Page 52 of Mr. Flirt

Lucy, however, was just perfection. She knew where to spend her time, and her knowledge was what made her successful, and I certainly didn’t want to get in her way.

But maybe what she needed to learn had absolutely nothing to do with sex and everything to do with time.

“I’ll takeyouover spaghetti anytime. But your timing only gives me seven hours, which means I’d have to leave the office in six hours to make sure I’m home in time.”

I nodded and laughed. “I’ll make it worth your while.”

She rolled her eyes as a smile replaced her annoyance. “Fine. But only because you’ve given me early access to my favorite video game of all time.”

I laughed and shook my head. “That’s the only reason?”

She winked at me. “Only reason.”

“Tell me one thing.” I let my arms fall from her waist as she reached over to grab her purse. “Do you plan on seeing other people? You know, you told me I could. Do you expect the same courtesy?”

Lucy cracked a smile but didn’t say anything. Instead, she slid the ride share app up on her phone and winked at me, leaving me completely naked in my bedroom to wonder how I was going to handle falling in love with a woman I couldn’t have.

When I heard the front door click, I sat on the edge of my bed with nothing more than a sheet draped over me.

And that’s when I realized that she already knew the rules better than I did.

Staying here with me would make things complicated and real. She wasn’t ready for real.

I probably wasn’t, either. But there was this irritating feeling ramping up inside me whenever I thought about her being with someone else.

All because I met her at the wrong time, doing the wrong thing to the wrong person while pretending to be the wrong person.

I placed my head in my hands and let out a groan of frustration that, for the first time in my life, I’d found my person. The one woman who would tell me like it was and put me in my place while turning me on with every glance in her direction.

Every part of Lucy’s being made me want to unwrap all of her. I didn’t believe that her being a divorce lawyer was the only reason she was against relationships. I wanted to know the real reason. I wanted to be the person to change her mind. I wanted to convince her that love wasn’t a disease, but first, I had to convince myself.

Chapter Eighteen

The Spread of Shep

Lucy

Danni had specific instructions and a very important piece of paper to hold up if her ex tried to intimidate her or call the police on her for living in her own house. I also had a few connections at the police department and filled an officer in on what was going on and that there was a newborn at the house.

The last thought made my stomach knot.

How could another human being do that to their own flesh and blood and the mother who birthed the tiny and helpless little baby?

The pain from my palms made me gasp, and I quickly unclenched my fists, not even realizing I’d been digging my nails into my skin at the thought of everything happening to my best friend.

No one deserved this.

And this was one of the many things I was afraid of.

Being hurt and bullied and torn apart.

I wasn’t like Danni. I wasn’t sure I could put myself back together again.

Watching my mom struggle while I grew up and having to step in and raise Mae made me rethink a lot about what I wanted in life. The resounding answers always seemed to center around stability.

I wanted emotional stability and financial stability.

Judging by my chosen line of work, the easiest way to obtain those things was to remain single.

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