Robin excitedly grabbed my hand and led me back to the living room. I watched him as he pushed his stool in place before sitting down. When Robin began playing, I was blown away. He was phenomenal! Robin wasn't just capable of playing; he was born for it. I couldn't believe that his little fingers were moving that fast or how he even remembered which key to press and when. Robin was simply a genius. When he finished, I gave him a high five and couldn't stop beaming with pride."That was amazing!" I exclaimed, but he looked at me like it was no big deal.We spent the next fifteen minutes talking about his friends and school until Jade joined us. I gave Robin his gift, and he insisted we start working on a puzzle immediately. We had a lot of fun working on that until his eyelids started getting heavy. It didn't take him long to fall asleep where he sat, his arms and head on the table."It was reallyhard getting him to sleep last night; he was so excited about meeting you," Jade whispere
JadeIt felt like I hadn't taken a break for the past few days, and I sighed in relief as I tilted my neck and massaged it. My whole body was on fire, but it was all worth it knowing that the extra income would cover a lot. Not only did I need to help my sister, but I had just received an email from Robin's school with another list of things he needed, which meant I needed more money to get them for him. I contemplated asking Michael for some help, but I couldn't muster the courage to go through with it. We needed to have the financial talk at some point, but it felt too soon for me. Michael and I hadn't found that even ground yet."Am I working you too hard?"Jordan's voice startled me out of my thoughts, and I turned around to look at him. He wore his usual uniform: black jeans, a white shirt, and a black apron. It was a simple look on anyone, but he somehow looked like a million dollars in it."Sorry, just having one of those days. But I'm done here for today, getting ready to head
I needed more access to Robin, having already missed so much in his life. I wanted to tuck him in and tell him bedtime stories. But most importantly, I didn't want my son living in this place. My grandfather had already expressed concern over Robin being raised in a manner befitting a Fletcher, and I agreed with him.Jade stilled. "We had an agreement, Michael," she said haltingly."I'm changing it. Can't you see? Robin needs the best tutors and access to everything I can offer him."She glared at me,and firecracker Jade was back. She had been so sweet and gentle with Robin that I had almost forgotten that she had this other side. Her passion was contagious, and I had to admit that I wanted her to use it more productively, like ripping off my clothes and making passionate love to her.I might have been wrong about her, I thought.But despite howbeautiful and spirited I found her, she was still so irritatingly stubborn, and it got on my last nerve."Wouldyou rather take extra work for t
MichaelSomething about seeing Jade standing there in her pajama bottoms and looking so upset compelled me to let her in. I was still angry because of everything that had happened, but I calmed myself enough to listen. She had made an effort to come to me so late, and the least I could do was listen."Where's Robin?" I asked as we sat."Home with Tammie," she replied, wrapping her arms around herself.I grabbed the remote and turned up the temperature."What my father did was inexcusable," she began. "And I'm sorry you were all caught up in that."I didn't understand why anyone would call someone they didn't even know to ask for money; it didn't make sense to me. There was no way he would have my phone number unless Jade had given it to him. It still didn't add up, so I had to ask."How does he even have my phone number?"Jade sighed. "He stole your contact from my sister. My father has been troubled since my mother died. At first, we thought he was having trouble processing everythin
Jade shook her head and started eating her cereal. "This is the most normal people thing I've seen you do.""Maybe you need to get to know me a little more."This felt dangerously close to the twenty questions we had attempted to play the first night we met. But it was the middle of the night, and there was no better time to make bad decisions."Were you home-schooled?"She asked with a grin. "Had different tutors flown in every day?"I laughed and shook my head. "Nope. Went to a boys preparatory school."Jade burst into laughter and pointed at me with her spoon. "You are so hopeless! And what did they 'prepare'you to be, huh? A jerk?""I'll have you know it's one of the best schools in the world. I bet Robin would love it there too."She rolled her eyes and stuck her tongue out. "You might be right. Then he can be perfectly posh too, just like his daddy.""Your son plays violin;it doesn't get any posher than that," I pointed out.She laughed before asking."What were you doing when you
Jade"I need new clothes," I said with a sigh, looking at the small pile of clothes I had taken from my wardrobe."I've been telling you that for years!" Tammie exclaimed, making me laugh.We had been video chatting, and I had asked her for help picking out a cute outfit. Something that told Michael that I was open to him making another move but didn't want to seem too eager."How about this one?" I asked, holding a top against my chest."Nah, too bland."She said that about every outfit until we got to a cute floral dress that might or might not have belonged to her. She had left it on one of her visits, and I was now claiming it as mine. Once I got the stamp of approval, I hung up and got ready. Michael was coming to pick Robin up for the day, and I wanted to look my best when he came. We hadn't managed to talk much since the amazing night we had spent together, but I was hopeful that this could be the start of something new.Robin was ready and waiting impatiently in the living roo
MichaelI tightened my grip on the steering wheel and watched as Jade's boss once again walked her out. Correction, Jade'sex-boyfriend. From where I was sitting, this guy behaved a lot like an ex who wanted to be back in Jade's life, and I was starting to suspect that this whole job thing was just a ruse to win Jade back. What kind of boss walked his employee out in broad daylight?Why did I even care? Jade and I were not in a relationship. We were great together in bed, but that was just attraction, nothing more. Or was it? The little nagging voice in the back of my mind told me this was what jealousy felt like.I looked at the apron guy again as he placed a hand on Jade's arm before he left and wondered what was there to be jealous about. Jade had told me they had dated for a little while, but it hadn't worked out, and I believed her. I was starting to know Jade a little, and she hadn't given me any reason to think she might have any feelings for the cafe guy. But again, it didn't m
There was no mistaking what those were with the bank logo so visible in one of them. My jaw nearly dropped."Did you write her a check?" I asked in surprise.He raised his glass and drank calmly. "It was supposed to be for her sister's tuition.""Jadeis a part of this family, Grandfather, and you will afford her some respect," I snapped, my fingers tightening on Jade's hand."Are you playing house now? Surely you know what a terrible idea that is, trying to make her fit where she does not belong!"In all my life, I had never raised my voice to my grandfather, but I found myself very tempted to do so now. He was impossible, and I couldn't let him treat Jade this way."Does my son not belong here too? Because you can't tell me he does, then in the next breath, claim that the woman who raised him does not!""The woman you impregnated," he said as a point of correction."This has to stop, Grandfather." I couldn't believe what I was hearing."It's alright, Michael," Jade said as she placed