

Like I need to ask.

“With your salary, of course. Pick a place.”

And there’s the job jab.

“For that comment, I’m going to pick the most expensive place.”

“I already made us a reservation at Kincaid’s if you want to go there.”

“I guess I can go there if you’re going to make me,” I tease him. Kincaid’s is an upscale restaurant too costly for my budget, so I’ve only been there with my brother. “Let me go change. Make yourself at home.”

“Okay.”

I wheel my suitcase.

The Mac.I still can’t believe Jamison bought me a top-of-the-line laptop. I want to be able to accept it graciously, but I’m not used to men buying me expensive items.

I open my suitcase to pull out my makeup, and the books Jamison bought on our date are on top. I had forgotten about those. We hadn’t talked about the bookstore, and I hadn’t seen the books after that night. There’s a note on top.

Quinn,

Let’s discuss after you read. I’m interested in what you think.

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