Page 110 of Payoff Pitch

Bailey interrupts, “Only when you don’t have Harper. Otherwise, you’re an attentive father, just like ours was. Trust me, it matters.”

Kamryn asks, “Is your ex-wife a deadbeat mother like Beverly was?”

Chris gives her a disapproving look. “Cut it out, Kamryn.”

Bailey motions toward Harper indicating that Kamryn needs to zip her lips, and then says, “Fallon is a wonderfulmother. She misses nothing. She works like a dog when Mr. Montgomery has Harper so she’s completely available to Harper when she has her. And regardless of where Harper is staying, Fallon comes to every game and recital.” She smiles at Harper. “I hope to be as good of a mom one day as your mom.”

I squeeze her leg under the table in appreciation. And then her words sink in. Bailey wants to be a mother one day. What the hell am I doing with her? I’m done having kids. Maybe it’s time to end this for Bailey’s sake. She won’t see anyone else while she’s with me. How will she find the right man if she spends all her free time with me? I know I’m being selfish, but I’m just not ready to let her go yet.

BAILEY

I throw my would-be winning hand on the table face down as I fold. Shaking my head, I say, “Darn. You win again, Harper. Are you sure you haven’t played before?”

Harper has a huge smile on her adorable little face as she proudly displays her two pairs. “Read ‘em and weep, suckers.” Something she learned from my sister tonight.

Kam is about to interrupt with a better hand when I grab her arm and grit out, “You should fold too, sis.”

She narrows her eyes at me. She hates losing, especially fake losing, but eventually relents and throws her cards down. “Fine. Last time Ilosethough.”

I smile innocently. “No problem. It’s past Harper’s bedtime, and we should get going. I’m sure Mr. Montgomery has work to do.”

Dad stands and holds out his hand to Tanner. “Thank you for having us. This was quite a treat.”

Porterhouse steaks were definitely not a regular dinner in our house growing up. Tanner went overboard on the food tonight.

Tanner smiles and shakes his hand in return. “My pleasure.” He places his hand on Harper’s shoulder. “We consider ourselves lucky to have Bailey. She’s remarkable. I see the apple didn’t fall far from the tree.”

Harper walks over and hugs my waist before pouting. “I go to Mommy’s tomorrow, so I won’t see you for three days. I’ll miss you.”

I bend down and hug her back. “I’ll miss you too, baby girl. Remember, you can FaceTime me from Mommy’s phone whenever you want. I’m only a call away.”

She nods. After we say our goodbyes, we head out to the car. Kam offers, “Daddy, why don’t you sit up front? I’m sure you havelotsto talk to Bails about.”

I narrow my eyes at her, but she simply smiles.

We get settled in, and I pull the car out of the driveway.

He blows out a breath. “Bailey, you’ve always been so level-headed. Do you think spending time with a much older man is a good idea? One who you work for.”

Kam makes a sound of disgust. “Ugh, that’s it? I waited all night for this conversation and the best you can do is,” in a deep voice she repeats, “’do you think spending time with a much older man is a good idea?’”

Dad rarely gets angry, but he turns back to Kam. “Butt out and mind your own damn business, Kamryn. I expect this shit from you but not from her.”

Kam sucks in a breath. I can count on one hand how many times in our lives my father has spoken to either of us this way. She leans back and remains quiet. Both are waiting for me to respond.

Tears fill my eyes at the thought of disappointing him. “I’m sorry you feel that way. You, more than anyone, know that you can’t help who you love.”

Kam spits out, “Love? Are you fucking nuts? Bang him andget it out of your system. You don’t fall in love with a guy like Tanner Montgomery.”

I briefly turn back and glare at her. “A responsible, kind, smart, handsome, sweet man?” I sarcastically add, “I must truly be crazy to fall for a man like that. Maybe it’s not headed anywhere, but there are real feelings involved. Is it better to hop around from meaningless encounter to meaningless encounter like you?”

Kam counters, “You don’t know shit about me.”

Our father rubs his forehead. “Girls, don’t fight.” His face softens as he looks at me. “I’m worried about you, sweetheart. You’re from separate worlds and at different points in your life. He’s so much older than you. You’re still a kid.”

I squeeze the steering wheel in frustration. “I’m not a kid. I’m a twenty-eight-year-old grown woman. I can more than handle myself. Right now, he makes me happy. I make him happy too. As long as we’re both happy, there’s no reason to change things.”

Kam shoots back, “Then why keep it a secret? Why are you ashamed?”

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