Page 52 of Daddy's Game

“What’s that look for?”

“You're a lot less broody than normal. Have you not fired anyone in a while?”

“I just fired a dozen people at once.”

She sighed as the elevator shot up to the top floor.

“Of course you did. Well, you’re looking a lot less grumpy than usual, and I think I know why.”

“Oh? And why is that?”

In reply, she reached inside of her purse and withdrew a folded up section of the local newspaper. She unfolded it and handed it over to me. It turned out to be the society page.

And at the top of the section? A photo of myself and Grace coming out of a prominent Manhattan night club, arm in arm and dressed to thrill.

“She’s very pretty, Brock. But I couldn't find any dirt on her. Are you sure she isn’t a spy?”

I had to laugh at that.

“She’s not a spy, Samantha.”

“Are you sure? Because the Russian red sparrow program produces some of the finest seductresses–”

“She’s from Brooklyn, Samantha. And you don’t need to worry. Grace and I aren’t serious.”

“You look pretty serious in the society pages. And you’re definitely acting differently. Are you sure this doesn’t have legs?”

“I haven’t really given it much thought.”

She snorted.

“That’s a yes. Look, Brock. I know I didn’t give birth to you, but I’ve always considered you one of my sons anyway. Your father was my favorite husband, the only one I didn’t divorce. So I know when you’re on the verge of screwing something up.”

I cocked my head to the side. The elevator reached the top, and the doors opened, but neither of us moved.

“How do you know?”

“Intuition. Listen, you can’t keep your walls up forever, Brock. Even if you wind up getting hurt or losing her, you need to let this Grace woman into your heart. Utterly, completely.”

“She’s half my age, Samantha. And I might be buying her building out from underneath her.”

She arched her brows.

“Is that so? It doesn’t matter. Either let her into your heart, or it will shrivel and die. Now come on.”

She walked out of the elevator.

“You’re taking me to dinner at one of those Michelin rated restaurants you own in the city. I’m starving.”

I shook my head and grinned ruefully as I fell into step behind her. My stepmother was a force of nature.

But she’d given me a lot to think about. I hadn’t realized it before, but I was feeling a lot better since Grace and I had been seeing each other.

Maybe Samantha is right. Maybe it’s time.

19

GRACE

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