Page 8 of Final Chance At Love (Chance At Love Duet 2)

“Good,” I mumbled to myself. “They made it.” I shot a quick message back letting them know I had found my phone.

“Who made it?” Rick asked, still glancing back to Kristoff occasionally. I wondered what Rick was thinking.

“Laura took the girls to Florida for a week. Seems there are only two school days this coming week, so they all wanted to go.”

Rick raised his eyebrow. “And you let them?” He glanced back to Kristoff. “This is the same woman that refused to go to dinner and leave her babies with a sitter.”

Kristoff raised an eyebrow and studied me with a little smile on his face.

“What do you mean by that?” I questioned, glancing between the two. “I always let them go with Laura when she wants them.”

“Wow, slow down,” Rick said defensively. “I just meant I’m surprised you are ok being without them for a week.”

I gently pushed him. “I’m not a control freak if that is what you are trying to say.”

He chuckled to that. “I would never say that.” And added, teasing, “I’d only think it.”

Now I laughed, and this time I gently punched him. “Sierra is older now so it’s different, and they all really wanted to go.” I exhaled and jokingly added. “They are not even in college yet and already want to leave me.”

“They’ll never leave you,” Rick comforted me. “It's a shame you can’t have any more…” He abruptly cut himself off, and he looked so uncomfortable that I took pity on him.

I glanced back to Kristoff. He was leaning back in his chair, and he looked like a king observing his subjects, his body posture relaxed. But I got a distinct feeling he was anything but relaxed.

“That’s ok, Rick,” I insisted softly. “Kristoff knows. I was just telling him about my anemia causing constant nausea.” I glanced at Kristoff, and added, “It also causes issues during pregnancy, which caused my miscarriages. Hence no more kids.” He just gave me a solemn nod.

“Oh,” and that was all Rick said. I didn’t blame him, because it was weird that Kristoff knew. Except that it was brought up with the stipulation of Kristoff’s contract. I frowned remembering the personal contract. We didn’t discuss signing it, and I looked at Kristoff. I didn’t have to guess; I just knew he was thinking the same.

“Anyhow,” Rick started and stood up. “I better go. Are you coming to the nightclub?”

I rolled my eyes at Rick. “Ugh, I promised her. Can’t you convince her it is a bad idea?”

“Yeah, right.” He looked at me pointedly. “There is no way Betty will change her mind when she wants something.”

“Is it tonight?”

“Yes,” he sounded displeased with the idea too.

“On the busiest night of the week?” I exasperatedly asked. “Is she sure? It will be crowded as heck.”

He shrugged his shoulder and mumbled, “Yep.” He leaned forward to kiss me on the cheek. “I’ll talk to you later. Please don’t bail. For me, because I don’t know how I’d handle all night at the club by myself with her and her friends.”

I laughed out loud. “You’ll be fine. And I promise, I’ll come.”

Rick looked at Kristoff and added, “Nice seeing you again, Kristoff… bye you two.”

He left, and I still had a little smile on my face. I turned to Kristoff, and he looked cold and aloof although not displeased. I leaned back against the cushions of the couch, observing him.

“Would you like anything else to eat?” I asked.

“No, thank you,” his voice was nonchalant.

I continued observing him, waiting for him to say something but nothing came out of those beautiful kissable lips.

Then I finally caved in. “Why do I get the sense there is something you want to say? I feel like there is a cat and mouse game going on, and I am the mouse. I don’t like it.”

A smile lit up his face and he walked over to me in his powerful stride. He sat down next to me, grabbed my butt with both his arms, and lifted me over sitting me on his lap.

“Whoa there,” I squealed in surprise.

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