Page 60 of Daddy's Game

“You’ve been to my west side condo.”

“Pretty sure I haven’t.”

I thought it over and realized she might not have.

“How many condos do you have, anyway?”

“Just in Manhattan, or are you talking about the entire city? Or maybe how many condos do I have globally?”

“Globally? Look, I’ll see you outside. I’m on my way out.”

The call ended. I looked at my phone with a furrowed brow. Still no mention of my dropping the L word.

My driver hustled to hold the door open for me. I looked up the short flight of concrete steps and saw Grace coming out of the performing arts center. My heart caught in my throat, because she presented a particular brand of loveliness. Her hair pulled back into a ponytail revealed every contour of her sweet face. A black dance leotard hugged her body, shapely legs on full display.

Grace had a lightweight jacket tied around her waist, and a smile on her lips. One look into her azure eyed gaze and I knew the L word dwelt heavily in her thoughts as much as my own.

Apparently I wasn’t the only one that had noticed her legs. I caught my driver staring hard as she descended the last step and stood beside us on the sidewalk.

“Hello, my darling.”

I took her in my arms. Our lips met in a kiss. It started off slow, but soon deepened. When she wrapped her arms around my neck, I felt how much it meant to Grace that I’d confessed to being in love with her.

We broke away. I stared into her eyes and sighed, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear.

“I missed you.”

“I missed you, too.”

We climbed into the back of the limo. I slid my arm over her shoulders and pulled her in close. Grace lifted her chin, eyes expectant. I kissed her again, thrilled at the way my blood pounded through my veins.

Our steamy make out made the trip to the west side short and sweet. I held her hand as we went inside the building.

Dinner turned out to be Mediterranean. We started off with a big platter of olives, thin crackers, various cheeses, and a chickpea slurry with just the right amount of spice.

“So how was London?”

“Overcast and cold. How did your meeting at the zoning board go?”

Her expression soured.

“I’d rather not talk about that right now. I just want to focus on being with you.”

I reached out and put my hand on top of her own. I could sense there was more she wanted to talk about. It all remained locked behind her sky blue eyes, however.

“Grace, is there something bothering you?”

She pursed her lips and dropped her gaze to the platter.

“Um, what makes you think that?”

“I know you well enough to tell when something’s got you upset.”

She sighed and raised her gaze to meet my own.

“It’s not just one thing. It’s…it’s everything.”

A tear slipped out of her eye and ran down her cheek, glistening in the moonlight.

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