Page 98 of Who's Your Daddy
Before I can stomp away, he sighs and says, “Lo, wait.”
Despite how sick I am of the way he’s dragging this out, I give him a minute while he scrubs a hand down his face, collecting his thoughts.
“We need you.” His shoulders droop. “The firm needs you. I need you.”
I step up to the counter again, hands splayed on the Formica. “I’m not going anywhere.”
He zeroes in on me, challenge in his eyes, though the words come out low, halting, like he hates them even as he says them. “And when things go bad with Cal, when he moves on to the next woman, you’re telling me that you won’t be hurt? That you won’t want to leave?”
I choke back a retort. Snapping back will only make me sound like every other dumb girl in history.
So with a slow sip of vodka, I collect my thoughts. It burns down my throat, and when the sensation dissipates, what’s left behind is the same feeling that’s lingered all day. Certainty. The highball glass clinks against the counter as I slam it down.
Frustration floods through my veins. How could this man I’ve trusted so completely try to cloud my mind with doubts like this?
“What Cal and I haveisdifferent. He’s different. And you should pay attention to that.”
He lets out a humorless laugh.
“Seriously. He’s not going to hurt me.” The sureness of the statement settles through me as I voice the sentiment.
Forearms on the counter, he hangs his head, like he’s weighed down by the conversation. Rather than fight back like I expect, he shakes his head.“That’s good because I’d hate to break his pretty face.”
I snort.
“We redheads have to stick together, you know.” He smirks, a hint of light returning to those golden eyes.
I shake my head, softening a little. “Dylan and I are redheads. You got the annoyingly perfect chestnuty auburn color I always wished for.”
“Nah.” He chuckles and lifts his glass. “You burn too brightly for that.” He downs another mouthful of liquor. “Plus, Cal likes redheads.”
At the sound of a throat clearing behind us, I whip around.
Cal stands across the room, his hair sticking up all over like he’s run his hands through it. His tie is loose and the top button of his shirt is undone. The less than perfect presentation looks damn good on him.
“Cal likesthisredhead.” Pointing at me, he drops his briefcase on the Ping-Pong table and stalks across the room.
Warmth blooms in my chest. His presence used to annoy me, set me off, but now it’s like my favorite hoodie. A comfort I long to come home to and snuggle up with.
“Justthis redhead.” He bands a strong arm around my waist and pulls me in until my back is flush with his chest and his lips are pressed to the crown of my head. “Alwaysthis one.” The words dance across my scalp, and I shiver.
“How long have you been here?” The contentment his presence brings is stamped out by fear. Because Brian’s comments were not complimentary. I can only imagine how upsetting they’d be.
But the unease is wiped away as he tightens his arm around me.
“Long enough, Lola. Long enough.”
“Well.” Brain clears his throat and sets his now-empty glass of vodka on the counter, still hunched over. “I guess I’ll leave you two be.”
“In the general sense or for now?” Cal’s voice lacks its normal lightness.
“Both.” He pushes off the counter, his eyes a little bloodshot. “Lo, I’m sorry I was a dick.” He gives me a quick smile, though when his gaze slides to Cal, his lips turn down. “And dumbass you better be as devoted as she believes you are. If you hurt her, I will break your very straight nose and then I’ll be forced to let her leave before her ninety days are up.”
Rather than bristle, Cal laughs. “Won’t be an issue.”
“I’m good here,” I say. “Promise.”
Brian shakes his head. “Who are you and what have you done with my paralegal? Are you seriously choosing to stay in Jersey forCal?”
