Page 44 of The Dating Pact

Ok.

OK????

What do you mean ok?

I don’t even know if she gets along with her family or if she had pets growing up but I know that she likes to tie people up.

Brooke

I’m not sure what you want me to say here.

Brooke

But isn’t it better to know that up front? So you aren’t surprised later?

I guess.

She also talked about masks.

Brooke

Masks?

Yeah. She has fantasies about people wearing masks.

I didn’t have the balls to ask her what kinds of masks. Was afraid to open that Pandora’s box.

It took a minute for her to respond.

Brooke

Want to smoke tonight?

Yup.

Hours later, I stood next to Dylan at the chain link fence while Sebastian’s baseball practice finished up.

“One more lap!” Dylan shouted with his hands cupped around his mouth then removed his hat to swipe his hand through his hair before placing it back on his head. “What’s up with you? You seem all jittery.”

“I had a date this afternoon.”

He flicked his eyes toward me, his only reaction.

“It was…awkward.”

He nodded, not requiring any more explanation.

“Thanks for taking Lulu today.”

“Yeah. No problem.” He glanced over his shoulder at his fiancée, who sat with Scarlett and Amelia in the stands. “Gen had a girls’ day with them. They loved it.” Then he clapped a few times, calling his team’s attention. “Nice work! Collect all your equipment, and I’ll see you at the game on Thursday!”

The boys scattered, but I kept my gaze on Sebastian as he laughed with his friend. Baseball was doing wonders for his confidence, but I didn’t like how it pulled him away from me.

As if Dylan knew the path my thoughts had gone down, he elbowed me. “Seb’s doing great. His motivation’s improved, his skill, his attitude… He’s a good dude.”

I nodded. “It’s hard, you know? It’s been only me and the kids for so long. It’s hard to have them leave the nest.”

“Are they leaving the nest, or are you?”

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