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Dominic gestured to the room. “There’s nobody here. Hell, this is the first time you even let me stop by and frankly I had to bulldoze my way in.”
He had me there, but that wasn’t the whole picture. “I see people when I’m in the city.”
A frown etched my friend’s face. “And how often is that? You’re coming into the city every Friday now with Faith but before that you averaged a couple of times a month. Usually you’re just holed up here.”
“I see people when I’m here.”
Dominic tilted his head. “Like who?” I opened my mouth but before I could say anything he jumped in. “And don’t just say your mother.”
I was about to say her but wouldn’t give him the satisfaction. “I see people at the grocery store, the coffee shop, and the animal shelter.” Okay, the list was a little sad when I said it out loud.
“You mean the shelter where the kid tried to take a picture of Faith?”
“For fuck’s sake, I have it under control. I’ve also called the shelter manager and talked to them about the kid. They know to keep quiet and there will be no further incidents.”
“And I assume you won’t be bringing my sister back to the shelter?”
“That’s up to Faith.” As much as I wanted to keep her away, I wouldn’t dictate what she could and couldn’t do. That sure as fuck wouldn’t fly with her and if I pushed it, it wouldn’t end well for me.
A laugh clawed its way out of my friend’s throat. “Seems like you know her well after all.”
Dominic reached into the donut box and pulled out a pink one with sprinkles. “I still want to punch you.”
“Seems logical.” If I had a sister, I’d want to protect her too, especially from the likes of me.
“Now tell me about your plan to woo Harrison Barnes.”
THIRTY-FIVE
FAITH
"We leave in two hours."
I'd been taking a break from my latest painting to play with Willow when Sebastian interrupted my thoughts. Thoughts dissecting what he'd meant when he spouted that nonsense about not deserving me.
Willow dropped the ball from her mouth and bounded toward Sebastian. He pet her absently as he spoke. "I just got off the phone with Harrison. He's changed his mind about the location of our meeting."
"Again?" I asked, closing the distance between us. Willow, seeing the ball in my hand, ran back to me with her tongue out. She barked, tail wagging, trying to get me to play. I tossed the ball again, throwing it out into the large field.
Sebastian clutched the back of his neck as the corners of his mouth turned downward. "It's part of his game. Your brother assured me as much."
"He likes to screw with people?"
"It's all a test to him. A game. Especially when he goes into business with someone new."
"He says jump. You ask how high?" I've met plenty of people like that in my lifetime. Luckily, my family never adhered to that sort of mind game.
The muscle in his neck throbbed. "Basically. It's bullshit that my client testimonials and word-of-mouth referrals aren't enough for him."
"He needs you to wow him."
He shook his head. "We need to wow him. You and me."
Did he realize how much that little bit of partnership meant to me? How I wanted it to be even more?
Sebastian tilted his head toward the house. "I'll fill you in more along the way."
* * *
