Page 36 of Who's Your Daddy
Chapter 12
Cal
Traffic to Jersey is a bitch. The roads are full of people who would rather live in the city but have chosen to do the whole suburban thing, clogging the lanes in their oversized vans and SUVs. Every one of them wears a frown as I speed by them in my Aston Martin DB12 Volante.
Though I’m focused on the road, keeping my passenger safe, my mind is a mess. I keep going back to the way Sloaney was laughing with Will.
Should I tell my brother?
Is there anythingtotell my brother?
Lola would know what to do. Hell, Lola probably has all the details already, since she and Sloane are best friends.
Hm.
I glance in the rearview mirror at Murphy. “Should we take dinner to Lola? She’s all alone in her new flat.”
Murphy frowns, his focus remaining fixed on the passing scenery. “Didn’t she live alone before moving here?”
“Yes, but she hates Jersey,” I explain. She’s probably lonely and miserable without us.
Sure, you prat.
Murphy shrugs. “I could go for pizza.”
“That’s it, lad!”
Wait, does Lola like pizza? Everyone likes pizza, right?
An hour later—traffic really was terrible—we arrive at Lola’s flat and I spot Benjamine.
“Benjamine!”
“Cal! Do you need help with that?” He strides for me, arms outstretched to take the stack of pizza boxes I’m balancing. I wasn’t sure which Lola would prefer, so I got several options. I ordered a salad as a backup in case she hates them all.
“I’ve got it.” I peer at him over the cardboard. “Can you just buzz me up?”
“Is Ms. Caruso expecting you?” he asks as he lifts the phone.
I grin. Even with me, the bloke’s careful. That’s exactly what I was going for. Lola deserves that type of loyalty. “Nope, but call her and let her know I come bearing gifts and Murphy.”
She can’t possibly say no to him.
Me? Possibly. My charm doesn’t work on her the way it does with the rest of the world.
He turns away, and as he speaks softly into the phone, Murphy glances up at me, brows raised, like he’s saying,you really think this will work?
I shrug.
That’s the extent of the interaction, but it’s got giddiness bubbling up inside me. We just held our first silent conversation.
Head tipped up, I glance at the door so I can hide my grin.
“She said I can buzz you up,” Benjamine says.
I break into a cheeky smile and wink at my little sidekick. “Well, look at that.”
Murphy shakes his head, but as he ducks, I catch just a glimpse of a smile.
