Page 15 of Platinum Love: A BWWM Romance
I sit for ten more minutes staring at his message. “It’s business. He’s officially an employee, and I’m officially starting my own business.” Lies, my inner voice screams. I feel the need to clarify for my soul’s sake. “I am starting this business, and I’m getting that million dollars.”
Ben is different. I know it like I know Lewis is an ass using me for my name. He was arm candy for me too. But I ain’t the sharing type of chick. That pic was all the evidence I needed to move on.
To be a boss, I have to get my shit together. No more pretenders. No more drama. I thrust my hand into my purse, pulling out my journal and a pen. I mindlessly scribble words across the page.
Daddy taught me to write it down, and it works. Prom queen. My car. My life. And now, my business. I write it, declaring it before I toss the journal back in my purse.
I’m tired of quitting. Daddy is drawing the line, and I hope he’s ready to sign that check because this is going down. I roll my shoulders back and enter Ben’s address into the navigation.
I turn the key in the ignition, closing my eyes for a quick prayer. Please don’t let me drive over there and leave worse than I am in this moment.
I’m ready for Ben. I just hope I don’t lose my heart in the process.
Chapter 7
Hunter
I stopped in front of a cute two-story house. The area is a modest working-class neighborhood with SUVs parked in driveways. A group of kids roll by on bicycles stopping to appreciate my car.
I step out, walking to the front door. I’ve said my speech a million times, and each time the knot in my stomach pulled tighter. I set the time on my phone I can’t be late to my own focus group. Then I push the doorbell.
I hear the chime through the door. I turn to the street, chuckling as my car draws a small crowd. Men and their love of cars.
The door opens behind me. I turn to see Ben. He looks exhausted.
“Come in.” He smiles, and the tension in my body leaves.
“You really should do that more often.”
He shakes his head. “Woman, come inside.”
“Yes, sir.” I joke. He glances out at the street. “Should I park in the driveway?”
“Nah you good. Would you like something to drink? Something to eat?” He motions to the couch.
“No. I can’t stay long.”
“Well, let’s get to it.” Ben sits beside me, his hands twisting inside one another. “Look, Jo, I didn’t mean—”
“Ben, can we forget it and move on?” I don’t want to hear him say he made a mistake. I can see it written on his face. I turn away from his assessing gaze digging in my purse for my journal. “I have my Plan B. Let’s just start there.”
“I’ll get my laptop.” He seemed to hesitate, but then he turned, going down a long hallway.
I slump back, and the sound of footsteps grab my attention. I sit up ready to fight my attraction to this man, and I see a little round face.
“Pappa?” His face with a little red nose, big brown eyes, and unruly curls and my heart melts.
“Uh…hi”
Sniffle. “Hi.” She pulls a blanket to her face, and I see the rest down the hall like a wedding train.
“Want to sit down? You don’t look too good.”
“I don’t feel too good.” She drags over, climbing up on the couch beside me. I can feel the heat from her little leg against mine.
“You must be Zoe.” She nods. “Your…uh…papa should be back in a second.”
Ben is a father. I reach over, pulling up the end of her blanket gathering it around her warm body. My eyes assess her face that looks just like his, as her eyes struggle to remain open. Then she snuggles closer.