Too Complicated (The Lewis Cousins 2)

“I am going back to school. I’ve already signed up for classes

and they start next week. I was initially going to just focus on school, but with Chris being a teenager now and being involved in school and splitting his time between me and Gabe, I think I do want to get a job sooner rather than later.”

“You know, Jazzy said something to me the other day about her friend Laurel looking to hire a business manager … I’m not really sure what it’s about. Laurel was Jazzy’s best friend growing up, but left after high school. I guess she just moved back. I’m not sure what her business is, but it could be something. You should talk to Jaz about it.”

“Thanks, I will.”

“Oh, and I live in Copper Woods, which is a gated community that sounds a lot like what you’re looking for, if you want to check it out. My place is three bedrooms, with an office, and the neighborhood is quiet.”

“Really? That sounds perfect, like just what I’m looking for. Are you sure it wouldn’t be an imposition?”

“No, of course not,” I said, taking in her wide eyes and tanned skin and thinking how much I wanted her in my house. In my life. Shit, I sound like a creeper again. “You could come by one night after work this week; we could do dinner, if you want.”

Chloe blinked at that, then seemed to remember something and relax.

“Sure, if you aren’t too busy.”

“Not at all,” I assured her, then thought about what Shauna had said about playing hard to get, but no, that wasn’t my style at all.

“Then, I’d love to,” Chloe said with a smile. “Should we exchange numbers or something, so we can set it up?”

“I already have yours,” I said, then watched her face close up again as she remembered the reason why I had her number. I thought about how formal, sometimes bordering on rude, I’d been with her when we’d been dealing with Chris’s paternity tests, then the paperwork for joint custody and the back pay that Gabe had insisted I put into Chloe’s accounts. It was no wonder she was frowning at me now.

“That’s right,” she said in a small voice, and I wanted nothing more than to take back my words and act like I’d never said anything to bring up our past.

“I can give you mine, if you don’t still have it,” I said gently.

“Sure.”

Chloe pulled out her phone and I rattled off the number. When she started to pull her wallet out of her purse I said, “No, please, let me get it.”

She nodded, then stood, saying, “Well, I’d better get home. Thanks for the cake, and for the movie.”

“I’ll let you know about dinner,” I said, my tone too eager, when she simply tilted her head, then walked off.

“Shit,” I muttered. I’d really fucked that up quickly.

I turned to see her walking down the sidewalk through the window, hoping she’d still come by the house. I needed to talk to her, tell her that I’d been an ass and why, and explain that I hoped we could leave the past in the past and at least be friends.

I finished my coffee, thinking back on the last few hours and how natural it had felt to be with Chloe.

She was beautiful, smart, a great mom and sister, and she liked Star Wars. The more I learned about Chloe, the more I liked.

I’m in trouble…

Chapter Six ~ Chloe

“Holy buckets of poo,” my sister said from beside me.

I was so used to her weird expressions and often zany personality that I rarely reacted to the words that came out of her mouth anymore. I did notice, however, that the woman behind the counter was looking at Zoey with a strange expression.

Stifling a giggle, I asked, “What?”

“I just thought of the perfect scene for Zombie Girl; I need to go,” she said, turning to bolt out the door before I stopped her.

“Oh, no you don’t, Zo. I know you feel the need to write when inspiration hits, but we are closing in on your wedding, and we need to pick out the cake.” I smiled at the lady who was still watching us as she set the cake samples out on the counter for Zoey and me to taste.

“Can’t you just do it?” my little sister pleaded, her eyes widening as she pouted, using the face she always did when she wanted me to do her bidding.