Page 95 of Engulfing Emma

“He is, but he sticks his fingers everywhere. Up his nose, in his ears, in his dirty di—”

She cups a hand over my mouth. “Will you shut up? I don’t want to think about where his fingers have been the next time I see him. Just … gross.”

Both of us are laughing when I see a group of women enter the restaurant. I become quiet and focused, thinking I see Emma. But when the woman turns around, I realize it’s not her.

“What is it?” Bria asks.

“Nothing. I thought I saw someone I knew, that’s all.”

She looks at the women and back at me. “Speaking of women, how’s the sexy single mom?”

“Still using me,” I say bitterly.

“You mean because she only wants to sleep with you?” She laughs. “You do realize how many guys would kill for that kind of NSA relationship.”

“NSA?”

“No strings attached.”

I shake my head. “Maybe, but not me.”

“Why not you?”

I’ve been asking myself that question for a long time. I’ve just never been honest enough with myself to give the answer. I run my hands through my hair. “Because I think I’m in love with her.”

“No way. Really?” She can’t wipe the smile off her face.

“Yes really. But it’s nothing to smile about. She’s dating other guys.”

“I know. You told me. You also told me her daughter says she isn’t sleeping with any of them.”

I belt out an incredulous laugh. “You mean the twelve-year-old I have a secret relationship with? God, Bria, do you know how fucked up this is? And now Emma wants me to go to Germany with her and her daughter. The woman who doesn’t want a relationship with me wants me to fly halfway around the world with her.”

“She’s full of shit, Brett. She totally wants a relationship with you. Girls don’t ask men to fly to Germany unless they are into them.”

“I never said she isn’t into me. I said she doesn’t want to date me.”

“So she sleeps with you but doesn’t date you, and she dates other guys she doesn’t sleep with.”

I nod at the absurdity of it all. “Like I said, fucked up.”

She studies me intently. She takes a bite of her salad and then points her fork at me. “She’s seeing if there’s another you out there. One who isn’t like her father. But deep down she’s probably drawn to youbecauseyou’re like her father, even if she can’t admit it.”

I narrow my eyes at my introspective little sister. “Maybe you’re in the wrong profession.”

She laughs. “It just so happens I know the inner workings of the female mind.”

“You think I should just sit back and put up with her kicking me out of bed and dating other men?”

“As long as she’s not sleeping with them—yes. Let her keep searching, big brother. She’ll never find another Brett Cash. You’re one of a kind. She’ll come to her senses sooner or later.”

“I hope you’re right. So, you think I should go to Germany with her?”

“Hell yes. Maybe Germany is where she comes to her senses.”

“We’ll be there with her kid. That’s hardly the setting for some kind of romantic epiphany.”

“Mark my words. You go to Germany with her, and she’ll cave.” She looks at her watch and puts down her fork. “I’ve gotta bolt. I have a jam session with some friends.”

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