Page 89 of The Baby Bargain
"We'd be lucky to have you permanently."
His shoulders drop with relief. "I hate asking—"
"Seriously, Forest. It's not a problem." If anything, it's a solution. At least, if I've been reading the owners here right. "You're doing me a favor."
"Yeah?" He raises a browthat's bullshit.
"You think they keep me around for my sunny disposition?"
He chuckles. "Why else?"
I share his laugh. "Maybe it's the looks."
He makes thatyou're okaymotion. Offers me his hand.
I shake.
He pulls me into a hug. Pats me on the back. "You're a good friend."
But all I hear isthen why the fuck are you keeping secrets?
You want to push him away too?
Chapter Twenty
Chase
My day is back-to-back appointments. Short break for lunch. Another for coffee. Then the steady buzz of the needle and the groans of Emma's favorite music.
My brother's girlfriend slash the part-time manager has the same taste in music as I do.
Maybe that should embarrass me—she's nearly ten years my junior—but it doesn't. I've never been embarrassed by the things I love.
The band she plays isn't my favorite, but they're familiar. I can see Grace singing their lyrics, squealing over tickets to a show, promising I was way hotter than their lead singer.
And I can see Ariel sitting on my couch, laughing about my taste, humming to the melody, looking at me with all the understanding in the world.
Fuck, I want her. I really do.
So much that I need to do the right thing. I need to stay out of her life. So I don't fuck that up too.
I practice explanations on my walk to the gym, during my bench presses, during my shower, as I cook dinner (for two, just in case she's early), while I set the table.
The second she steps into my apartment, I lose my train of thought.
"Hey." She looks up at me with those big, brown eyes. "Did you…" She crosses the room to me. Takes my hand. Squeezes tightly. "Did you decide?"
This is where I sayno, I'm sorry. I like you too much to risk fucking you up.
But I don't.
I stare into her dark eyes, and I say, "I'll do it."
Chapter Twenty-One
Chase
Ariel's smile spreads over her face. It lights up her dark eyes until they're brighter than the sun. "Really?"
