Page 28 of Exposed

Money isn’t an issue for me. Hope got with Noah a couple of years ago, and Noah is an investor. He offered to do an investment portfolio for me, and my money has been growing since. Even with the recent recession, he’s stillmiraculously growing my funds. Hope said he’s been studying finances since he was a kid, and he’s the most knowledgeable professional on the stock market.

“I don’t need your money. Pay it forward once you’re back on your feet,” I instruct.

“Whatever, golden boy,” she snaps, clearly uncomfortable with me helping her.

“You’re kind of a brat.”

“I’ve been called way worse. You can do better than that,” she retorts as she walks to the cupboard.

“Really?” I ask, stopping her with a hand around her bicep. “What if I wanted to call you something else?”

“Something worse?”

“No. Something better,” I answer. Likeprincess, orbeautiful. I wonder what pet names she likes.

Her eyes dart around the room, looking anywhere but at me. They finally land on Simon, and she whispers, “Focus on your son, Matt.”

She pulls out of my grasp, and I let her go.For now.

“I’m perfectly capable of focusing on both of you,” I say, but she doesn’t reply as she plucks a glass from the cupboard and fills it with water. And yes, I blatantly check out her beautiful, feminine hands and her delicate wrist as she flicks the water on, then off once the glass is full.

Pepper is a mystery to me, but I’m determined to figure her out.

10

MEET THE PARENTS

PEPPER

When I pull up to Matt’s house after work, I hoist my backpack onto my shoulders and walk up to his door.

Thankfully, my hunk of junk got me to work and back today. It’s anyone’s guess how many more miles this thing has in it, but I hope it doesn’t poop out on me. I don’t have money to get it fixed, because there are other more pressing matters that need my paychecks.

“Hey,” Matt grins as he opens the door. He’s once again only wearing a pair of athletic shorts.

It’s a struggle, but I keep my eyes focused on his face.

“Do you ever wear shirts?” I ask.

“Not if I can help it,” he grins. “Plus, skin-to-skin is important for Simon.”

“True.” And again.I’dlike skin-to-skin time with Matt, but Simon is his priority.

Shani scampers toward me, her tail wagging. Whenever she wags her tail, her whole butt wriggles. “She’s happy to see me,” I note.

“Of course, she is,” Matt grins.

Simon is laying on his tummy on a plush blue blanket on the carpet. Since Matt walked away from him to answer the door, he’s fussing.

“My mom said he needs to do tummy time, but he hates it,” Matt laments, walking back over to Simon.

“Most kids do. Have you tried reading a picture book to him?”

“Great idea. Why didn’t I think of that?” He goes to his bookshelf and picks up a picture book.

“You’re probably stressed. Becoming a dad overnight is wild.”

“You’re telling me. When Simon napped today, I was supposed to edit wedding photos.”

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