Page 58 of Daddy's Game

“Did you say it back?”

“What? No, I didn’t have the chance if I’d wanted to. He ended the call right after he said it.”

“But do you love him back?”

What is this, the taxi cab confessional?

“I don’t know. I like him a lot.”

“My mom always said don’t marry the person you love, because they’ll drive you crazy. Marry someone you just like a lot.”

I laughed.

“Your mom sounds like she gave out good advice.”

That seemed to end the conversation. He didn’t try to speak to me any longer, not for the entire drive to city hall.

If I do love him back, what does that mean? Does it mean that Brock and I have what it takes to go the distance? In some ways, we’re such different people. What was it that Mom used to say? You can’t have sparks without differences.

My face contorted into a scowl as we pulled up in front of city hall.

Then again, Brock is supposed to be my enemy. He wants my corner lot, right? How can I be sure that this whole ‘I love you’ thing isn’t just another way to manipulate me?

My heart wanted to trust Brock. My head, on the other hand, kept screaming that I was making a mistake. Fairytale romances only happened in fairy tales.

And fairy tales involved a dashing prince, not a ruthless billionaire who also happened to be my enemy.

If you think about it, Brock is a lot more like a supervillain than a dashing young prince.

I couldn’t help but laugh at my own private joke. I headed inside City Hall. I didn’t have to ask directions to the zoning board meeting. I’d been there dozens of times since the center opened. It seemed like I was always fighting for the right of the Mizrani Performing Arts Center to exist.

The lead Alderman started off the session by talking about the proposed changes to the city block my center sat upon. He acknowledged the need for civic growth while also respecting the existing businesses and domiciles in the area.

What a rat fink. His eyes have dollar signs in them. He’s already made up his mind how he’s going to vote.

Nate asked for a chance to speak. I sat up a little straighter, glad to see him fighting for my rights.

“I’m not as good a speaker as Alderman Baker here.”

He gestured toward the previous speaker.

“But I am old enough to remember what this city used to be before the soulless corporations moved in. Whatever happened to the little dance recital studios? The mom and pop bistros? The small convenience store run by a family of hard-working immigrants? We’re losing all of our character and tradition, all in the name of profit.”

“Respectfully, Alderman Gray,” Baker said. “What do you propose we do about our budgetary shortfalls if the vote goes toward preserving the zone as is? How will you generate sufficient revenue from non profits and hole in the wall businesses that just aren't going anywhere?”

My mouth fell open.

How dare he say the center isn’t going anywhere? One of our students from last year just got admitted to the UK national ballet.

Nate hung his head, seemingly without a defense. I felt let down by him, but at the same time I knew he did the best he could. Nate just wasn't slick like so many other public officials. He had a good heart, but that didn’t seem like it would be enough.

Baker turned the floor over to those who wanted to speak. I was surprised by the outpouring of people who came to speak against commercial zoning.

In the end, so many people wanted to speak out against the zoning change that the meeting adjourned without taking a vote. They promised to do so at next week’s session. I didn’t think our prospects of winning looked good. Most of the voting body were on board with re-zoning for commercial purposes.

I again considered asking Brock for help, but he’d just told me he loved me. I had yet to say those words back. Would he think I was trying to emotionally blackmail him into helping me?

I can’t kill the thing Brock and I have going over this zoning change bullshit. I need to figure out a way to solve it myself.

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