“Is it too much?”
“Yeah, a little.It's kind of terrifying.”She lets out a little laugh.
Zoe starts dancing and talking to the robot, showing it toys.I walk over to Gemma.
“Sorry.I should have asked you.It’s not really a toy.”
“Scared the fluff out of me when it said hello.”Gemma uncrosses her arms and places a hand on my chest.
I want to cover it, tell her to stay there for the rest of her life.
“Gem.”
“Drew, not yet.”She nods at Zoe.“Stay for dinner.Then we can talk.”
I let out a breath I was holding and cup her face.
“I’m not going anywhere.”
Then I lean in, because, fuck me, this might be the last chance, and I kiss her cheek.
Her hand covers it as she blushes.
“Okay, let’s get this robot working.”I wink at Gemma and rip off my tie, shoes, and jacket, then get down on the ground with Zoe.
A few hours later, Zoe hugs me goodnight, and my nerves return.
––––––––
GEMMA WALKS BACK intothe living room and drops down on the sofa beside me.
“Feels like I had ten birthdays and Christmases all at once.”She shoots me a shy look.
“I got your attention.It worked.”
“It got you invited to dinner.That’s all,” Gemma says.
Right.
She wants to know about Anthony.Well, if I’m going to be rejected and have my heart ripped out of my chest, I guess Gemma is worthy.
“You want to know about your husband.”My voice is flat.
Gemma studies me, then shakes her head.“No.Yes.In time.”
Jesus, my heart rate is dangerously high.
“What do you want, Drew?From me.With us?”
I turn, lay my arm along the sofa and tear off all my protective layers.I know this is my one and only chance.
I take bigger risks than most people in business, so if I can’t find my balls now to keep this woman, I am not worthy of her.
“I want you.I want you so fucking much, and I don’t just mean sex.That too, just in case we are keeping score, but everything else.”
“I have a daughter.”
“Yes, you do.”
