Page 53 of The Secret

“Bet he gets MVP again.”

“Nah, he’ll get Hall of Fame.”

“How long’s he got left on his contract?”

“Dunno, couple of years maybe? Madness he won’t come to the Yankees.”

My head went back and forth between them, trying to focus on the baseball chat and push Kit out of my head. But it wasn’t working. I couldn’t concentrate.

“He’s a lifer though. He’ll never leave the Dodgers.”

I knew I could add to this chat. I’d known Jupiter for a few years through the network of Jasper and Cooper, but my brain wasn’t computing.

Nope, definitely not.

I groaned, flinging my head back in the chair. “While I’d love to contribute to this conversation, I’m having an actual crisis here with which I need help.”

Rafe returned his attention to me. “Alright, Romeo. What do you want to do?”

“I don’t know.”

“Well maybe that’s where you start.”

“Where?”

“Murray, bud,” he leaned forward again. “Do you want to date her or fuck her?”

“Ooh, maybe she’ll call you ‘daddy’.” Penn was the only one laughing at his joke.

I clenched my fists.

“I don’t want to fuck her.” I frowned, hearing the words. “I mean, I do, obviously, but I don’t want tofuckher, fuck her. It’s not about sex. I like hanging out with her. She’s different. She’s sweet. She doesn’t bitch, she doesn’t moan or get angry. I don’t even think she swears. And she fucking puts up with you two more than she ever should. I like her. So, date I guess.”

“But how are you going to date her? Who would babysit?” Rafe smirked.

“Oh fuck off!” I wailed, and it was quite possible I might actually start crying at this rate. “This is serious. If you’re not going to help, then leave me alone so I can at least pretend to work.”

“Okay, seriously, you want to date her? Is this a settling down situation?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know, maybe.”

So much had happened in the last two months my head could barely figure out what day of the week it was. Two months ago, settling down was not anywhere on my agenda. The ink wasn’t even in the pen, let alone writing it down.

But now?

Could I see myself settling down? Maybe.

Could I see it with Kit? Fuck yes.

I pictured her with Bell; pictured her face lighting up when I gave her the Shakespeare book, the richness of her eyes almost melting to hot chocolate. I’d stood outside Bell’s room later listening to her read it, soothing Bell’s grumblings with her soft, lilting tone, until my heart squeezed so much it was amazing my ribs were still intact.

“And what if you didn’t have Bell? Is this because of her?”

“I dunno. It’s a stupid question because I do have Bell. Anyone I date needs to be worthy of being around her, which Kit definitely is. Although I’m not sure I’m worthy of being around Kit. She’s fucking smart and funny and…”

“And she bakes,” offered up Penn. “I was being serious when I said you should marry her for the baking, and if you don’t, I might.”

Jealously flared strong and true. I might have very well shot lasers out of my eyes.

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