Page 23 of 7+Us Makes Nine

“That isn’t all,” I said.

“Holy shit, did you sleep with him?”

“No. Jes-... no, Emma. I didn’t. I’m not you.”

“Thanks, jerk.”

“Not what I meant. I just…”

I sighed and put my head in my hands.

“What happened, Catherine? You can tell me. Lord knows I’ll understand.”

“We shared this moment on his porch. I mean, we were so close to kissing. And I wanted to kiss him. I really did. His hand was on my cheek and his body was pressed against mine. It’s been so long since I’d felt that beautiful and wanted.”

“Then why didn’t you kiss him?” she asked.

“His daughter started laughing from behind the door and it just… sobered the moment. The rational part of me kicked in immediately. How it wouldn’t be good for the kids. Confusing for them. Bad for me, since I was just employed by him.”

“Yep. I know that dance. Are things awkward between you two now?”

“Not really. But I don’t see him much. He’s working a lot of late hours and he’s usually gone before the kids and I get up in the morning.”

“Is he paying you well at least?” she asked.

“More money than he needs to be giving me, that’s for sure,” I said.

“Are you just wanting to vent? Or are you wanting my advice?”

“A little of both, I guess

?”

“Do you like Jace?”

“I think he’s a good guy, yeah.”

“Of course he’s a good guy. But do you like him?”

“I don’t know. I don’t really know him.”

“Would you like to get to know him?” Emma asked.

I leaned back into my chair and sat on my hands.

“Yeah,” I said. “Yeah, I’d like to get to know him.”

“As more than a boss?”

“Yes,” I said as I rolled my eyes.

“Then take it from me. I’m the example of what not to do in this situation. If you want to get to know the man, then do it. If you have feelings, play into them. Don’t dance around it like I did with Ryan. I almost destroyed things that way.”

“So this isn’t a bad thing?” I asked.

“No, Catherine. It’s really not. I’m not saying it could be something permanent. But I am saying it’s been a long time since I’ve seen you this worried over what a guy thinks about you. I think you should go for it, personally. You were the one who pushed me initially to be with Ryan before you started warning me about his reputation and freaked me the hell out.”

“I still feel like shit about that.”

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