Page 57 of Daddy's Game

I startled myself, jumping and nearly losing my grip on my phone. My thumb smeared over the red end call icon, and the phone went dark.

Oh no. What did I just do?

I considered calling her back, but that might have made things even more awkward. I’d said the three little words I vowed I would never say to any woman, ever. Not since I’d seen so many of my peers driven to ulcers and anxiety by being dumb enough to fall in love. Not since I’d lost my father, and closed off my heart.

I’d said the words to Grace, though, and I’d meant them. Whole heartedly.

I was just trying to get that corner lot when this all started. Now…I don’t know what to believe. About myself, or where this thing with Grace is going.

One thing I did know to be true– I had fallen in love with Grace.

And I had admitted it out loud.

21

GRACE

Inearly dropped my phone when I heard Brock’s farewell.

Did he…did he just tell me he loves me?

My heart fluttered in my chest like the wings of butterflies. I had to sit down, even though I was supposed to be walking out the door for the zoning board meeting. The whole world seemed to spin every time I closed my eyes even for a split second.

Brock loves me. Oh my god. Do I love him, too?

I feared to examine those feelings too closely. Not just because I was running late for an important meeting, either.

I really like him. We get along so well. He treats me like a princess when I want to be treated that way, and takes me seriously when I need that.

I shook my head as if to clear it, and reared up from my sofa. I steeled myself and marched out the door, intending to make my meeting on time after all.

I mean, what is love anyway? Isn’t it just a change in brain chemistry? A purely hormonal, scientific process?

I stepped outside and flagged down a taxi. I saw my reflection in the tinted rear window as it pulled to a stop.

I wore an ear to ear smile.

Well, I’m not upset that he told me he loved me, obviously.

“Where to, Ma’am?”

“City Hall, please.”

“Hey, you’re dressed nicely. Are you a lawyer?”

I chuckled at that notion.

“Hardly. My boyfriend bought me this suit.”

“Must be some boyfriend.”

I leaned back in the seat and sighed.

“Yeah. He told me he loved me. Just now.”

“Wow.”

He did a good job of feigning interest, my driver.

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