Love Me (Take a Chance 2)

She ground her teeth together. “Girls get Transformers. Girls get a lot of things boys don’t. Like how certain boys might want to watch their mouths if they ever want to see dessert again.”

He flushed and ducked his head. “Sorry, Mom.”

Brianna smiled and ruffled his hair. “It’s okay. Thomas will be here soon. He’s just taking care of a little paperwork.”

Paperwork that would finalize their business arrangement together. Brianna had been driving herself half crazy with worry. Afraid that once Thomas got her signature on the contract, their entire attempt at figuring out if they could be something would crumble at their feet. Afraid his boss would find out he’d been sleeping with their client and not only pull the contract but pursue some kind of legal action against Thomas.

Almost as afraid as she was that he would be sent back to California now that they’d finished their negotiations.

A truck engine revved outside. Cody’s head snapped up. “That’s him.”

He tumbled to his feet, grabbed the instructions, and ran for the door. Brianna followed more slowly. Cody ran across the yard to Thomas’s truck, holding up the toy and the instructions. Brianna couldn’t look away. She never thought she’d accept another man in her life, let alone with her kids. Yet here they were, Cody’s eyes bright and shining as he looked up at Thomas with utter trust.

He had to stay. She needed him to want to stay.

“Can you help me transform Optimus?” Cody said. “Mom can’t do it.”

“She can’t?” Thomas took the paper and studied it. “I bet she could. Your mom’s a smart businesswoman.”

“That’s true, but I can’t read Chinese,” she said.

“I’m pretty sure that’s Korean.”

“Well, then, I can’t read that, either.” She rose up on tiptoe and gave him a light kiss. “How did it go? Are we officially business partners?”

“Yes.” His arm slid around her waist, and he pulled her close. “We are.”

She wanted to ask him if he would be staying in Vegas or leaving, but the words wouldn’t form. What if he said no? What if he was leaving? Her chest squeezed tight, stealing away her ability to breathe. She didn’t want to face reality. Not yet. If nothing else, she could wait until after dinner to ask him.

He jostled her shoulder. “You in there? You’re being awfully quiet.”

“Yeah. I’m just thinking.”

His brow furrowed, and his eyes met hers. She saw the same uncertainty she felt echoed in his eyes. “About what?”

“Hello?” Cody tapped his arm. “Are you going to help me or what?”

“Oh. Yeah, of course.” Thomas ruffled the boy’s hair, but his eyes remained on her. “Come on.”

They headed up the walk. Thomas kept Brianna close, and she fell into step with him comfortably.

“Katelyn’s waiting for another tea party, too.”

“Little girls do love their tea. How’s Zach doing?”

“Still completely and utterly dedicated to hating you. I wish he was this committed to his homework.” She slipped her arm around his waist and squeezed. “He would have straight A’s.”

He tapped his fingers on his thigh as they walked. “I might have a little talk with him.”

Brianna tensed. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. Last time you tried to talk to him without me, you got a black eye.” She glanced up at him. The remnants of the bruises were still there, a sickly yellow-green. “Actually, it’s still kind of there.”

He pressed his fingers to his cheekbone, wincing slightly. “Kid’s good at soccer. It doesn’t hurt anymore.”

“I think I sh

ould keep working on him. Not you.”

He tugged her to a stop. “Cody, go inside. I want to talk to your mom.”