by Nia Arthurs
“Compared to cocky bastard, it’s the lesser of two evils.”
“I can’t believe you’re the same guy who helped me out yesterday,” she hisses, her eyes ablaze. “Were you always a jerk or is that new?”
See?
There.
She did it again.
Her words are like hurricanes.
I should be getting pissed off.
I should fire right back.
Instead, I just want to dive deep into her mind and figure out where we can find common ground.
And that’s a problem.
The one thing I don’t need is a distraction.
Especially when the woman I’m fighting against is the distraction.
“You want to discuss this here?” I arch an eyebrow in Kastle and Kaelyn’s direction.
“What I want to know is who taught you how to bribe because you’re kind of terrible at it.”
I have to restrain the laughter that brews inside of me. A spitfire like her has no right to make me feel so warm inside.
“Fine. I’ll concede. Not my proudest moment.”
She tosses her head.
“But,” I add, “the offer still stands.”
Brenna rolls her eyes.
“Guys.” Kaelyn raps her knuckles on the table.
The menus we were hiding behind fall like a stack of cards.
“You know what you want to eat yet?” Kaelyn asks, pointing up.
The waitress from earlier is standing beside our table. Her eyes stick to Kastle like dried cement. An awestruck smile on her lips, she gushes, “What’ll you have, Kastle?”
“I’ll have—”
“Wait. Before you start, I just want to say that I love you.” She bites on her bottom lip nervously. “I mean, like, I’m a fan. Huge fan.”
“Oh.” Kastle’s smile is polite. It’s his camera face. The mask he dons so no one can see how trapped he feels inside.
“Yeah,” the waitress gabs on, “whenever people say Asians aren’t sexy, I always pull up a picture of you.”
The waitress beams, completely missing the scowl on Kaelyn’s face and the offended look on Kastle’s. People are like that. They only see what they want. The surface. The bare minimum.
I grit my teeth. “Ma’am—”
“Don’t you see his girlfriend right there?” Brenna explodes, speaking up before I can. “How can you be so rude?”
“Oh. I…” She glances between Kaelyn and Kastle. “Are you two together?”
I breathe out deeply through my nose. Glory and I have experienced that before. I’ll be holding her hand at a grocery store and people will stare. A few will be brave enough to ask. And they won’t believe me when I tell them I’m her father.
I tap my fingers on the table. Pin my brother with a look. Do you guys want to go somewhere else?
His eyes turn strained.
“It’s fine.” Kaelyn shakes her head. “Can we just order?”
Flouncing her shoulders, the now-cold waitress scribbles our orders down. The disappointment in her eyes is palpable.
The moment she’s gone, Kaelyn leans forward. “Bren, did you have to go off? I love the burgers here. What if she drops my patty on the ground?”
“I just hate when people act ignorant.” Brenna slants me a dark look. “It turns me off.”
I wonder what turns you on.
Something in my eyes must have betrayed my thoughts because Brenna quickly glances away.
Spreading my hand along the back of her chair, I place my leg up on my knee. Now that all Brenna’s fire isn’t aimed at me, I can appreciate her without the resistance a conversation seems to bring.
I study her profile in the light blasting from the windows. Her smooth skin invites my fingers to trace the curve of her jaw and slip over her cheek.
Her long, brown hair begs me to wrap my hands around the back of her neck and pull her in.
Her lips…
Those lips say the rudest, most damaging things.
And I want to do the filthiest things to them.
My body stirs to life, engines revving on all cylinders.
Rein it in, Heath.
I have to think about Glory.
The plan is to buy Brenna out and convince her to leave the farmhouse alone. That can’t happen if I get distracted with thoughts of her laid out on my bed, gasping my name.
Even if she did manage to put aside her hatred for me, all I could give her is a fling. I don’t have the time or the mental space right now to juggle a relationship.
Kastle clears his throat. “By the way, Heath, I was thinking of stopping by tonight. I have some more books for Glory.”
Brenna’s angry scowl fades. “Glory? Is that your daughter’s name?”
I nod.
The fire in her eyes turns to a warm ember.
She loves kids.
And that love is powerful enough to make her tolerate me.
I’m not above using that.
Which is a huge sign that I’m feeling way more for this woman than I realize.
I’m always careful about the people who know and meet Glory. My little girl grew up ‘normal’. She didn’t have the Jameson muscle thrown behind her. She doesn’t live in a mansion or spend eight to ten hours of her day filming.
Glory is completely removed from my parents’ reality show empire, and I’d like it to stay that way. I don’t need reporters nosing into my business and trying to upset my baby girl when she’s recovering.
Brenna leans forward. “How old is she?”
“Seven.” I nod. “Her birthday’s in a couple days.”
“And then she’ll be eight going on thirty-five,” Kastle says, a broad smile on his face. “I have never met a more well-spoken kid. I swear, she does nothing but read.”
“She takes after me,” I say, sipping on my coffee.
Hell yeah, I’m a proud father.
My kid’s incredible.
Way more incredible than me.
“You read?” Brenna asks like I’m some caveman who just grunted out of the Ice Age.
I smirk at her. “Another insult.”
