Page 30 of Second Chance at Love (Chance At Love Duet 1)

“About what?” I asked.

“It is a beautiful house,” he commented. “What business was your husband in?”

“Wow, Kristoff. This is a bit degrading. Not sure that I appreciate that kind of conclusion on your part,” I murmured a bit annoyed. “Dick move.”

“My apologies, Gemma,” his voice was sincere. “The house is beautiful, and the waterfront view must be spectacular.”

I couldn’t help it and started laughing.

“Well, I am sorry to disappoint and have a nice house,” I announced, still laughing. “Next time I’ll be sure I have a shack of a house. And for your information, I bought the house alone. I worked my ass off for it. I thought your background check was detailed. You should mandate a refund. And maybe next time, you should have them more focused on where your admins live versus how many dates they’ve been to.”

He had a smile on his face. “There will be no need for next time because I already got my admin.”

I shook my head in a bit of disbelief. “Do you want anything to drink before we head out?”

“No, I’m good. We should probably get going,” he answered.

“Girls, c’mon, we are ready to go,” my voice carried over our yard. I looked to Kristoff. “Give me a second; I’ll just go get the gift and lock the house.”

I ran into the house, grabbed the gift, locked the door, and was back to Kristoff’s car just as he was lifting Saoirse into his expensive Land Rover, and then Sierra. I came up behind him, and watched him fumble with the child seat belts for Sierra.

“Who invented this mess?” he mumbled.

I put my hand on his shoulder and chuckled. “Here let me, Kristoff. Whoever thought brilliant, smart Kristoff couldn’t put a child seat on?”

He gave me a smirk, and I laughed harder as I went closer to Sierra and buckled her up.

“You should show me how to do it,” Kristoff said, and I smiled.

“I am glad there is at least one thing you cannot do well,” I chuckled. “Sienna, you got Saoirse buckled?”

Sienna nodded, and Saoirse answered, “Yes, Mommy. Sienna put my seatbelt on.”

Kristoff went around his vehicle and got in, and I sat in the passenger seat.

“Nice car,” Sienna said. “Mom always said if she won the Powerball, she’ll get a Land Rover.”

I inadvertently winced, wishing she had not said that.

“You play Powerball ?” Kristoff asked. I looked at him, and Sienna answered in my stead.

“Nope, she very rarely buys the ticket.”

Kristoff started the vehicle and we were on our way to his mother’s birthday party. The girls were all chatting amongst each other, talking, playing word games, singing, and Sienna on her phone chiming in only when she wanted.

“Is something wrong?” Kristoff asked.

“Ah, no… no, not really,” I answered.

“If you saynoone more time, I might actually believe you even less.” Kristoff had a point there.

“Just kind of weird,” I mumbled glancing back to ensure my kids were not listening. “Going to my boss’ mother’s birthday party.”

“Don’t think of me as your boss this weekend. She liked you a lot... and your girls. Usually she does not take to people as fast as she did to you.”

“Well, she is very nice as well. Very fun, which is surprising,” I mumbled again.

Kristoff chuckled. “How come I have a feeling there is a part of that sentence you left unsaid and it is not meant as a compliment to me?”

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