Page 81 of Love Gamble
“Damon’s baby,” I admit, dipping my brush in the blue paint. “And whether or not we are being assholes.”
“You are not,” she assures me, taking a sip of her coffee. Now that things are back to normal, she’s back at work as a property manager. While we do have an office here, she usually goes out to have meetings with clients. Today must be one of those days, because she is dressed to business perfection in a black suit, with red lipstick sealing the deal. “When you find out the truth, then you can go from there, but right now you’re all in limbo, which sucks.”
She stands up and comes over to see what I’m painting. “That’s beautiful. I have to go to work now, but I’ll see you later this afternoon.”
She kisses me on the cheek and leaves.
I stare at the butterfly I’ve painted. It’s flying over the desert, off into the sunset. Looking at it just makes me think of Matthew and smile. I smile wider thinking of how Damon hung the painting of him in his bedroom, and he stops to admire it whenever he walks past.
Over this last week, I’ve had a lot of time to think about what I want to do in life, and I’ve decided to go back to college next fall and finish my business degree. As much as I’ve been enjoying my time off, I’m getting a little antsy now, and want something to challenge me a little more. And with my degree, I can help the MC continue to build their empire and create generational wealth for all the members in the club.
“Am I interrupting your creativity?” Damon asks as he steps outside, holding a plate of snacks.
“No, you are my muse, remember? And what do you have there?” I ask, putting my brush down.
“Well, you always stock the house with everyone’s favorite foods, and all the men love you for it. And I love you for being so thoughtful. But today I went and got allyourfavorites and made it into a platter for you,” he says, presenting it to me. “And proof that I pay attention to you.”
“That is very sweet,” I say, eying the carefully picked plate of my all-time-favorite chocolates, fruit, and sweets. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” he says, giving me a kiss.
I touch his leather cut. “You heading out?”
“Yeah, we’re going for a ride and then I have to go to Devil’s Play.”
“That reminds me, I need to text Echo. She wanted to catch up. I should tell her to come over here and she can hang out.”
His hands slide down to my hips, and he pulls me in for a kiss. “Sounds good. I’m sure the prospects will enjoy having a single woman around.”
“She’s not coming for them,” I say, arching my brow. “I’ll see you later.”
“Love you,” he says, disappearing back inside. I pull out my phone to text her before I forget.
Corey: Drinks here tomorrow night?
Echo: Perfect! I have work until nine, but I’ll come straight there after.
Corey: Great, I’ll see you then.
Echo: Want me to bring anything?
Corey: Just yourself.
The next two hours are spent finishing both the platter and the painting, and once I check out the final product, I decide to mail it to my mom instead of keeping it.
She needs some peace in her life.
“Where are you off to?” Jag asks when he sees me grabbing my keys with my bag slung across my shoulder.
“I thought I’d go to the store and get some food and alcohol for the party I’m throwing tomorrow night,” I say, and his eyes light up. “I’ve invited Echo over. Do you want to invite anyone?”
“Yes, I’d like to invite the good doctor. I don’t know if she’ll come, but a man can dream.”
“She better come, otherwise you aren’t doing it right,” I joke as I head out the door, closing it on his laughter.
“The good doctor,” I mutter to myself in amusement. In all honesty, I’d like to meet this Dr. Shine.
I do a big grocery shop, then get some alcohol and mixers. For my last stop, I walk back into the crystal store, and head to the counter where Rosalind is standing, writing something down in a notebook.