Bait

I shrug. “Your guess is as good as mine.”

She rolls her eyes. “Maybe you guys should try a little communication alongside your more physical activities. Guy has a phone, right?”

My skin prickles. “Yes. He does.”

“So call him. Ask him. Demand him to get his bloody dancing shoes on and come out for a good time.”

If only. I stumble over a lacklustre excuse. “We, um… prefer things to be spontaneous…”

I’m relieved when her phone extension summons her back to her own desk. “Call him!” are her parting words.

I think I’ll give that advice a miss. I’ll just be glad if he shows up at all. Diva’s or no.

There are some distinct downsides to his random appearances. Not least that I’ve been wearing some pretty awesome outfits for his benefit, only to have him show up when I’m in my plain Jane nightwear with my hair piled on my head.

I’d invite him along to our summer barbeque if I could face it. The gaudy affair is billed to be the event of the century. Dress to impress and all that jazz.

It only feels like yesterday I was dreading the whole sorry affair and everything that went along with it. Now I’m pretty much as hyped about it as everyone else in this place.

Lauren is wearing her old prom dress with a fascinator she bought for a wedding and never went to. Kelly is wearing a ballgown she bought for her ex’s Christmas ball last winter. Kathleen from the management team has gone all out designer couture by all accounts. Won’t even show anyone a sneak preview.

I’m wearing something new.

Figures, since I don’t really have anything old.

The dress I’ve picked out is sexy in that demure kind of way. Ankle-length plum satin with a diamante trim, fitted like a dream, and delicate enough that I feel like I’m wearing a negligee.

It’s a fucking travesty that Leo won’t see me in it.

Not unless I wear it to bed every evening on the off chance he’s going to break in.

I smile to myself. Maybe I should start jogging in it at midnight along the river path. Could be my cool new hobby.

I check my phone is still on in my drawer, wondering if he really is keeping close tabs on me.

Maybe I could use it to hunt him one of these days. Use it as a decoy to coax him into a dark alley somewhere. The idea gives me a strange chill.

The bait using a decoy to snare the hunter. I do love a good twist.

I could jump him. Use the element of surprise to get the bastard half naked for once.

My smile widens.

Yes. I’d like that.

I’d like that a lot.

I picture the bulk of him. The weight of him against my chest. The way he feels inside me with his forehead pressed to mine.

And then I giggle because life is good.

Life is really good.

Even if I don’t stand a hope in hell of jumping the monster in a million years, it matters not.

I’m perfectly fine with him jumping me.PhoenixMy lawyer says a paternity battle will be both lengthy and expensive. She gives me her most professional stare over the top of her fine-rimmed glasses and assures me I should call Jake’s bluff and count on him running out of both energy and cash. But she doesn’t know Jake like I know him.

She hasn’t seen the desperation in his eyes.

I’d have trusted Jake with anything on this planet before Mariana came along. Back when it was just the three of us – Jake, Serena, and me – I’d have sworn on everything I had that we’d be tight for all time.

We’re blood, after all.

I’m amazed it’s come to seeking legal advice about a non-molestation order to keep him away from the house and Cameron. But it has.

I feel grim as she lays out my options and what evidence I’d need to gather to support my case.

It needs more than my testimony. It needs dates, times, witnesses. It needs police involvement.

I feel weighed down by the process before it’s even started.

“Off the record,” she says. “Wouldn’t it be better to throw the dog a bone for the time being? Is there any way you can negotiate some access rights? You said he’s demanding you sell the old business premises, is that not something you could entertain for the sake of compromise? It might at least buy you some favour and some time to gather the evidence you need, no?”

I lean back in the chair opposite her, realising all over again how different she is from us – Jake and me. She’s got a wall full of qualifications and professionally highlighted hair. She flinches whenever I reach over for a handshake, even though she doesn’t know she’s doing it.

In short, the woman has no idea what I’m dealing with here.