Fuck. There was no winning this conversation.
“Course you are. Any man would be damn lucky to have you. Maybe Viv and I can come over this weekend and take Brooklyn out to dinner so you can give it a go.”
Cori shook her head. “Look, Kane. You’ve only known Brooklyn a couple weeks. I don’t want you bringing women around her.”
I bristled. “It’s not women, it’s only one. Viv and I are together.”
“Sure, but . . . for how long? It’s not good for our daughter to meet every person you go out with.”
The server returned with our sandwiches and we ate in silence. This wasn’t going according to plan. When we finished eating, I picked up the check from the table.
“I have to run payroll at work today so I need to go in early,” I said, getting up from the table.
“Okay, well . . . thanks for lunch. Do you want to come over for dinner this weekend?”
Did I want to have dinner with Cori? Not really. But for now, it was the only way I could see Brooklyn.
“Sure. Text me when and I’ll be there.”
She smiled. “Great. See you then, Kane.”
I drove back to the city in a pensive mood. This shit, I hadn’t seen coming from a mile away. Cori didn’t want Brooklyn meeting Viv. I couldn’t possibly hurt Viv by telling her that.
For now, I’d have to keep the peace by only seeing Brooklyn on Cori’s terms. But I sure as fuck didn’t have to like it.
Viv
I dialed Kane on my cab ride to the airport. When he answered, all I heard was the din of music in the club behind him.
“Hang on,” he said loudly. After a minute, the sound of the music went away. “Hey, sorry. Had to come back to my office.”
“Hi,” I said, missing him already.
“Hey. You on your way? We’ve got that spicy soup you like tonight.”
I sighed. “Sadly, no. I’m on my way to the airport.”
“The airport?”
“Yes. I have to go track a client down in LA. A childish, inconsiderate client who makes me want to scream most every day.”
“On Friday night, though?” His tone was disappointed. We hadn’t seen much of each other this week due to work schedules.
“I know. I’m going now so I can fly home tomorrow night. I didn’t want to get in on Sunday night and have to go right back to work Monday morning. Can we raincheck on dinner til tomorrow night?”
“I’m going to Cori’s tomorrow night.”
“Oh. Damn. I mean, good because I want you to see Brooklyn, but . . . I miss you.”
“Miss you, too. How ‘bout I come over when I’m done over there? She goes to bed by nine and I should be back in the city around ten.”
“Yes. I’d love that.”
“Text me when you get to L.A., alright? And don’t stay in some shithole motel, they’re not safe.”
I smiled. “I’m billing the client, so I will definitely not be staying in a shithole.”
“Okay. See you tomorrow, babe.”
“Bye.”
I hung up and laid my head against the window of the cab. Nothing like ending a busy work week with a quick cross-county trip. Especially when I was going just to get a signature from a playboy actor with nothing to do but annoy me.
Hopefully I could sleep on the flight. And I’d have extra time with Kane soon. I was already planning to take most of next week off for Christmas. He and I were spending the day together and flying out the day after to see my parents. He didn’t seem freaked out by it at all.
Everything was going so well. Now I just needed Henley’s signature on his divorce papers.
Henley Cartwright was playing games with me. We’d texted back and forth about where I could find him, but he wouldn’t give me a straight answer. I was sitting on the bed of my hotel room eating macadamia nuts from the mini bar–which he’d be paying for–when my phone rang with another text from him.
Henley: Got plans tonight? How do u feel about threesomes?
Me: My plans are to get your signature and fly home. Where can I meet up with you?