“It just caught me by surprise.” She lifts her chin. “Favorite book?”
I turn fully to her and my leg brushes hers softly. “Trick question. Every book has something to offer. I can’t choose one.”
“Humor me.” She doesn’t move her leg.
I smile. “The Hobbit.”
“Tolkien.”
“I like world building. The way he puts his own unique universe together from nothing reminds me of how I build a house.”
“From the ground up.” She tilts her head. There’s a teasing lilt to her words and a small smile on her lips. “Such a guy thing.”
My lips quirk up in response. “Let me guess, you like romance?”
“Only if it ends in tragedy.”
“What a shame.”
Brenna laughs softly.
It’s my first time hearing her do that since we found out the truth about each other.
Genuinely.
Not with bitterness or annoyance or offended disbelief.
And I like it.
Like her smile.
Her laughter.
I like it way more than I freaking should.
Ten
Brenna
After lunch, I return to the library—partly because I want to avoid Kaelyn and her what’s up with you and Heath looks and also because I have to work.
Learning who Heath really is hasn’t changed my goals.
The farmhouse is staying up.
Heath will lose.
I’m not giving up on this, even if he makes butterflies erupt in my stomach when he talks about his daughter and flashes that sweet, soft smile.
I’m a sucker for kids.
And a single dad who adores his daughter?
My body tightens with heat.
Calm down, Brenna.
The scent of old books fills my nostrils. I inhale it dee
ply, arching my back as I lift my arms in a long stretch. Heath is even more off limits now than he was when I thought he was just a hot construction worker. Under no circumstances can I mix business and pleasure.
We’re on opposing sides.
And I wouldn’t put it past him to try and wiggle into my heart just to get his way. We both believe in what we’re doing enough to push all the boundaries for it.
My phone buzzes with a text from Kaelyn.
KAE: I know you’re avoiding me.
ME: I’m working.
KAE: Work at the office.
ME: Too distracting.
KAE: Because you know I’ll ask you about Heath.
ME: There’s nothing to say about it.
KAE: You two were totally flirting at the diner.
ME: Untrue.
KAE: You were sitting so close to him.
ME: It was a small booth!
KAE: Your legs were brushing all through lunch.
Horror floods my cheeks. She saw that? It was just a slight brush of the foot every now and again. A slight adjustment between glaring and exchanging subtle jabs.
It was just…
Stupid.
And way too intimate a position to be in with a man I should be avoiding.
Burying my face in my hands, I let out a deep breath.
This is all too complicated.
Heath is still in my head and Kaelyn isn’t helping.
Hoping to clear my thoughts, I grab my phone and take a jog around the empty desks between me and the door. The reference section is in the basement of the library, a dim, windowless room. It’s great for concentration, but I’m starting to feel like I’m in prison.
Sunshine brightens the air as I get to the ground floor. I lope around the room to stretch my legs and replenish my energy. A few kids browse the shelves in the children’s section. I recognize a tiny figure with braided hair, brown skin and a dimpled smile.
“Marinette?” I whisper.
She glances up. Big brown eyes lock on my face. “Miss B!”
“Hi,” I whisper, putting a finger to my lips and reminding her to be quiet.
“Oh.” She mimics my move.
The older woman from yesterday strolls into view, carrying a heavy purse on her arm. She notices me and gives a welcoming smile that I return in full.
Marinette heads my way. Her movements are slow and controlled. When she walks, there’s a slight limp. Her wide smile pushes her cheeks up, but it can’t chase the exhaustion lingering behind her dark brown eyes. I spot a tiny piece of gauze on her arm. Is she really sick?
“Miss B!” Marinette manages to shout my name despite whispering.
“She was hoping to see you here,” the elderly woman explains, holding Marinette’s hand tightly. “She begged me to stop by before going home.”
“I wanted to find books about the empress you told us about.” Her eyes glimmer.
I kneel so I’m at her level. “That’s fantastic. I’m not sure there are any books about her in the children’s section though.”
“I can read big books too, you know,” she says proudly.
I laugh at her antics, my heart melting. “Alright. Let’s go hunting.”
She squeals and takes my hand.
The moment her little fingers curve around mine, my heart lurches. I love kids, but there’s something about this little girl that is really special. Maybe it’s her eyes that are so bright despite how frail her body is. Maybe it’s the shared appreciation for books that transcends language and age. Maybe it doesn’t have a reason.
I smile and squeeze her hand.
Marinette chats a mile a minute while we find the books and take them to the check out counter. “Did you know my birthday’s coming up? I’m having a party.”
“Oh? That’s fantastic.” I rub her shoulder. “Let me guess. It’ll be ladybug-themed?”
“Yes. And Ms. Mercy is going to cook.”
I grin. “Why do I get the feeling the food’s going to be amazing?”
Mercy chuckles warmly. “Oh, no. I’ll just throw a few things together.”
“My dad’s going to get a ladybug cake!” Marinette laughs gleefully. “It’ll be this big.” She throws her arms wide.
“That’s huge.”
“Steph is going to come and all my other friends from the hospital I went to.”
