Page 53 of The Cost of Love

“That’s because we’re practically family. My house is your house. You can serve yourself.”

“And that same logic doesn’t apply here?”

“No.” The laugh that follows his response reminds me of all of our good days. It makes this place feel like a home. Full of all the joy and ease I want it to have. The escape from our lives. Or it was.

“I saw Lorenzo the other night at a party. He was trying to recruit me to apply for your position when it opens, the smug bastard.” Carter shakes his head.

“He does know you work for your father and are also my best friend?”

“I think that’s the point.”

“Well, I just spent the last few weeks securing a new company in Canada. Adding them to our umbrella will allow a more global reach.”

“Is someone actually doing their job?” He smirks into his cup.

With a wave of my hand, I end the conversation. This is the last thing I need to think about right now, and it’s not the reason I invited him.

“I have something to tell you,” I say.

His eyebrow furrows, the only sign that he is concerned about what is going to come out of my mouth. He doesn’t stop sipping as he waits for me to continue.

“Chanice has kids.”

Liquid flies from his mouth as he chokes on his drink. I fall back laughing at the wide-eyed look he gives me.

“Excuse me?”

“They’re her siblings, but she has custody of them.”

Recovered, he gulps the rest of it down, clearly needing the alcohol. I sip from my own Islay Scotch, trying to ease the sudden anxiety. His opinion matters to me, and I want it to align with my own.

“How is that possible? You said she is twenty-three.” He sits forward and rests his elbows on his knees. Rubbing his chin, he looks to me for the answer.

“It just is.”

“So, what are you going to do?”

I’m surprised that he is even asking the question, assuming he would have already decided what is best. The fact that he is gives me hope that he will understand.

“It changes nothing. I still want her, and she still wants to keep things casual. Only now I understand why.” Gliding my hand through my hair, I push it out of my eyes. It only helps me see the confusion on his face more clearly.

“I don’t get it. Why are you pursuing this when it isn’t even going anywhere? Surely the sex can’t be that good.”

It is, but that is besides the point.

“I like her, and it’s been a long time since I have liked someone in this way. Every new thing I learn about her only further endears me to her. She is sexy, funny, and obviously a good person. She has so many layers, and I’m only starting to peel them back.” She has a light inside of her that shines so brightly it makes her a beacon. If I focus on her, maybe I can find a safe place to dock.

“Alex, you have to understand what you are getting yourself into. Do you know how much of a mental breakdown your mother will have if you marry this woman? Are you prepared to put all of you through the turmoil of merging their lives with our world?”

My instant reaction is that I do understand what I would be agreeing to, and that I think we can survive the transition. However, that sounds naïve even to my ears.

“This is about more than what you want. It’s about what everyone needs in this situation.” He sits back and rubs his hands down his face. The frustration is obvious enough that I have no choice but to acknowledge it.

“I get what you are saying. It’s a big deal to take on a whole family. It won’t just be about us or me. I know the consideration will require a selflessness that you don’t believe I possess. However, I can accommodate my life to include all of theirs if it comes to that.”

As for my mother, only time will tell how that will play out. She is already on my back because I have only done two dates with Elizabeth. The second one barely lasted two hours, as I faked a work call to leave early. It’s October, and we have been seeing each other since August. It’s only a matter of time before I will have to face the music that is my mother’s gnawing lecture about respectable women.

After a moment of silence, Carter stands up and walks over to the bar, finally ready to get himself a drink. Pouring beyond the normal line for sipping, he fills his cup.