Sadness steals into my smile. I picture this vibrant child in a hospital bed, surrounded by tubes and only making friends inside those walls and it moves me to tears. “You must be excited.”
“Would you… maybe want to come too?” She stares shyly at her shoes.
“I would love to.”
“Really?”
I hold up my elbow to flash my band-aid. “We ladybugs have to stick together.”
She surges forward and gives me a hug.
I lift my hands in shock for a minute before gently letting my fingers rest on the little girl’s shoulders. My heart is about to burst with emotions. What is Marinette doing to me?
“Alright, Glo—Marinette,” Mercy tilts her head fondly, “Miss B has been kind enough to spend her afternoon helping you, but I’m sure she’s busy. We should let her go now.”
“Actually, I was just thinking I could use a break.”
“Can we get ice cream, Ms. Mercy? Please. Please? You said I could if I took all my tests without crying.”
My heart pinches.
Mercy sighs. “You’ll have to check with your dad first.”
“He won’t mind,” Marinette says confidently.
Mercy chuckles. Her phone buzzes and she takes a look at it while saying, “Well, you’ll get to ask him in person because he’s right outside.”
“Come with me, Miss B!” Marinette drags me through the exits.
I grin at her enthusiasm. “You know, you can just call me Bren…na.”
My voice chokes with shock when I spot a man in construction boots, thick pants, and a T-shirt. Sunlight picks up the gold in his long hair. His green eyes brim like the ocean. All cerulean and turquoise. Aqua ripples. Sunlight skipping over white-crested waves.
Heath.
“Daddy!” Marinette shrieks, flinging herself into his arms.
My jaw drops.
Horror fills my chest.
Daddy?
Eleven
Heath
A tiny brown and white blur comes racing toward me. I drop to one knee and prepare myself for collision.
“Daddy!” Glory hurtles herself like an Olympic long jumper and springs on me.
“Hello, sweetheart.” I press a kiss to her temple. “Sorry I’m late. I had a…” My gaze slams into a familiar pair of deep brown eyes. “A meeting.”
Brenna stares at me from the sidewalk with a stunned expression on her face.
Golden sunshine casts her light brown skin with a warm glow. Long, curly hair flutters in the breeze. Without her baggy jacket on, I get an eyeful of her curves in those tight-fitting jeans.
What is she doing here?
Brenna lifts a slender hand. “Hi.”
My heartbeat kicks up a notch.
I rise, my arms still banded around Glory. “Hi.”
“Daddy, Miss B wants ice cream.”
I tear my eyes away from Brenna and focus on Glory. “Oh, does she?” I touch her little button nose. “Why do I get the feeling that Miss B isn’t the only one who wants ice cream?”
“Okay. It was my idea.” Glory’s tiny lips inch up into a mischievous smile. “But I was very good at the hospital today. I didn’t cry once. I deserve it.”
“She’s right. The little one took all her tests without squirming too much.” Mercy bobs her head.
She’s a tall, thin Caribbean woman with a penchant for colorful skirts and headscarves. Most of her family still lives in Belize and she sends them almost all of her paycheck every month.
Mercy used to live with two shady roommates who almost got her arrested. She was so good with Glory that I told her to move in imm
ediately. The peace she brings to my mind because I know that my daughter is in capable and safe hands is, honestly, worth more than I can pay her.
As proud as she is, Mercy refused my deal of living with us rent-free. She cleans around the house and makes every meal in exchange for staying there. It’s an arrangement that works really well for us.
“I have to go make that deposit.” Mercy pats Glory’s back. “Be good for your dad, okay?”
“Bye-bye.” Glory gives her a kiss on the cheek.
Mercy smiles.
As she walks away, I return my gaze to Brenna, hardly believing that she’s standing in front of me. She clasps her hands together and squirms like a kid caught cheating on a test.
Her hair slides over slim shoulders. Thick curls shade half her face from view. I find myself fighting the desire to push her thick hair behind her ear so I can see her properly.
Heath, she’s the enemy.
Yes.
I’m aware.
But my heart can’t quite seem to get the memo.
“I, uh…” Her fingers break apart. Grapple with the air. Return to her side. “I met her at one of the library’s story times. I didn’t know—”
“Miss B, I already told my dad all about you. Come on. We need to get ice cream,” Glory insists.
“No, I—” She hooks a thumb over her shoulder, “I should get back to my research.”
Glory’s bottom lip trembles. “But you said you would come.”
“I…” Brenna chews on her bottom lip. Conflicted brown eyes flash to me and then back to Glory.
She looks like someone just asked her to dance off a cliff.
My lips twitch. “You’re here looking into the farmhouse?”
Her sharp nod is followed by a guarded look aimed at me.
“Hm.”
“Hm?” She straightens her shoulders defensively.
“I’m not so sure I should reward that. Since you’re working against me and all.” I tap my chin. “Unless I can bribe you to drop the case with ice cream instead of money?”
Her eyes glitter like two dark beads. “So we’re joking about that now?”
“It was worth a shot.” I chuckle.
She shakes her head, but there’s a glimmer of a smile on her lips. “I really do have to work, but… I did promise Glory.” She meets my daughter’s gaze and speaks to her. “And I always keep my promises.”